"I want to have a border all yellow, every shade of yellow from fieriest orange to nearly white, and the amount of work and studying of gardening books it costs me will only be appreciated by beginners like myself...I want it to be a succession of glories from May till the frosts, and the chief feature is to be the number of "ardent marigolds"—flowers that I very tenderly love—and nasturtiums...Then there are to be eschscholtzias, dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, scabiosa, portulaca, yellow violas, yellow stocks, yellow sweet-peas, yellow lupins—everything that is yellow or that has a yellow variety...You go through a little pine wood, and, turning a corner, are to come suddenly upon this bit of captured morning glory. I want it to be blinding in its brightness after the dark, cool path through the wood."
Extract from 'Elizabeth and her German Garden' by Elizabeth von Arnim
This book was recommended to me by dovegreyreader and describes the creation of a garden in Pomerania at the end of the nineteenth century. The witty, self-deprecating style and lyrical description of the experience of gardening is so engaging that I started reading it again as soon as I had finished. You can find it in Project Gutenberg.
such passion.
ReplyDeleteIndeed - although I am not entirely convinced by a whole border of yellow flowers. Not at all restful.
DeleteLovely descriptive prose - I have heard of this book being recommended before and really must add it to my list of 'books to be read'. p.s. where on earth is Pomerania I wonder - stupid question, it must be in Germany.
ReplyDeletePomerania was on the edge of the Baltic Sea and is now divided between Germany and Poland. There are wonderful descriptions of skating and sleigh rides - I so want to ride in a sleigh!
DeleteDid you make a list of the roses?? I wonder if any are still available. It's such a lovely book.
ReplyDeleteThey all sounded very grand. She was very fond of hybrid teas which are not so fashionable today. We are spoilt with all the gorgeous David Austin roses - shape, scent and repeat flowering - she would have loved them.
ReplyDeletethat was one of my mother's favourite books. And Enchanted April!
ReplyDeleteScabiosa to me is a purple flower. I too plan a yellow corner.
I was surprised at the Scabiosa because I have only seen blue, pink and white varieties. A pale lemon Scabiosa would look very pretty.
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