Old Herbaceous

Old Herbaceous tells the story of Bert Pinnegar, who’s been a gardener from the time he was a child, to when he’s an old man looking back on his life and reliving his memories. Thanks to a mentor, he develops an early love of plants and flowers. He begins his working life as a fourteen-year-old when he’s hired to work as a gardener’s boy in the manor house.

The narrative takes us through the years as he works day in and day out in the garden that he loves, learning everything he can from the crotchety head gardener, from the lady of the manor, Mrs Charteris, and whatever books he can lay his hands on.

The years go by, the old head gardener passes, and Bert is offered the position. Suddenly, he’s an important personage, who’s being consulted by the village council, and being invited to county fairs and flower shows to judge the contestants.

Through his life, Mrs Charteris, takes an interest in him. She advises him, guides him, and cares about his well-being, even as she argues with him about which flowers should go into which border. This is one of the best parts of the book, the kindly and mutually respectful relationship between employer and employee who have a bond of friendship based on their shared love of gardens and flowers.

Beginning in the late 19^th century and going on into the 1950’s, Bert Pinnegar’s life covers a period of time that was significant in the history of England. Between the two wars, a depression and post war rationing, it’s a time of great turmoil. But in this quiet English village things go on mostly as they always have, even though it’s hard to get help at times, and the ageing gardener is left doing more than he really can.

This is a gentle and immersive tale that belongs to a time long gone. There’s plenty of nostalgia here as the protagonist looks back on his life with fondness tinged with a sense of loss for a world and a way of life that’s gone for good.