Episode 66: Beth Chatto: A Life With Plants with Catherine Horwood

Explore the lasting legacy of legendary plantswoman Beth Chatto and her revolutionary approach to horticulture. Biographer and author Catherine Horwood joins me to discuss drought-tolerant planting strategies, the famous "right plant, right place" principle, and timeless garden design wisdom you can apply to your own plot.

• Right Plant, Right Place: Discover how Beth Chatto transformed difficult, dry, and shady spots into thriving garden ecosystems by matching plants to their natural conditions.

• Drought-Resilient Design: Learn practical lessons from her famous gravel garden and how to manage water scarcity without sacrificing beauty.

• The Living Legacy: Hear personal stories and insights from Catherine Horwood on what it was like researching the life of one of Britain's most influential gardeners.

About Catherine Horwood:

Catherine is a freelance author and journalist and is the authorised biographer of Beth Chatto. As well as writing the recently released Beth Chatto: A Life With Plants, Catherine has written Rose (Reaktion, 2018) Gardening Women: Their Stories from 1600 to the Present (Virago, 2010) and contributes articles to Gardens Illustrated, The English Garden and several national newspapers.

What we talk about:

• Her early career in flower arranging
• How she changed to fit in with the socials circles she found herself moving in
• The move to White Barn House
• Her friendship with Christopher Lloyd
• The inspiration for the gravel garden
• Her awards and the recognition she gained worldwide
• Her legacy, the future of the nursery and the Beth Chatto Education Trust

Links:

Beth Chatto: A Life With Plants - Catherine Horwood, Pimpernel Press, 2019

Catherine Horwood www.catherinehorwood.com

The Beth Chatto Gardens www.bethchatto.co.uk

The Beth Chatto Nursery

Get in touch;

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