Twigs Way Books

Produced by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Allotment and Garden Guides were issued monthly throughout 1945. Aimed at the amateur gardener, they were to be the final rallying call in the wartime campaign to Dig for Victory.

Set in a vibrant garden, the story unfolds with a whimsical exploration of nature and friendship. The characters, a group of playful crocodiles, embark on adventures that highlight the beauty of their surroundings and the importance of camaraderie. As they navigate challenges and discover hidden wonders, themes of curiosity, teamwork, and the joy of exploration are woven throughout. The narrative invites readers to appreciate the small delights in life while fostering a sense of wonder about the natural world.

More popular now than ever, the allotment is part of the fabric of British life. This is the ideal story of this phenomenon by the subject's leading historian.

A vibrantly illustrated history of the chrysanthemum through philosophy, art, literature and death.

Part garden history, part social history, this is the first book to celebrate the story of the British tea garden, born in the eighteenth century, at its height in the Edwardian era, and now undergoing a serious revival.

In 1941 Lord Woolton, Minister for Food, was determined that the Garden Front would save England: 'Dig for Victory' was the slogan, digging for dinner the reality. This book offers a fully illustrated look at the time when gardening saved Britain.

Almost eighty years after her death, Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) is still one of the most influential of all English garden designers. Best known for her superb use of colour schemes in her hallmark flower borders, she combined an early training in art with self taught horticultural skills. Early influences included William Morris, John Ruskin and William Robinson but it is her partnership with the architect Edwin Lutyens that produced some of the most distinctive of Edwardian houses and gardens. From her house (and nursery) at Munstead Wood, Surrey, Jekyll designed over 400 gardens across Britain and Europe, and some in America - where her archive of designs and drawings is now held.Alongside her close friend Ellen Willmott she was one of the first women to gain the coveted RHS Victoria Medal. Through her articles and books she became the defining voice of early to mid 20th century garden design, creating a style many gardeners still aspire to today. This book will explore her life, influences on her early work in art and crafts, the transfer to Munstead Wood and working relationship with Edwin Lutyens, as well as her own writings and achievements. Her involvement with early women?s gardening schools, and worker?s movements will also be examined afresh. A final chapter will examine her legacy and recent re-assessments and restorations of her work in England and abroad.

Exploring the diverse contributions of women in gardening, this book spans from the influential Tudor queens to the everyday peasant herb wives. It highlights how women shaped gardening practices and traditions across different social classes and historical periods, revealing their vital role in cultivating both plants and culture. Through engaging narratives, it uncovers the often-overlooked stories of women who have nurtured gardens throughout history, celebrating their impact on horticulture and society.

Topiary, the art of creating sculpture in clipped plants, originated with the Romans and experienced periods of popularity during the Renaissance and Jacobean eras. This book reveals the history of topiary. Amateurs in the art can purchase 'preformed' rabbits and deer to graze suburban lawns.

Beans as bullets', 'Vegetables for Victory' and 'Cloches against Hitler': these slogans convey just how vital gardening and growing food were to the British war effort during the Second World War.