Book Description
Great Gardens of the World is a survey of some of the greatest gardens of the world, presented through magnificent photographic images and the descriptions of legendary garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse. Here is shown the oases of the Middle East, the gardens of Chinese scholars, Japanese sages and Renaissance humanists
Customer Reviews:
A VOLUME TO SAVOR AND RETURN TO AGAIN AND AGAIN.......2006-12-07
The ideal garden we are given to understand is a paradise - "a haven of comfort, abundance, and beauty." Many of us try to achieve that paradigm in our own way, as have countless others before us. Now gathered in one gorgeous volume are the results of those endeavors gleaned from diverse cultures and climes.
We begin our armchair tour with "Gardens Through the Centuries," a journey covering four thousand years beginning with the earliest gardens alive in the deserts of the Middle East. The first Mughal Emperor Babur (1483 - 1530) had a number of gardens including the Garden of Fidelity which was divided into four parts with a central pool.
Of course, the gardens designed in China and Japan expressed a respect for nature, evidenced in vast areas where the placement of each stone had meaning. Places for contemplation, stroll and moss gardens were found in Japan.
For this reader what can compare with the gardens of Italy? Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli boasts open porticoes, enclosed atriums, fountains, basins, statuary. It is a wonder. La Mortola on the Italian Riviera is a place for dreaming with a steep slope to the sea rich in agaves, aloes, white roses, salvias and citrus trees. A virtual Eden on earth.
Ms. Hobhouse continues our tour with a look at modern garden design as represented by such designers as Roberto Burle Marx, Fernando Caruncho, and Beth Chatto.
"In Search of Paradise" holds 240 pages and 200 illustrations all in glorious color contributed by the world's foremost garden photographers.
The is a volume to be savored and returned to again and again.
- Gail Cooke
Book Description
A fascinating, definitive history of garden development and design. From the earliest documented gardens of ancient Mesopotamia to the eclectic landscapes of the 21st century, The Story of Gardening is an engaging tale of the development and design of the garden. Brimming with glorious full-color photographs, intriguing timelines that chart the histories and fashions of individual plants, and evocative narratives, Hobhouse draws on a lifetime of work to create an enlightening overview of designers and styles that have inspired her creations and forged her gardening philosophy.
Customer Reviews:
I love this book........2007-06-10
Hobhouse is one of my favourite gardening writers. This book is another fine example. Great photos and comprehensive research.
Gang Chen, author of Planting Design Illustrated
Book Description
This authoritative new series of guidebooks to the gardens of Europe is the perfect companion for any garden enthusiast, whether tourist or armchair traveler. Each title is a richly illustrated in-depth guide to over 100 gardens, from the famous to little-known hidden treasures, and features colorful photography and easy-to-read illustrations commissioned especially for this series. Also included are maps, directions, complete visitor information, special features, and neighboring sites of interest.
Each guide, written by a gardening expert, begins with a comprehensive background on the country's garden history and local climate. The most significant gardens in each volume are featured in even greater detail, accompanied by illustrated plans of the gardens and close-up views of particular features. The numerous color photographs and maps show travelers what awaits at each garden. The Garden Lover's Guides are indispensible aids for those planning European travel itineraries.
The Garden Lover's Guide to Britain, written by Patrick Taylor, ranges from the sweeping views of Stourhead to the jungle-like ambiance of Inverewe on the Scottish coast.
The Garden Lover's Guide to Italy includes the Villa del Balbianello at Lake Como, Roman villa gardens, and the exotic, sub-tropical parks of Sicily.
Customer Reviews:
Hard to Use .......2006-02-05
I visited Tuscany & the Marches & Florence this past September (2005) and bought this book to guide me through planning a garden tour itinerary. Initially I thought the book's organization structure of grouping gardens in chapters devoted to a particular region would be perfect. It turned out to be very hard to use and frustrating. In the chapters, the gardens are sometimes listed by their name and sometimes by their town so there is no logical order. Plus on the maps the gardens are numbered haphazardly - the five gardens around Padua should be numbered sequentially but instead they are 2,3,4 and 8&9. The info for each garden though is detailed and lists the hours, fees, who to contact for appointment only gardens and nearby sights. It also covers the history of the garden. If you are going to tour gardens in Tuscany and Florence I would highly recommend a book I found in Florence at the Boboli Gardens. It is "Gardens of Florence and Tuscany - A Complete Guide" by Mariachiara Pozzana and is published through Giunti. The ISBN is 8809020642. It has MANY more gardens listed, lots of history and information and is well organized. Translated into English.
The serious garden lover's essential Italian garden guide.......2000-06-10
This is the most comprehensive guide I have found to Italian gardens open for visitng. Written by Penelope Hobhouse, one of England's foremost garden designers, it offers a real garden-lovers insight into what makes Italian gardens truly unique in style. The book is laid out in sections according to regions of Italy with good regional maps attached for route planning. Each garden has its own summary including an history of its design and later modifications, with elegant pictures, symbols denoting especial features, hours of opening, and other nearby sights worth visiting. "Gardens of Italy" is a slim volume perfect for not only plannning a comprehensive garden-accented trip from home but also small enough to carry whilst travelling. It is best used as an aide for advance planning rather than ad-hoc garden visits as many gardens are privately owned and visits are by appointment / advance arrangement only, a fact which Hobhouse notes in herforeword, but which after all is hardly her fault!
Book Description
The elements of garden architecture—paths, walls, gates, fences, terraces, sheds, lighting, furniture, waterworks, and art—together form the backbone of any well-designed garden. In this beautifully illustrated and accessible book, legendary landscape architect James van Sweden explains how to design and build a garden like a professional. He leads his readers on a tour through some of his most exquisitely designed gardens—in the country, in the city, in the suburbs, and by the shore. “When it comes to planning a comfortable and rewarding garden,” van Sweden writes in his Introduction, “the challenges that confront the owner of an estate or a weekend cottage are often substantially the same. The principles and techniques used for organizing a large site work equally well in a more modest setting.”
Each case study highlights a particular architectural element, breaking it down into practical ideas that any gardener can apply to his or her own garden or yard. The book includes dozens of detailed schematic drawings that can be used to build many of the elements described by the author, along with an extensive, illustrated glossary.
Architecture in the Garden is sure to inspire you with its many practical ideas on how to domesticate your landscape and design an outdoor space that suits your taste as well as your lifestyle.
Customer Reviews:
A Van Sweden Classic.......2007-10-04
Landscape architect Van Sweden's description of his signature process and approach for harmonious gardens immerses us in a new dimension of garden design. This book is a valuable tool for virtually any garden lover or garden designer -- whether transforming a blank slate or just reviving a tired garden. Van Sweden shows us the importance of understanding the underlying architecture of our gardens.
My favorite reference book.......2005-09-03
I am a landscape designer and I use this book constantly, not only for inspiration, but also for the illustrations provided on how to construct many of the architectural features shown.
This book has a permanant place on my drafting table and has so many paper clips marking pages--it is by far the most useful book about landscape architecture I have come across.
Excellent primer.......2004-07-30
This is a great book to get you thinking about the underlying structure of your garden or outdoor space. Van Sweden's style is low-key yet elegant, and his ideas inspirational.
Making good bones.......2003-11-02
James van Sweden has been designing gardens for over 30 years and he is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In this book he shares with the reader the essential role that architecture plays in organizing the garden landscape. With carefully chosen examples he shows how man-made features of the garden - paths, walls, gates etc. - create the framework for a garden that is both beautiful and easy to live with.
This book is readable and anecdotal in style, yet it covers the fundamental principles of design and shows how they can be put into practice to enhance many different types of garden. It is extensively illustrated, mostly with the author's own photographs, and these support the text in clearly delineating the applications of design principles to town gardens, seaside gardens, country gardens and so on.
Despite the author's relaxed approach this is a very thorough book and it will be invaluable to anyone planning a garden. My only quibble is that many of the gardens might be called estates, measured in acres, and to some extent this limits the book's practical value to the gardener with a standard city lot, or less.
But good "bone structure" is important in all gardens and this book will help any gardener pull together the significant man-made pieces of the garden into a graceful and beautiful whole.
Making good bones.......2003-11-02
James van Sweden has been designing gardens for over 30 years and he is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In this book he shares with the reader the essential role that architecture plays in organizing the garden landscape. With carefully chosen examples he shows how man-made features of the garden - paths, walls, gates etc. - create the framework for a garden that is both beautiful and easy to live with.
This book is readable and anecdotal in style, yet it covers the fundamental principles of design and shows how they can be put into practice to enhance many different types of garden. It is extensively illustrated, mostly with the author's own photographs, and these support the text in clearly delineating the applications of design principles to town gardens, seaside gardens, country gardens and so on.
Despite the author's relaxed approach this is a very thorough book and it will be invaluable to anyone planning a garden. My only quibble is that many of the gardens might be called estates, measured in acres, and to some extent this limits the book's practical value to the gardener with a standard city lot, or less.
But good "bone structure" is important in all gardens and this book will help any gardener pull together the significant man-made pieces of the garden into a graceful and beautiful whole.
Average customer rating:
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On Gardening
Penelope Hobhouse
Manufacturer: Macmillan General Reference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Garden Design
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
English Gardens
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0025519352 |
Customer Reviews:
A book of inspiration for the perennial gardener.......1997-05-11
I have pored over the pages of this book and learned volumes from it. Hobhouse's discussion of color theory and its relationship to the garden is a revelation, and her suggestions and illustrations of garden companions are inspirational.
When you get serious about designing your borders, this is essential reading.
Average customer rating:
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Colour in Your Garden
Penelope Hobhouse
Manufacturer: Frances Lincoln
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Flowers
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Garden Design
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Landscape
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
By Plant
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
| Begonias
| Berries
| Bonsai
| Cacti
| Citrus Trees
| Clematis
| Dahlias
| Ferns
| Grapes
| Grasses
| Greens
| Hostas
| Hydrangeas
| Irises
| Lavender
| Lilacs
| Lilies
| Magnolias
| Orchids
| Palm Trees
| Peppers & Chiles
| Roses
| Tomatoes
| Tulips
Similar Items:
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Flower Gardens
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Garden Style
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Penelope Hobhouse on Gardening
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Penelope Hobhouse's Garden Designs
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Succession Planting for Year-Round Pleasure
ASIN: 0711220581 |
Book Description
Designing and planting fine gardens is an art best learned by example. In this inspiring and beautiful book, the renowned Penelope Hobhouse - gardener, plantswoman, garden writer and historian - uses some of the finest gardens in the world to display how to lay out and plant natural, flower, patterned and formal gardens. From California to New York, West London to Normandy, each garden has been exquisitely photographed. In Garden Style, Penelope Hobhouse informs, advises and inspires on every aspect of garden design. She explains the importance of establishing a proper structure and how to create a successful small garden.
Customer Reviews:
a beautiful book full of design inspiration.......2006-08-01
If you are looking for a beautiful book full of ideas for perennial garden design, this is it. The book is full of great color pictures of absolutely gorgeous famous gardens. Although few of us have the space, time or money to have our own gardens of the size and caliber we see in this book, many of the ideas can be applied to the home garden. Not just a juicy coffee table book, both the text and photos offer much for those looking for inspiration about perspective, backdrop, texture, and all the elements of garden design.
Book Description
In this sumptuous survey, Penelope Hobhouse-distinguished plantswoman, garden designer, and historian-presents a definitive history of gardens and gardening, exploring the evolution of the Western model and the historical factors that have created the modern idea of gardening as both popular pastime and art form. Against this backdrop, Hobhouse focuses on the plants themselves-the raw materials of the garden maker's art. Splendidly illustrated with paintings, illuminated manuscripts, botanical drawings, and frescoes, as well as period and contemporary photographs, this is a classic work that will be referred to for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
The best book on Garden History I've read.......2000-06-08
This beautiful book by one of the most acclaimed gardening experts in the world is a fascinating walk through the gardens of the past. From ancient gardens through to medieval enclosed gardens and more modern garden styles, Hobhouse is a fantastic guide to matters of style, content, and design.
If you enjoy garden history, or books like Anna Pavord's The Tulip I think you will really like this book. It is also great inspiration if you would like to include a historical garden (like a knot garden) into your landscaping plans
Beautiful.......2000-01-23
I first saw this book at an art bookshop. It is one of the lovliest books I have see in a long time. I am just about to purchase it and I can hardly wait to receive it in the mail. For anyone loving plants, beauty and history this would make such a excellent present.
Average customer rating:
- Beautiful, tasteful, inspirational
- Wonderfully informative
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Penelope Hobhouse's Natural Planting
Penelope Hobhouse
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Garden Design
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Organic
| Techniques
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Techniques
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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The Country Gardener
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Garden Style
ASIN: 1862052689 |
Amazon.com
In the last century, and particularly in the last few decades, interest in regional gardening with native plants and hardy exotics has greatly increased. Busy gardeners love the unfussy, low-maintenance beauty it affords them, and many wonderful examples of natural planting now exist--Chicago's Botanical Gardens, Winterthur in Delaware, and hundreds of other beautiful public and private gardens. Penelope Hobhouse examines the history and botanical details of the natural tradition in a wide array of habitats and climatic zones in this serious book, which includes photographs of gardens all over the world by the fine garden photographer Jerry Harpur.
Book Description
The 20th century has seen a significant move to a "natural" approach to gardening-choosing plants appropriate to the environment, thus saving water and eliminating the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Penelope Hobhouse explores the origins of the natural gardening movement, then shows how a keen understanding of a plant's requirements-habitats, soil, climate, and site-is the key to planting well. Drawing on the gardens of today's leading practitioners, such as Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd, she looks at borders, shrubs, meadows and woodland, lawns, and rock, gravel, and water gardens. A highly readable, richly informative guide, with 175 color images by award-winning photographer Jerry Harpur. Penelope Hobhouse is an eminent garden historian, designer, and author; among her many successful books are Plants in Garden History, Penelope Hobhouse's Garden Designs, and Garden Style.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful, tasteful, inspirational.......2005-06-23
This book covers the use of native and other well-suited plant choices to match your local conditions and create beautiful, generally lower-maintenance, informal gardens. Beautiful photographs, tips for various cultural types (e.g., meadow gardens, shrub borders, woodland edges) and design theory, with a moderate emphasis on the temperate conditions one might find in England or New England. This book has no section arranged by species, but that's no loss for most garden readers, and Hobhouse shows a detailed knowledge of plants and gives plenty of tips on their specific use within the culturally arranged sections. (Hobhouse has a large number of books in print and out; all that I have read have been worth purchasing.)
http://www.woodedpaths.blogspot.com/
Wonderfully informative.......2001-05-20
I've long been an admirer of Rosemary Hobhouse's garden design skills, but she displays here that she isn't only a writer who designs gardens, she is also an excellent plantswoman, and her gardens reflect an intimate knowledge and practical experience with all kinds of plants. This book is wonderfully informative on the history of using 'natural' plants in garden design, and I especially liked the way she uses various examples of real gardens of very different kinds. Whatever kind of garden you are interested in, there's bound to be something inspirational in this beautiful book.
Books:
- His Little Princess: Treasured Letters from Your King (His Princess)
- His Princess: Love Letters from Your King (His Princess)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- Hortus Eystettensis
- How to Grow More Vegetables and Fruits: (And Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops)
- Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places
- Inspirations
- International Building Code 2003 (International Building Code)
- Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants Through Native American Stories and Earth Activities Forchildren (Keepers of the Earth)
- La frontera / Borderlands
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