Christopher Lloyd was a passionate gardener with much practical experience from running his own extensive gardens at Great Dixter, Sussex. This book with over thirty sections under six main headings covers almost every aspect of gardening in a fresh and questioning manner, often dispelling long held opinions.

In addition the book is illustrated with many of the author's own photographs (1973 edition). It also has a glossary and substantial index.

Christopher Lloyd's writing is outspoken, opinionated, witty, entertaining, authoritative, practical, informative, one could go on, but above all it is a sheer pleasure to read. Without doubt Christopher Lloyd was one of the greatest garden writers, and this book must rank among his best. This offering notwithstanding its age is an absolute gem; with so many shallow gardening books now being published writing such calibre only goes to highlight the dearth of able garden writers today. ( )

Kenneth Cox, third-generation plant hunter, nurseryman and author of numerous garden books, has chosen to discuss Christopher Lloyd’s “The Well-Tempered Garden ", on FiveBooks (http://five-books.com) as one of the top five on his subject - Plant Hunting, saying that:
“…A classic garden text by a waspish and amusing writer who was also an excellent gardener. Lloyd’s style was gardening as theatre, and he loved the grand statement. I don’t always agree with him but I like the way he says it. It’s a book any non-gardener could pick up and read and not be bored.…”.
The full interview is available here:
http://thebrowser.com/books/interviews/kenneth-cox ( )