A Secret Garden: The Story of Darts Hill Garden Park

PUBLISHED BY

The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society with the assistance of the
City of Surrey Cultural Grants Program

The Story of Darts Hill Garden Park

The book traces the lives of Ed and Francisca Darts who transformed their rough, stump-covered acreage into an acclaimed garden containing rare and unusual shrubs and trees, many grown from seed. Francisca became one of the most knowledgeable garden experts in western Canada in the era of “super plantswomen.” Beloved for her enthusiasm and generosity in sharing her immense knowledge of plants, Francisca was associated with many of the most respected groups and individuals in the gardening community of her time. The book is also the history of the gardening community in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia during her era.

200+ colour and B&W images

Printed in Canada

ISBN 978-1-9995465-0-2

Pages: 146

Price: $15.00
To purchase, visit the garden on Open Days.
Cash, Cheque, debit or credit card accepted

REVIEWS

"This much anticipated history of Darts Hill Garden by Margaret Cadwaladr is well told and beautifully illustrated. Beyond describing Francisca Darts’ amazing horticultural journey, Cadwaladr brings to the page a fascinating cast of local characters and a lucid, evocative record of the times. It is a delightful tribute to Francisca and her wonderful garden."

Douglas Justice

Associate Director, Horticulture & Collections, UBC Botanical Garden

"The garden’s story needed to be told."

Alleyne and Barbara Cook

"A Secret Garden is the remarkable tale of the life of Ed and Francisca Darts. Cadwaladr has skilfully woven together many threads; the Darts life together, the early beginnings of the garden with a fruit and nut orchard and the development of Darts Hill Garden Park into the unique garden it is today. A charming book, a pleasure to read!"

Susan M. Murray

Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society is delighted that Margaret Cadwaladr has written A Secret Garden: the Story of Darts Hill Garden Park; a wonderful book about the life and times of Edwin and Francisca Darts, the garden’s founders. Margaret Cadwaladr has a special interest in life writing, garden history and memoir which was inspired by a graduate-level multidisciplinary course at UBC. She holds a Dip. Adult Ed, MA from UBC. Margaret has published five books including In Veronica’s Garden: The Social History of the Milner Gardens and Woodland.

Margaret is also a highly regarded public speaker. To arrange a speaking engagement about A Secret Garden: the Story of Darts Hill Garden Park, please contact Margaret Cadwaladr directly.
Contact Margaret

© Copyright The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society

PUBLISHED BY

The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society with the assistance of the City of Surrey Cultural Grants Program

The Story of Darts Hill Garden Park

REVIEWS

Douglas Justice

Alleyne and Barbara Cook

Susan M. Murray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society with the assistance of the
City of Surrey Cultural Grants Program