EBOOK
About
The relationship between England and its gardens might be described as a love affair; gardening is one of their national passions, rooted in their history. The 18th century is often called the Golden Age of English gardening. As the fashion for formal pleasure grounds for the wealthy faded, pioneers including William Kent and Capability Brown created masterpieces of landscape design, ushering in a new era of picturesque vistas inspired by nature. From these creations spring the very idea of Englishness-rolling hills, beautiful curves, aesthetic surprises, and architectural delights. Charting the transformation in a love of the garden through the 18th and 19th centuries, The Golden Age of the Garden brings the voices of the past alive in newspaper reports, letters, diaries, books, essays, and travelogs, offering contemporary gardening advice; principles of garden design; reflections on nature, landscape, and plants; and a unique perspective on the origins of the fascination with gardens. Exploring the different styles, techniques, and innovations of the past, and the creation of many of the stunning gardens still visited today, this is a beautiful, evocative, and rewarding collection for all gardeners seeking insight, new ideas, surprises, and inspiration.