Nature and gardening have inspired centuries of poets to wax lyrical on the subject: from Wordsworth's daffodils to Thomas Moore's "Last Rose of Summer", Sylvia Plath's "Mushrooms" and D.H. Lawrence's "Red Geranium and Godly Mignonette". This charming collection spans the aeons of time, focusing on every aspect of nature and horticulture from gardens, plants, insects and more. Eclectic subjects such as slugs and caterpillars are addressed by Sharon Olds and Christina Rosetti whilst A.E. Housman's "A Shropshire Lad" provides an endless treasure trove of verse on nature, gardens and flowers. A balanced collection full of humour, love, wonder and awe, each poem is accompanied by a stunning botanical print gleaned from the Royal Horticultural Society's vast Lindley Library making this a delightful gift for any gardener. - Lucy Watson

Charles Elliott is an editor and writer who lives in London and gardens in Monmouth near the Welsh border. He is a regular contributor to Horticulture magazine, and has been a magazine editor and senior editor for Alfred A. Knopf in New York. He has written several books, including The Potting Shed Papers and More Papers from the Potting Shed. He lives in Monmouthshire and West London.