To date, Toby has published seven books which have been translated into a total of 13 languages. Their topics cover two main spectra - garden history and garden design.

Toby has always been fascinated by how gardens are a part of the zeitgeist, but also how they are a very individual expression of personal creativity. This is particularly evident in those gardens made by some of Britain’s wealthiest and most eccentric patrons.

Toby is also interested in the stroies of the ‘forgotten heroes of horticulture’, most notably the plant hunters who brought back from all corners of the globe the thousands of new plants which are now so familiar. These men endured huge hardships for little financial reward.

The same is true of the head gardeners who made the great country house gardens great, and who were incredibly skilled horticulturists and managers, but often poorly treated by their employers.

Designing gardens is another passion of Toby’s (and he often draws on garden history for inspiration) and he has produced two inspirational books which focus on the creation of smaller gardens. Each book contains 18 designs by Toby. His third design-focussed book, published in Danish, in addition to offering inspiration provides practical instruction as it guides the reader through the realities of making a new garden, from conception to completion. Since the book is based on his experience of making his own garden, there is nothing in it that he won't do himself!