Throughout history, gardeners have been compelled to put pen to paper to capture the beauty, record seasonal changes, and ponder about their beloved plots. Claire Masset’s new book, Garden Voices: A Year of Gardeners’ Writing brings together these musings – drawn from diaries, letters and articles – in an engaging anthology organized around the calendar year. Her lecture will highlight both world famous gardeners and lesser-known – though no less inspiring – garden writers. She will present writings from artists Claude Monet and Vanessa Bell, and poets Celia Thaxter and Derek Jarman. She will discuss their horticultural philosophy as recorded through their words and reflections. Using paintings and photographs, she also will provide a glimpse into thoughts of some of the world’s most creative artists, revealing their gardens to be sources of both artistic and personal expression.

Claire Masset has degrees in art and architectural history from St. Andrews and Oxford. She is the publisher for the National Trust in charge of gardening books. Her journalism has appeared in Country Life, BBC Homes & Antiques, Historic Gardens Review, Gardens Illustrated, Art Quarterly, and The English Garden magazine. Her books include the bestselling Secret Gardens of the National Trust, and Cottage Gardens. She recently won the Roger Deakin Award from the Society of Authors.

Zoom Rental
Available Tuesday, May 19 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 19 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)

$15 members; $25 non-members and guests