This handsome coffee-table book introduces the basics of organic gardening through a formal yet intimate tour of the prince of Wales's three stately gardens: Highgrove, the estate he uses as a demonstration organic farm and fund-raiser for charities; Clarence House, his London home, and Birkhall, “the most private of the Prince's gardens” at Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands. It appears to be written mainly by Donaldson (Peaceful Gardens
), with an introduction and selected quotations from Prince Charles, and includes standard subjects such as how to build soil, make compost and choose seed varieties, but also intriguing descriptions of more unusual experiments, such as the extensive rainwater collection and reed and willow pond water filtration system from which all the water at Highgrove is obtained. Avid gardeners will appreciate the detailed photos of woven willow plant supports and the movable bee house “honey factory.” Anglophiles will be charmed by photos of the prince laying hedges and filling bird feeders, and descriptions of those who work his gardens, such as Dennis Brown, 70-something manager of Highgrove's “productive” garden, who “leaves the Walled Garden at the end of the day” to cultivate vegetables “he hopes will trounce all comers at the local shows.” (Oct.)
