This new book is a celebration of more than 600 years of England's most spectacular gardens. In "The English Gardener's Garden," (Phaidon, 2023) authors Tania Compton and Dr. Toby Musgrave profile more than 60 gardens from the 16th to the 21 century. Readers will likely be familiar with Sissinghurst, Hidcote Manor, Blenheim Palace, Stourhead and others, but they may not know The Barn by Tom Stuart Smith, the restored South Wood Farm by Arne Maynard, or Levens Hall, dating back to the 16th century.
In the introduction to the book, author Tania Compton notes that in Britain, "gardens, gardeners and gardening are recognized as a vital contribution to national artistic expression...". She adds that the gardens featured in the book constitute "not just a dialogue between art and nature but an entire conversation between the spirits of the creators past and present."
Many of the older gardens were restored or reinterpreted by more modern landscape architects or designer. Thus, Sir Charles Barry redesigned the garden in the 1830s for the Duke of Sutherland, but by the early 20th century, the gardens were in ruin. They were restored in this century by a trio of celebrated landscape designers: Tom Stuart-Smith, Piet Oudolf and Nigel Dunnett and now include a stunning array of perennials, naturalistic plantings, wildflower meadows and woodlands.
This is a book that any designer or passionate gardener will come to again and. again to study the evolution of these gardens and draw inspiration from the beautiful photos that illustrate the magic of each landscape.
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