When I lived in England twenty-some years ago, the days of pea-soup fog were long gone but the cool, mild climate still prevailed. Ninety-degree days in summer were rare, and in seven years it only snowed twice. Things have changed. Call it global warming or what you will, but today’s England—like much of Europe—is beset with weather extremes unknown just decades ago.
It's probably too early to tell if climate changes will make England less hospitable to gardens, but for centuries it has been ideal. Similar in some ways to the climate of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, the moist air blanketed the countryside and painted it green. England—and much of the British Isles—hosted so many gardens, it was a kind of civilized Eden.
William Blake wrote, “And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green? . . . I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem, In England's green and pleasant land.” Every English school child learns Blake’s “Jerusalem,” right along with “Rule Britannia” and the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” For centuries, that “green and pleasant land” was home to meadow and garden, verdant hills and dales. How did a small island, invaded by Romans, Normans, Vikings, Saxons, and Celts, become a garden paradise? These books tell the tale. The first two books focus on renowned English garden designers; the other three take a broader view of England’s garden history. In a season where stores are decked in calendars of English gardens, these fascinating books will intrigue gardeners and history buffs alike.
Gertrude Jekyll: The Making of a Garden
Synopsis:
This anthology , now available in a completely revised edition, encompasses a rich legacy of gardening wisdom left by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), one of the great gardeners of the century and certainly one of the most influential. She published ten inspiring gardening books between 1899 and 1937. It is from these that the excerpts in this anthology have been selected. Trained at art school, Gertrude developed strongly held views on design, form and the use of colour in the garden.
These views are reflected throughout the book and take us through the year, season by season. Her observations will entertain those who delight in reading about the heart and soul of gardening as well as educate those with a more practical style. Gertrude Jekyll's desire was to stimulate the reader to action through her straightforward, no nonsense, approach which kept her and her readers from becoming a slave to the garden or its plants.
William Robinson: The Wild Gardener
Synopsis:
Like his contemporary Gertrude Jekyll, William Robinson made enormous contributions to the world of gardening. More than any other gardener, he was responsible for sweeping out the rigid Victorian style and ushering in a more relaxed look that used native plants. Here, Richard Bisgrove explores Robinson’s design principles and his transformative role in English gardening. Robinson’s groundbreaking ideas are displayed in numerous illustrations, including photographs of Robinsonian gardens at Gravetye Manor and elsewhere and engravings from his classic books.
English Garden and National Identity
From the Publisher:
This book examines the fierce debate on the styles and forms of garden design that took place in England c. 1870–1914. Focusing on the wild garden, the cottage garden, the formal garden, and the synthesis of the formal and natural styles, Anne Helmreich argues that design principles were indelibly shaped by the quest for a powerful English national identity. She demonstrates how "Englishness" was purportedly expressed through the leading styles of garden design and why the garden was promoted as a symbol of national identity.
English Gardens in The Twentieth Century
Library Journal:
It is no stretch of the imagination to say that England has produced the most famous gardens in the world. As garden historian Richardson (Sweets: A History of Candy) states in his introduction, "Gardens are to the English what cuisine is to the French." His beautiful book documents the history of English garden design throughout the last century as preserved in the photographic archives of Country Life magazine.
Structured chronologically, the volume begins with the staunchly decorous garden style of the Victorian period, which gave way to the Arts and Crafts style that was largely influenced by horticulturalist and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and architect Edward Lutyens. Other styles—"wild," modernist, artists'—are covered as well. The final chapter, "Making It Over," discusses how some famous estate gardens are being restored. This gorgeous book, printed on thick, glossy paper, is generously illustrated with 200 superb photographs, the majority of them in black and white.
The English Garden: A Social History
Library Journal:
In this persuasive socio-historical overview of English gardening trends, noted gardening author Quest-Ritson asks, "What are gardens for?" His answer: "Gardens are symbols of social and economic status." Accordingly, he argues that money, not artistic ideals, has determined which gardening designs are in vogue.
To illustrate this point—similar in some respects to the idea that lawns demonstrate one's affluence—Quest-Ritson considers English gardens from 1500 to today (e.g., the white garden of Vita Sackville-West), emphasizing the ways information about gardens have been shared.
Becke Davis is the senior writer for The Landscape Contractor magazine, a member of Garden Writers of America, and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association. She has written well over 1,000 published articles and is the author of five garden-related books in addition to being the moderator of B&N's Garden and Mystery book clubs.
PS: I have found this link to the Jekyll garden at Lindisfarne, which has a small photo of it, with a view of the castle beyond. Like many of Gertrude Jekyll's projects the garden was designed in collaboration with the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who built the charming little Edwardian castle, which I am going to buy when I become a millionairess
. (I am going north to Northumberland on Wednesday and will probably visit it again, with an avaricious look in my eye...)
Great experiences Becke! You really must visit Lindisfarne when you come to the UK again - indeed I would endeavour to meet you there as Northumberland is a favourite UK destination of mine! The East coast railway line is now very fast and you see a lot of English countryside along the way. Certain coaches have wi-fi connections so you could blog during your journey
