The author, who died last year, was a pioneering biomedical scientist and poet as well as a keen gardener. Both of those aspects of his talent as evident in this work, where he discusses his spectacular hillside garden in Perthshire. Over 40 years experience of "marginal gardening", which involves mainly native plants, which once establish require minimal maintenance, form the basis of this book. G. F. Dutton chronicles a year in his garden, created from wilderness, highlighting the plants of each season, and how particular areas have changed over their lifetime. He doesn't shy away from both the challenges of such gardening and the mistakes he has made, but his commitment to the idea, and his poetic vision make an engrossing and highly appealing book.

As well as a description of one man's garden, there is a final section on the general principles of marginal gardening and planting lists which could be useful for anyone embarking on a similar project. ( )