Christopher “Christo” Lloyd (1921-2006) was a lifelong gardener, primarily at his family home – Great Dixter in Sussex – and also a prolific gardening writer. This biography by Christo’s friend Stephen Anderton is an engaging account of a life shaped by unusual family circumstances and the norms of the day. It also tells the story of one of England’s best-known gardens.

Nat and Daisy Lloyd bought Dixter in the early 20th century and made it their family estate. Christo was the youngest of six children and still a boy when his father died. Daisy was very controlling and manipulative with all of her children, although she and Christo shared an interest in plants which drew them together. While his upbringing was traditional for his class and included boarding school which took him away from Daisy, they kept up a brisk correspondence, exchanged plants by mail, and were together during school holidays. Christo chose to live at Dixter as an adult and continued to tend the gardens with his mother. When she passed away he was free to forge his own path. Dixter was still his passion, but now he entertained his own friends and hosted events at the estate. He also took the garden in daring new directions that can still be seen today. Christo continued to develop professionally writing for Country Life magazine, publishing several books, and lecturing on gardening all over the world.

While these are all facts that can be gleaned from internet research, this biography provides deeper insight into the family dynamics, Christo’s creative process and personality, and the sad reality that his repressive childhood made it impossible for him to form romantic relationships. I was moved by accounts of Christo’s affection for young gardeners who worked at Dixter, especially when those men moved on in their careers leaving Christo alone once again. But this doesn’t mean he wasn’t loved; at the end of his life he was surrounded by close, caring friends who have since ensured his legacy lives on. ( )

Apart from being a most interesting biography written by a knowledgeable author, I found it very useful to read Stephen Anderton's assessments of Christopher Lloyd's gardening books. I have now borrowed 'The Well Tempered garden' from a library. Also his comparison of Lloyd's writings with those Vita Sackville-West were thought-provoking. I always thought her books were interesting to read - I guess I hadn't assessed their tone and attitude. ( )

An interesting book that goes some way to explaining the unusual life of the renown gardner Christopher Lloyd. From his early childhood with his overbearing mother, through his tome in the army and onto his later life at Dixter, this is a facinating and at times slightly sad book. The lloyd family is to say the least complicated and a little flawed, and it is easy to see where Lloyd aquired his somewhat unusual ideas and personal traits. ( )