Selected for The Times Best Gardening Books of the Year 2023

Every garden, large or small, in a town or in the country, even one formed completely by pots, can be a living dance of lavish colours, glorious scents and pollen-rich flowers alive to the sound of bird song and the buzz of bees.

In Planting a Paradise, Arthur Parkinson, bestselling author of The Flower Yard, focuses on what to grow through the seasons with an array of planting ideas and recommended varieties to inspire the experienced and novice gardener alike.

From his newly found love of muscari, narcissi and seeding grasses, to circuses of dahlias, luscious herbs, figs and crab apples, the result is not only a stunning living harvest but also an oasis for wildlife at a time when we need this style of gardening more than ever.

Praise for The Flower Yard:

'Simply gorgeous' - Nigel Slater

'The Kew-trained king of the small-space garden' - Guardian

About the Author
Arthur Parkinson trained at Kew Gardens. After graduating, he pursued an interest in growing cut flowers by working for renowned gardener Sarah Raven. He continued to work for her as a florist, arranging flowers and teaching, and together they recorded the much-praised podcast Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange. Arthur designed a garden for the Emma Bridgewater factory in Staffordshire, which received wide acclaim, as did the accompanying book, The Pottery Gardener. His second book, The Flower Yard, was one of The Times Best Gardening Books of 2021. A guest presenter on BBC Gardeners' World, he has also written about gardening and keeping poultry for several newspapers and magazines and his memoir, Chicken Boy, was published in 2023. He shares his photography on Instagram.


Book Information
ISBN 9781914239670
Author Arthur Parkinson
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Kyle Books
Publisher Octopus Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 1000g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 192mm * 22mm