There has been a wave of new books coming into the potting shed for tea break reading, but this one stood out well above the others. And now, six months later, I’m still intrigued and entranced by Stephen Parker’s study of gardens and the people who created them. To be honest, I wouldn’t be parted from this book. It’s beautifully-written and illustrated and Stephen has the knack of drawing you in and leading you around a garden, showing you all the best parts and lending insights into how they were created and why. It’s as much a book about people as the landscapes and I suppose we always want to try to get inside the heads of the creators to see what influenced and motivated them. Stephen entices you in and doesn’t disappoint.
Contents page. Tom Stuart-Smith’s Middle Terrace at Broughton Grange, Oxfordshire.
In-depth case studies focus on Chatsworth House, Longleat, The Lasket, Wrest Park, Rousham, I d in Esher, Surrey, Denmans Garden, Shute House, Hauser and Wirth, Somerset, East Ruston Old Vicarage, Highgrove, Thenford, Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, Broughton Grange, Oxfordshire, King’s Cross Gardens, and Lowther Castle.
Sissinghurst Wrest Park Wrest Park
In amongst the case studies are section on the influence of East Asia on the I’m uuiijgarden makers in the 18th Century.
The Great Pagoda at Kew Greens. The effects of plant hunters and the species they brought to Britain. Plant hunter George Forrest in China in 1925 Garden Sanctuaries
Every time I pick up this book I delve a little bit deeper into the backgrounds of these special places and learn more about the people who made them. It’s a very cheerful and enlightening read for cold winter days when inspiration and encouragement is much needed.
I hope you’ve enjoyed revisits Stephen Parker’s book with me. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
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I like to highlight special books on this blog. One of this year’s most beautifully-written and visually stunning is England’s Gardens, A Modern History.
Stephen Parker gives us a modern-day tour and an update on the history of some of the most iconic, enduring, and influential gardens across the country.
The book highlights well-known sites such as Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, and also covers other special and unique gardens such as Prospect Cottage and The Laskett. “It’s a celebration of England’s gardens in all their glorious diversity, sublime beauty, and exuberant eccentricity,” says the press release. I couldn’t agree more!
Sissinghurst case study The new Mediterranean-inspired Delos garden Piet Oudolf’s Hauser and Wirth Lowther Castle case study Painswick Rococo Garden case study Shute House case study East Ruston Old Vicarage in Norfolk, which is being handed over to the Perennial charity The Homewood case study Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage case study
There are 20 case studies in all, with well-written accounts of the stories behind the gardens, the people who made them and the legacies they leave behind. This is another highly recommended publication from the well-respected Dorling Kindersley stable. Some quite remarkable books have arrived on our shelves this summer from DK. This one by garden historian Stephen Parker takes us on a fascinating and joyful journey around Britain. And I enjoyed every minute of my excursion!
Bramble Garden 