Review: The Kew Gardener’s Guide

Looking for a Christmas gift for a gardener? Two new books in The Kew Gardener’s Guide series may solve your problem.

It’s all very well having books on designing gardens or combining plants, sometimes what you want is clear, straightforward instruction on the practicalities. It’s something that both The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Fruit by Kay Maguire and The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Bulbs by Richard Wilford deliver in spadefuls.

I was sent both books to review.

Clearly written and attractively laid out, they are thorough enough to cover both topics fully yet still retain the handy pocket-size feel, albeit a large pocket. From the attractive hardback covers to the pages illustrated with photographs and botanical drawings from Kew’s library, these are books that entice you in.

Both open with an overview of their topics: why you should grow fruit or bulbs, where they can be grown and the different types – for the purposes of the bulb book, corms, tubers and rhizomes are included alongside true bulbs.

The extend of the advice given ranges from an explanation of hardiness zones for fruit, and how to naturalize bulbs, to different rootstocks for fruit trees and propagating bulbs.

The Giant Lily pictured in The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Bulbs
The Giant Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteaum) can reach more than 2m tall.

The bulk of both books is given over to profiles of different plants. The fruit book has sections on top fruit, soft fruit and nuts, and includes more unusual crops, such as kiwi fruit and persimmon alongside the more common apples and strawberries.

Similarly, The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Bulbs has the obvious daffodils and snowdrops as well as the Tiger Flower (Tigridia pavonia) and the unusual Firecracker Flower (Dichelostemma ida-maia), which is pollinated by hummingbirds in the wild.

Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum).

Every entry has information on where and how to grow, cultivation tips and interesting facts; evidently goji berries were introduced to the UK in 1730 and originally grown for hedging and ornamental use rather than food.

Woven through both books are ‘projects’, including making a bulb lasagne, planting a winter bulb garden and making damson gin or dried fruit.

They conclude with a ‘troubleshooting’ section offering advice on problems with growing, pests, diseases and giving a handy guide to seasonal jobs.

While much of the information is probably too basic for the seasoned gardener, they are perfect for the novice, or someone who wants to extend what they grow.

The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Bulbs by Richard Wilford, is published by White Lion Publishing, RRP £12.99. Buy now for £9.35 on Amazon. (If you buy through this Amazon link, I get a small fee. The price you pay is not affected.)

The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Fruit by Kay Maguire, published by White Lion Publishing, RRP £12.99. Buy now for £7.79 on Amazon. (If you buy through this Amazon link, I get a small fee. The price you pay is not affected.)

Images are copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

You can read more of my garden and garden-related book reviews here.

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