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Book review & garden information by Seán A. O'Hara

Giardini La Mortella
Forio, Isola d'Ischia (Napoli), Italy

      Argentinian-born Lady Walton, MBE, now an expert plantsman and dedicated gardener, was just 22 when the composer William Walton, then 46, decided to marry her and take her back to Europe. From London they moved to Ischia in 1951; they were at the center of literary and musical circles on both sides of the Atlantic for the next three decades.
      Since the death of William in 1983, she has continued to develop the garden and musical activities at La Mortella which are a part of his legacy. Photographer John Ferro Sims first visited La Mortella in 1988 and has since returned many times to capture the garden in all seasons.
      Ideal for gardeners and lovers of gardens alike, this beautiful book tells the story of La Mortella, the garden created by Susana Walton on the Italian island of Ischia. More than 50 years in the making and originally designed by the legendary English landscape architect, Russell Page, this famous and enchanting tropical garden in the Bay of Naples boasts more than 300 rare plants.
      Now open to the public, La Mortella (the place of the myrtles) is canopied with vast rainforest trees. It has fountains and rivulets, lotus pools, scented plants, olives and wild roses; there is even a Thai tea house. It is truly one of the world’s great gardens. Royalties from the book will go to the William Walton Trust, of which HRH Prince Charles is the patron.