Horticulture
In this book gardening serves as both a metaphor and a subject for her prose. Kincaid's garden is described in thorough horticultural detail, but also, each flower triggers whatever associations she has about them, so conversations about horticulture often end up being conversations about human culture. She sees the flowers as a window for understanding the diversity of human life. She often wonders about the unspoken, invisible order that prohibits her from putting wisterias on her porch, for example. Horticulture has its own feng shui, it seems.
Travel, and the human experience
Kincaid is Antiguan, and her garden is in Vermont. In addition to this, Kincaid is passionate about traveling, and she discusses a beautiful trip to botanical gardens in China. She sees her flowers as representations of the parts of the world that they're from. So, instead of seeing only her Vermont setting, she sees the garden as a panorama of the earth, a collection of specimens from across the planet. In other words, she is celebrating diversity through curation.
Society, and gender roles
In addition to the more ethereal, naturalistic themes of this book, there are compelling discussions of society and gender roles. Kincaid wonders why the art of gardening is regarded the way it is in the culture. She also discusses motherhood, the reality of marriage and family versus her prior expectations, and the way women are perceived in the public sphere.
