The Barton Court Roller Disco

Sir Terence and Lady Conran's Gardener, Jonathan Chidsey, at Barton Court.  From House & Garden, April 1991.

Gardening photos are inevitably ridiculous, but this... this was one of the finest I've seen.

Rocking a shirtless, hairy chest, wavy poof of blond hair, tennis socks, dangerously teensy hot pants (okay, fine, but they're close) and a neck bandanna, I wonder if Gardener Jonathan Chidsey rushed back from a skanky 70s roller disco, just in time for his shoot. 

Then again, perhaps that's why Sir Terance and Lady Conran hired him.  I'd like to think he actually gardened (and still gardens, for that matter) in this (lack of) attire.

Gorey's Gardening 101

Most people will recognize Edward Gorey (1925-2000) as the American artist known for his macabre illustrations, darkly comedic, nonsensical stories, and Masterpiece Theater animation.  What is little known, however, is that he had a thing or two to teach us about gardening:

House & Garden, November 1985