cover image Traditional English Gardens

Traditional English Gardens

Arabella Lennox-Boyd, Graham S. Thomas, Clay Perry. Rizzoli International Publications, $27.5 (160pp) ISBN 978-0-8478-0829-8

The 28 gardens featured in this lovely book are by turns lush and haunting, wild and manicured. A concise, scholarly introduction on garden design by a consultant to the British National Trust is followed by magnificent color pictures of gardens that are owned by the Trust and located on the grounds of historic houses from various periods. The brief accompanying text identifies plants, flowers, trees and shrubs and explains how the gardens are laid out, but offers a poetic perspective as well. Many of the gardens contain elements beyond the reach of the average gardener, such as ancient stone buildings, a crimson Oriental pavilion and 18th century Venetian statues. But the design suggestions will aid anyone with a green thumb and a patch of land. Addresses of the gardens are included. Both photographer Perry and garden designer Lennox-Boyd reside in England. (July 31)