My Garden, My Paradise: The Garden in New Zealand Literature
Christina Stachurski, (Ed.)

Hazard Press. Hardback. 2003. First edition. 124pp. Colour throughout. A very good copy. Gift inscription on first page.

My Garden, My Paradise: The Garden in New Zealand Literature will delight and inspire every gardener and everyone interested in New Zealand literature.

Sixty extracts and poems from works by over fifty of New Zealands finest writers express the beauty, joy and satisfaction of gardening, of growing food and flowers, of creating and enjoying a private haven.

To enhance the sensory feast the book is illustrated throughout with superbly evocative full colour photographs of gardens, flowers and arrangements inspired by the content of the prose and poetry selections. Extracts and poems celebrate colonial gardens, spring in the High Country, suburban riots of colour, feeling part of the land, Maori salad ingredients, Pukeiti in bloom, summer afternoons, gardens with secrets, a Japanese garden, a wild garden, a pyramid of tomatoes, and exchanging seeds with friends.

Family, ageing, love, philosophy, memory, comfort and humour are entwined with pruning, mulching, weeding, vegetables, herbs, fruit, trees, bonsai, bulbs and, of course, roses.

Authors and poets include: Mona Anderson, Lady Barker, Katherine Mansfield, Frank Sargeson, Charles Brasch, Robin Hyde, Keri Hulme, Sam Hunt, Bill Manhire, Elizabeth Smither, Lauris Edmond, Bub Bridger, Jenny Bornholdt, Joy Cowley, Barry Crump, Elizabeth Knox, Rachel McAlpine and Shona Koea.

My Garden, My Paradise captures and shares New Zealanders passion for their gardens, making it the perfect gift for oneself and others.