to gardener, plantswoman and writer Beth Chatto who died a few days ago aged 94.
She was an artist with plants and I loved her garden. After my first visit there many years ago I wrote to her to say how much I liked it and was surprised and delighted to receive a charming hand written reply to my letter.
She was successful on the micro level - her detailed descriptions of plants and flowers made you want to really look closely at every one, and on the macro level - her extensive garden is a brilliant composition and all about the plants. In between in scale I saw one of her gold medal winning stands at Chelsea - a masterly arrangement of form and colour (a skill she cleverly describes well in terms of asymmetric triangles).
I've read all her books and trust them completely.
She has inspired so many people. Have you visited her garden or read her books?