Elizabeth Lawrence (1) (1904–1985)

Two Gardeners is a delightful book about a friendship that just clicked from the very beginning. Emily Herring Wilson has compiled & edited the letters of Katharine White and Elizabeth Lawrence's nineteen year correspondence (1958 - 1977) which started with a simple fan letter to Katharine from Elizabeth. Katharine White (married to E.B. White) wrote reviews about gardening catalogs and Elizabeth just happened to respond to one such seed catalog review. Their correspondence grew from strictly talking about gardening to the more personal as time went on. They grew comfortable enough to share details of illnesses (their own and of family) and the trials of growing older. A real friendship starts to bloom despite only being pen pals and meeting once. I have to admit it was sad to hear about their growing illnesses.… (más)

One of my all time favourite books, even seeing the title brings back memories of sitting by the fireplace on a cold winter night reading seed and bulb catalogues. This book was written by one of the most admired of all garden writers, Elizabeth Lawrence, and recounts her correspondence with the people who used to advertise their plants, seeds, cuttings, and starts in the market bulletins put out by various state agricultural boards. Market bulletins still exist, most of them as electronic versions via the internet.… (más)