The name of Beth Chatto is one of the most famous names in horticulture, renowned for her work as a plantswoman, lecturer and author. Starting in 1960 and working with her husband Andrew, Beth transformed desolate waste ground into a series of gardens which could thrive under different conditions, which remain today as the Beth Chatto Gardens and Nursery in Colchester. She was the inspiration behind the 'right plant, right place' ethos that lies at the heart of modern gardening.

Dr Catherine Horwood started her career as a journalist before before becoming a full-time writer. She writes for several gardening publications and has worked on exhibitions and broadcasts, especially on the history of women in horticulture. Catherine is the authorised biographer of Beth Chatto and has published ‘Beth Chatto: A Life with Plants’ using Beth Chatto’s archive, and including extracts from previously unpublished notebooks and diaries.