num_pages: 336
description: First published in 1982, The Damp Garden followed Beth Chatto's immensely influential book The Dry Garden. Recognized as classics of their subjects, they tell the story of her famous gardens in Elmstead Market, Essex. Full of the insights and practical advice of one of the world's foremost plantswomen and designers, The Damp Garden demonstrates how these gardens have more in common with American growing conditions than those normally associated with Great Britain. For the practical-minded gardener, The Damp Garden describes what is involved in digging a pond, what to do about the unwelcome wildlife it attracts and how to cope with poor drainage or compacted soil. An entire chapter is devoted to garden plans, with schemes for swamp gardens, shady damp borders and meadow beds. Each is broken down into groups of plants that associate well with one another, thus making it possible to adapt the plans to even the smallest plot. There is an alphabetical list of the many plants suitable for damp soil, with information about their size, shape, foliage and flowering season; also a fascinating chapter on the natural habitats of many garden plants. In a new introduction to this edition, Thomas Fischer provides a perspective on Chatto's style and its influence on gardeners in America. He has revised the plant index to make it more useful to North American gardeners.
language: English
title: The damp garden
publisher: J.M. Dent & Sons