Seed catalogs, gardening books and National Geographic magazines going back to the 1930s line the walls, along with travel guides to Turkey, Bulgaria and Vietnam.

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Alys Fowler has written a number of books on gardening and has presented Gardeners' World on BBC Television.

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The directive allows for reduced VAT in several areas including water, food, audio books, restaurant service, gardening, nappies and energy itself - but not energy-saving products.

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One of its guide books waxes lyrical about Powis being "gardening on the grandest scale".

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These visitors, and online ones too, can also buy spiritual books, the work of local artisans, gardening supplies and fresh produce, including the monks' tasty white oyster mushrooms.

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