Beautiful & Useful
New plants, books, tools and creative designs, plus shopping inspiration
Sitting Pretty
A classic swing seat sits squarely in investment territory: not cheap but an item you’re likely to have for many years, if not generations. To stand a chance of enjoying one this summer, consider beginning your search or ordering now, since many are handmade to order. For a true classic, try vintage and garden antiques outlets such as Vinterior or UK Architectural Antiques, bearing in mind that you may need to reupholster, possibly in a ‘performance fabric’ that’s water-, mildew- and UV-resistant. Wilverleys and ODD are UK manufacturers of note. Upholstered Old Rocker in Vaas Delft by Emma Grant for ODD, from £6,200, oddlimited.com.
In the Round
There are many reasons to introduce a raised bed – protection from flooding and manipulating soil conditions being just two. Harrod Horticultural has introduced a round modular raised bed that could be the perfect home for a blueberry bush or herb garden. Made from galvanised steel, it’s available in a powder-coated finish in either cream or sage green. The bed doesn’t come with a base, but the top edge is rolled and covered with a rubber safety strip. Round modular raised bed, 80cm x 43cm, £75, harrodhorticultural.co.uk
A Short History of Flowers by Advolly Richmond
Frances Lincoln, £16.99
Plant and garden historian Advolly Richmond delves into the fascinating stories behind some of our best-known flowers. She has collated information from wide-ranging sources, introducing the reader to a
