As aptly categorized in the foreword: "This is gardening at ground level, history with (you might say) dirty fingernails." The late son of the Huxley dynasty of scientists chronicles the derived-from-agriculture gardening techniques and implements invented and used across cultures and the centuries (everything but power mowers it seems). Huxley also considers more recent trends: greater numbers of leisure gardeners optimizing smaller lots, growing from seed, and organic gardening. Includes numerous bandw illustrations. Originally published by Paddington Press. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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.
History of botanical illustration accompanied by 300 color illustrations and biographies of their illustrators. Illustrations from the Royal Horticultural Society's Lindley Library collection.
Classic study of gardening techniques and artistic principles involved. Includes analysis of five main garden types, plus important components: stones, lanterns, pagodas, ornamental water. Over 50 sketches, layouts, and diagrams, plus 37 full-page plates, many based on early woodcuts. Also, 40 annotated full-page photographic plates of famous examples of Japanese landscaping.
Get out in your garden and discover the history hidden in the hedges. Did the Romans have rakes? Did the monks get muddy? Did potatoes seem really, really weird when they arrived on our shores? Drawn from Jenny Uglow's own love for plants, this lively 'potted' history of gardening in Britain takes us on a garden tour from the thorn hedges around prehistoric settlements to the rage for ornamental grasses and 'outdoor rooms' today. Tracking down the ordinary folk who worked the earth - from weeding women to florists - as well as aristocrats and grand designers and famous plant-hunters, A Little History of British Gardening is brought to life by gorgeously vivid illustrations and Uglow's insightful wisdom. Not only dealing with flowery meads, grottoes and vistas, landscapes and ha-has, parks and allotments, Uglow explains, for example, how the Tudors made their curious knots; how housewives used herbs to stop freckles; how the suburbs dug for victory in World War II. With a brief guide to particular historic or evocative gardens open to the public, this is a book to put in your pocket when planning a crisp, winter's day out - but also to read in your armchair with a well-earned glass of red, after a hard day's graft in your own garden. 'Enchanting, stirringly evocative and fascinating' Daily Mail 'This book will be a joy for any gardener' Independent
