Tea Gardens: Places to Make and Take Tea by Lovejoy, Ann (1998) Hardcover

by Ann Lovejoy

Whether it is a cup of chamomile sipped in an English tea garden or a jasmine tea enjoyed in a Japanese retreat, the tradition of making and taking tea in the garden is a practice steeped in history. Ann Lovejoy has lovingly adapted this long-standing tradition for the gardeners and tea lovers of today. This beautifully photographed guide combines simple garden design strategies with smart planting advice to create enchanting outdoor spaces that are soothing, productive, and lovely to visit. Featuring five international varieties of classic tea gardens-including a chapter on potted tea gardens for limited space-as well as instructions for gathering the makings of delicious and restorative teas right out of the garden, Tea Gardens is thoroughly delightful.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Tea

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want the experience and romance of Victorian gardens, the structure of English gardens, or the simplicity and peace of Japanese gardens, this book is a good read. It isn't a how-to create book, but it is a how to live the tea garden lifestyle book. Ann does tell the reader how to recreate the gardens, but I think the strength of this book is in the storytelling.

I'm grateful to have it on my shelves, sipping on it bit by bit like a good cup of tea.

[Sasifras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little book on different tea gardens, both for visuals and consumption. Is it a great resource for gardening purposes? Only for the beginning idea. The blends in the back were also pleasant, as most books I pick up have every other blend with lavender. This is a nice afternoon read with enough description for a fanciful day dream.

[Kassidy Groner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skimmed this, except for the chapter about container gardens (because I probably won't have a real garden of my own for a while). Still, the writing was super cute, and I liked the photography.

[Carole Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was lovely to stroll through the pages of this book while reading again about tea gardens. I always wished to have had some combination of a herbal/cottage garden. For many years I grew a lot of herbs in my garden. Several years ago, I went to all perennials. Some herbs are perennials. Now that I'm much older, I don't find trying to keep different parts of the garden "looking good" as I used to. Reading gardening books, especially in the winter with snow on the ground, is a "lift" for the gardening soul. I am a fan of drinking tea, so sitting with a good cup of tea and a a beautiful scene nearby is a pleasure.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd get more out of it if I lived somewhere that had a garden.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good ideas! I was really inspired to try growing more tea herbs and dedicate some space in the yard to a tea garden.