
Beth Chatto: A Life With Plants, book review
Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter, reviews Beth Chatto: A Life With Plants, an intriguing insight into the personal life of one of the greatest gardeners of our time
Beth Chatto: a Life With Plants
By Catherine Horwood
Pimpernel Press
£30 ISBN 978-1910258828
The late Beth Chatto has long been a part of gardeners’ lives; she changed the way we think and look, and left a huge footprint on the horticultural world. In her books, lectures and interviews, Beth was extraordinarily open about her life, her influences, and the challenges she faced. Her Garden Notebook (published in 1988) and the exchange of letters between her and Christopher Lloyd in Dear Friend and Gardener (1998) have already given us an insight into her personal world, so could a biography add anything more? A book like this could so easily disappoint – especially if the biographer hasn’t dug deep.

Catherine Horwood’s book is, however, a triumph, beautifully crafted by an author who has thoroughly researched and understood her subject. She has concentrated on Beth Chatto the person, reading 30 years’ worth of her private diaries, and interviewing dozens of her friends, colleagues and family. From start to finish, this publication gives us a real understanding of Beth Chatto’s life.
The author paints a vivid picture, from Beth’s humble beginnings as a village constable’s daughter, gardening alongside her mother Bessie, to her romance with Andrew Chatto and their ensuing marriage, followed by family life with her daughters Mary and Diana, to her involvement with flower arranging, to her meeting with influential artist and iris breeder Sir Cedric Morris, to success and recognition, through to the final years. Beth’s drive and determination is clear from the start.
The text is well supported with black-and-white photographs from the family’s private collection, paintings and sketches by Andrew Chatto, as well as pages from Beth’s notebook. There is so much here to keep the reader gripped.

Niwaki bundle worth £57 when you subscribe
Subscribe to Gardens Illustrated magazine and claim your Niwaki bundle worth £57
*UK only

Transform your Garden- Special Edition
Transform Your Garden
This special edition features advice on designing your garden from the world’s top garden designers, including top tips for redesigning your plot or creating a new garden from scratch.
Discover eight inspirational gardens in town and country, and beautiful planting ideas for year-round colour. Learn how to make the most of a small space, how to cope with a slope, and the ten most common mistakes people make, according to professional garden designers, and how to avoid them.
Enjoy insights on everything from paths and parking spaces to wildflowers and water features, so that you can be confident in starting to create the garden of your dreams.
Just £9.99 inc UK p&p
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Gardens of the Globe
From botanical wonders in Australia to tranquil havens closer to home in Ireland, let this guide help you to discover some of the most glorious gardens around the world
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.