The Sunday Times Gardening Book of the Year
Described by Vogue as 'the revelatory garden book for our age' and a 'splendid new book' (Sebastian Shakespeare, Daily Mail), The Private Gardens of England is a glorious celebration of the art of gardening through some of the country's hidden horticultural jewels. Thirty-five English private gardens, thoughtfully selected by the writer and designer Tania Compton, are vividly described in the words of their owners, who bring an astonishing sense of intimacy to their own creations as well as their collaborations with some of the leading garden designers of today. From the Bannermans' romantic Cornish castle to the windswept shores of Howick in Northumberland via Jasper Conran in Somerset and Tom Stuart-Smith in Hertfordshire, an eclectic range of gardens is revealed. The traditional English garden is seen through the fresh eyes of plantswomen such as Mary-Anne Robb at Cothay Manor and Arabella Lennox-Boyd at Gresgarth Hall, alongside Hilborough House in Norfolk and Ferne Park in Dorset that recently only existed as fields. The historic landscape gardens of Boughton House and St Paul's Walden Bury are explored alongside the contemporary and conceptual at Plaz Metaxu in Devon. From the private walled garden at Petworth to the wildflower-strewn meadows of Spye Park, each garden is a testament to the thriving art of English gardening. With contributions from the country's best garden photographers, The Private Gardens of England reveals gardening at its highest level. It will inform and inspire anyone with a love of gardening, beauty and excellence. 'The photographs are take-your-breath-away spellbinding . . . The minute level of detail here will satisfy real gardeners, elevating this book far above its competition.' Sarah Feeley, English Garden 'Captures a brilliant moment in our history, where plantsmanship, good design and love of plants have all come together . . . compelling format . . . the photography and production are superb.' Kathryn Bradley-Hole, Country Life One of Christopher Woodward's Books of the Year in the Evening Standard