Every Lady a Gardener: A Selection of Writings about Gardens and Gardening by 19th Century Women

A selection of writings about gardens and gardening by six 19th-century women, compiled by Dee Palmer. The selections in this recording are from The Florist’s Manual by Maria Jacson (published 1816), Every Lady Her Own Flower Gardener by Louisa Johnson (1839), Practical Instructions in Gardening for Ladies by Mrs Jane Loudon (1840), Days and Hours in a Garden by Mrs Eleanor Vere Boyle (1884), Pot-Pourri from a Surrey Garden by Mrs C. W. Earle (1897), and "Selections from the writings of Gertrude Jekyll" (1899 - 1918).

Compiler Dee Palmer is a journalist and writer with a special interest in gardening. When she started the research for this audiobook, she expected to find many differences between the experiences of 19th-century women gardeners and those of today. Instead, she was struck by how modern much of their advice is, and her personal selection from the writings of these six women reflects that.

Reader Marilyn Cutts graduated from Manchester University with a degree in English and a post-graduate diploma in drama. After starting at Derby Playhouse, she had her first taste of a commercial musical with a tour of Godspell! In 1983 she co-founded the group Fascinating Aida with Dillie Keane, leaving to pursue a solo career after the group was nominated for an Olivier award for their 20-year reunion tour, One Last Flutter. Her voice over work varies from documentaries, such as Defender of the Children for Yorkshire TV, to education tapes for IT students.

The music is composed by Richard Bissill and played by Richard Bissill (piano) and Susan Thomas (flute) The cover illustration is A Garden in October, Aldworth by Helen Allingham. It is reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford.