My Garden (Book)

Jamaica Kincaid's first garden in Vermont began as a plot in her front lawn, where she planted only seeds of flowers she preferred, surprising more experienced gardeners. In My Garden, Kincaid explores her loves and dislikes regarding gardening and plants with sharp discrimination and intensity. She loves spring and summer but dislikes winter for concealing the garden. Her preferences include the rhododendron Jane Grant and Blue Lake string beans, while she abhors the Asiatic lily. Kincaid examines sources of her gardening inspiration—seed catalogues, gardener Gertrude Jekyll, and gardens such as Monet's at Giverny—with close attention. She also considers the idea of the garden on Antigua, where she grew up. The book offers an intimate, playful, and penetrating examination of gardens, the plants within them, and those who cultivate them.