Aster divaricatus beth chatto biography

“I don’t think we’re going to have one, do you?” Beth Chatto replies when I mention the words “Indian summer.” The needs of plants and humans being different, her famously beautiful gardens (admission: £6) are powering away despite England’s intensely odd weather.

And they are a picture of glorious late summer.

“Gardening is a science and an art,” Beth Chatto, born in 1923, begins to explain. A German admirer approaches and says, “Excuse me, do you like music?” “Yes I do!” she responds politely.

“This garden is full of music,” continues our friend. “It has minor keys, major keys, shadows…” “Yes, and low notes and high notes,” adds Beth.

Aster divaricatus beth chatto biography

“It is a symphony!” he pronounces, before asking to take her picture. Here then, from a corner of Essex, southwest England, we bring you music, art and science:

Photographs by Kendra Wilson for Gardenista.

Above: Beth Chatto has horticulture covered.

She has created a garden with every condition–whether damp, shady or impossibly dry–and the plan