Apropos of the English penchant for gardening, a new book charts its history:
Creating a garden could enhance your political future no matter the cost. Lord Dudley (Earl of Leicester) spent the modern equivalent of £1 million on his new garden at Kenilworth Castle in an attempt to gain favour with Elizabeth l, while Lord Cecil was spending an equivalent £250,000 a year on improving Theobalds in Hertfordshire.
Too bad it's also to thank for the insanity of the American lawn.
The Dish 