Better Against a Wall: Garden Writings - Tapa dura

'[Ursula Buchan] makes a witty and warm companion, and imparts much practical information to boot' "No one writes with more clarity (and wit) about gardening than Ursula Buchan." -- Anna Pavord "England has a proud tradition of garden writing as literature. Ursula Buchan has signally contributed to that tradition." -- Sir Roy Strong "Deftly structured and concise. This is a perfect book for dipping into." -- The Field 20040101 "Buchan's prose is light and refreshing. ... Buchan is a self-deprecating and down to earth writer" -- The Field 20040101 "Buchan relishes her subject ... her irreverent manner makes for amsuing reading." -- The Field 20040101 "Another fine collection of gardening journalism ... an ideal gift for someone who loves gardening, the sort of gift you end up keeping yourself because you can't bear to let it go." -- The Countryman 20040101 "This assortment of prime picks from 15 years of Buchan's writing provides a witty and wacky perspective on all things green, from snakes to seaweed, and every wild possibility in between." -- The Good Book Guide 20031101 "Ursula writes with knowledge and authority, but also with great humour ... Put this by your bed and enjoy its eclectic charms." -- Gardener's World 20040401 "Lively, humorous and encouraging, this is a great read" -- The Field 20040101

The entertaining and practical pieces which make up "Better Against a Wall" are selected from the best of Ursula Buchan's journalism from the past fifteen years and demonstrate her highly individual take on gardening and modern gardeners. Politics, practicalities and personalities of the gardening world all find a place in this collection, alongside flowers, garden design, ecological friends and foes. She shivers at the thought of grass snakes, warms to the soft perfection of Shirley Poppies, hunts for plants in Nepal, fails to master machinery, pulls a fast one with climbers and somehow manages to give seaweed a good press.