The Haphazard Gardener is an autobiographical account of my gardening years at Orchards, Rowfant, Sussex - formerly the home and garden of my late parents - gardening author, journalist and photographer Arthur Hellyer and his wife Gay. To take on the seven acre garden of such a professional amateur should have been overwhelming but it was a pleasure. As his daughter, a working amateur gardener - my story is quite unique. I have written this account of my parents and my time at Orchards because in there own ways, both of our journeys were exceptional. Their vision - turning the scrubby field into a smallholding through the war years - to the mature garden which I took on, was extraordinary. My planting and development of the garden further enhanced the woodland setting; reaching an entirely new dimension after meeting my husband Philip. The garden, now closed to the public, gave enormous pleasure to the visitors who came; Arthur - whose books are still lauded by gardening professionals - shared his love of plants and gardening with thousands. This book will bring back memories to all the visitors who were able to enjoy his garden.