Lives of the Great Gardeners book

Entertaining and accessible - the lives of men and women, many of them multitalented artists, who have created some of the most extraordinary gardens in the world and whose legacy continues to inspire
Throughout history, great gardeners have emerged from all walks of life. Some were aristocratic amateur gardeners, others professional designers with international practice. Some came to gardening from sculpture or painting; some were nurserymen or practical botanists. What they all have in common is the ability to take an idea and develop it to meet the needs and aesthetics of their times.

The book is organized into four thematic sections. Gardens of Ideas moves from the politically allusive gardens of 18th century England to Charles Jencks's Scottish garden inspired by 21st century cosmography. Gardens of Straight Lines explores the lives of the great Formalist gardeners, from Le Nôtre at Versailles to the rational English minimalism of contemporary designer Christopher Bradley-Hole. Gardens of Curves opens with that great exponent of the English landscape garden, “Capability” Brown, and follows with the extraordinary Brazilian designer Roberto Burle Marx. Finally, Gardens of Plantsmanship moves from the father of plantation naturalist William Robinson to the sweeping prairie style of Piet Oudolf.

With images of gardens as they were originally seen, along with portraits of their creators and excellent writing by The Times award-winning garden writer, this book will appeal to garden lovers everywhere.

Hardcover, 20 x 26 cm, 304 pages.