Every
one's heard of Louis XIV and his fabulous palace at Versailles, outside of Paris. But Versailles would not be what is was and still is without the great talent of Andre Le Notre, the Sun King's principle garden designer. In "The Sun King's Garden," (Bloomsbury USA 2006), British author Ian Thompson tells the amazing story of the gardens' creation. Over a period of more than 30 years, Le Notre gained the trust and respect of Louis XIV, and their collaboration produced the most extensive gardens in Europe. Le Notre inspired generations of gardening engineers and architects, and his Grand Style -- with formal parterres, optical illusions, massive waterworks and clipped trees and shrubs -- is studied and copied by designers even today. Thompson leaves out nothing as he reveals the incredible details that went into the gardens at Versailles: politics, intrigue, envy, power, intellect, culture -- you name it. This is a joyful and absolutely fascinating book for any gardener, designer, architect, historian or Francophile you know -- or just about anyone else.
(click on image above to order book)
And, there must a garden somewhere in Buffalo that draws upon at least a couple of Le Notre's design principles. Find out with "Garden Walk Buffalo
beautiful photos -- as well as a CD -- of some of the now 250 or so gardens on display one weekend every summer in Buffalo, New York.
The book includes gardens of all types -- quiet backyard oases; explosions of front-yard color and texture; formal espaliers; perennial madness and Asian simplicity. It's all here, plus an explanation of how to organize a gardenwalk in your own community. And royalities on the book go to community gardens in the Buffalo area -- and what could be better than that.
(click on either link above to purchase book)
And, some of my favorites from earlier this year:
Stephen Scanniello's updated book on Roses:
http://gardendesignonline.typepad.com/gardendesignonline/2006/05/a_rose_classic_.html
David MacKenzie's Pocket Guide to Groundcovers:
http://gardendesignonline.typepad.com/gardendesignonline/2006/07/a_musthave_refe.html
Allan Armitage's book on native American plants:
http://gardendesignonline.typepad.com/gardendesignonline/2006/01/in_the_mood_.html
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