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The Education of a Gardener
A fabulous book about designing gardens great and small, packed with wisdom on the abiding principles of gorgeous garden design.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ALAN TITCHMARSHRussell Page was one of the most legendary gardeners and landscapers of the last century. He designed gardens great and small for clients around the world. A rare combination of born plantsman and garden architect, he was a master of colour, form and structure. Page also understood that most tricky dimension of garden the passage of time. From Longleat to the Frick Collection, his gardens can be enjoyed to this day.Packed with wisdom and beautiful writing, this book offers a unique perspective on great garden design and is essential reading for every gardener.'One of the most thoughtful and civilized gardening books ever written, by a master designer' Daily Telegraph
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 10, 2016
One of my favorite gardening books of all time. This is the book that inspired me to think carefully before putting a plant into the ground. How will that plant relate to the garden as a whole, to the plants around it, could it be used to greater effect in some other location? Mr. Page was always thinking in terms of structure, vistas, coloration, seasonality and mood. While I'm more of a fair weather gardener, the wisdom contained in this book has proven invaluable, and I'm a better fair weather gardener for having read it.
August 28, 2014
Russell Page was one of the premier landscape architects and designers of the 20th century, and created gardens throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As my family has some history in this area of concern, including our own English gardener, I grew up knowing of Mr. Page and his unique style, and had the privilege of visiting some of the exquisite gardens he created.
Perhaps it's this shared history or knowledge that made the book so profoundly appealing to me. For someone who does not know plants by their Latin names, this book may be a bit of a muddle trying to picture what he means when he talks of drifts of this interspersed with islands of that. As I have the almost-useless party trick of recalling the horticultural lexicon safely stored away from earliest youth, I was able to picture the gardens in beautiful technicolor, imagining the progression of bloom and scent just as he described. The book has runs of pictures, all in black and white, but as the gardens were created before color film was common, these are likely the only pictures extant of his creations at their finest.
Page was an artist of the first order. He painted with trees, flowers, shrubs, and hardscape, but he created art as surely as any of the great masters. He wrote as beautifully as he planted; the final chapter in the book acknowledges that he ought to have called the book "Other People's Gardens" had the name not already been taken, and he proceeds to reward the reader with the most lovely creation of all as he poetically imagines a personal garden which his peregrinations had never allowed him to have. One finishes the book hoping that he had the opportunity to create the garden of his dreams.
Perhaps it's this shared history or knowledge that made the book so profoundly appealing to me. For someone who does not know plants by their Latin names, this book may be a bit of a muddle trying to picture what he means when he talks of drifts of this interspersed with islands of that. As I have the almost-useless party trick of recalling the horticultural lexicon safely stored away from earliest youth, I was able to picture the gardens in beautiful technicolor, imagining the progression of bloom and scent just as he described. The book has runs of pictures, all in black and white, but as the gardens were created before color film was common, these are likely the only pictures extant of his creations at their finest.
Page was an artist of the first order. He painted with trees, flowers, shrubs, and hardscape, but he created art as surely as any of the great masters. He wrote as beautifully as he planted; the final chapter in the book acknowledges that he ought to have called the book "Other People's Gardens" had the name not already been taken, and he proceeds to reward the reader with the most lovely creation of all as he poetically imagines a personal garden which his peregrinations had never allowed him to have. One finishes the book hoping that he had the opportunity to create the garden of his dreams.
June 6, 2021
I like to pretend that the flourishing weed farm that surrounds me is a garden. It has some beautiful trees and shrubs, some lovely fern beds and climbing vines and over the course of the summer, I manage to coax the odd bloom out of a plant. The truth is, though, the weeds own the place.
But then I go and read Russell Page's lovely book, and I am firmly put in my place. This man was an artist and a genius of landscape architecture. Anyone who has had the privilege of seeing one of his gardens would agree. Just walk past the Frick (not now - they're in the midst of a huge renovation and they rolled up the garden and put it in storage) and you'll see what I mean.
His autobiography/design book is a pleasure to read, the very best kind of armchair gardening. But alas, the illustrations are poky half-page black and white photos. You'll need to read Marina Schinz and Gabrielle va Zuylen's gorgeous coffee table book, The Gardens of Russell Page, to get the full effect.
But then I go and read Russell Page's lovely book, and I am firmly put in my place. This man was an artist and a genius of landscape architecture. Anyone who has had the privilege of seeing one of his gardens would agree. Just walk past the Frick (not now - they're in the midst of a huge renovation and they rolled up the garden and put it in storage) and you'll see what I mean.
His autobiography/design book is a pleasure to read, the very best kind of armchair gardening. But alas, the illustrations are poky half-page black and white photos. You'll need to read Marina Schinz and Gabrielle va Zuylen's gorgeous coffee table book, The Gardens of Russell Page, to get the full effect.
May 10, 2020
Yawn. Not my thing.
January 20, 2025
Although this book was published 60 years ago, it still contains a great deal of interest as it describes how a major figure in the field of garden design learned his trade and approached the designing of his gardens.
Page is definitely a designer rather than a plantsman - several times, he speaks critically of people who grow lots of different plants in their gardens, as he believes it is important to select one major theme (for example, a colour or shape) and make everything fit in with that theme. He even criticises the RHS gardens for not having a unifying theme - he seemed unaware that these gardens are chiefly used as experimental and educational spaces, where plants and growing methods can be trialled and different types of planting demonstrated.
As someone who is definitely a plantsperson rather than a designer - Page would HATE my garden! - I did find this book a bit long and detailed for my interests. I would say it would chiefly be of interest to those with an interest in the history of garden design.
Page is definitely a designer rather than a plantsman - several times, he speaks critically of people who grow lots of different plants in their gardens, as he believes it is important to select one major theme (for example, a colour or shape) and make everything fit in with that theme. He even criticises the RHS gardens for not having a unifying theme - he seemed unaware that these gardens are chiefly used as experimental and educational spaces, where plants and growing methods can be trialled and different types of planting demonstrated.
As someone who is definitely a plantsperson rather than a designer - Page would HATE my garden! - I did find this book a bit long and detailed for my interests. I would say it would chiefly be of interest to those with an interest in the history of garden design.
June 25, 2017
This was the first gardening book I ever bought. A serious look into the mind of a master plantsman. All that said, if you are not a serious plant dork with a serious interest in plant vernacular -- and I don't mean botanical Latin because that is a given with any Brit -- I mean if you are not seriously interested in getting your species to speak the language of your locale and climate, then this book is going to put you to sleep.
This is why I keep it on my bedside table. I am a serious gardener, the plant advice in here is along the lines of the Magna Carta -- the basis for so much we continue to do despite cosmic change, but still.
It will lull me to sleep as I ponder what to with that spot that.................
Follow up with Visions of Paradise. The photos are in color.
This is why I keep it on my bedside table. I am a serious gardener, the plant advice in here is along the lines of the Magna Carta -- the basis for so much we continue to do despite cosmic change, but still.
It will lull me to sleep as I ponder what to with that spot that.................
Follow up with Visions of Paradise. The photos are in color.
August 10, 2018
This has been my companion for reading out on the patio during what has been a lovely few months of warm, light evenings, while behind me my own garden has slowly wilted in the absence of rain.
It's a rich combination of biography, some memorable projects, and general principles. Some of the stories had me scrambling through Google maps to try and pick out the places he talks about, or had me looking at old film from the Festival of Britain. In that way its been an inspiring read. I must admit to skipping some sections, there's only so much Rhododendron I can cope with. RP seems to have been one of those gardeners whose work seems to be 'obvious' - in that it makes such clear sense, why would it be otherwise. I am sure some 'Before' and 'After' photos would have helped show just how his services were so highly appreciated.
It's a rich combination of biography, some memorable projects, and general principles. Some of the stories had me scrambling through Google maps to try and pick out the places he talks about, or had me looking at old film from the Festival of Britain. In that way its been an inspiring read. I must admit to skipping some sections, there's only so much Rhododendron I can cope with. RP seems to have been one of those gardeners whose work seems to be 'obvious' - in that it makes such clear sense, why would it be otherwise. I am sure some 'Before' and 'After' photos would have helped show just how his services were so highly appreciated.
August 6, 2022
I read this several years ago and like any good education, I've forgotten most of it - but what I do remember has really stuck with me! Learning about designing space with growing, changing plants is an endless journey and this book, written by a famous master of garden design, has a lot of interesting advice. Examples include designing landscapes with slow-growing trees for present and future generations; landscaping roads and the need for repetition when moving above a certain speed; plus a view into his ideal retirement garden, which is a nice dash of personality in an otherwise somewhat formal memoir.
November 29, 2023
“If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it, and understand it in a very real sense. 'Green fingers' are a fact, and a mystery only to the unpracticed. But green fingers are the extensions of a verdant heart.”
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
December 29, 2025
Long and for the botanically inclined with good hands on gardening insights and plenty of large design instruction. A lens into a very specific 20th c upper echelon garden sphere.
May 6, 2022
A tour through a talented gardener's life and career, with incredible presentation of gardens and their components as the author saw them.
August 7, 2013
I don't expect that everyone will love this book as much as I did--it happens to be a subject that I enjoy a lot, but would probably rank with what my husband calls "boring books". I read it with my Sunset Western Garden book nearby so I could look up all the plants--he's comfortable with Latin names, I don't know them as well.
Of course, since his gardens were mostly in Europe and England the choices of plants were often not possible here--still I loved the principles he laid out for planning and designing gardens. His projects tended to be much larger than I will ever do, but the same lessons apply.
It was interesting to read about making large displays for flower shows and festivals--quite different from planting a garden and then letting it mature. I really enjoyed the final chapter in which he thought about what kind of garden he would like to plant for himself, if he had one. I have seen one garden that he designed--the Pepsico garden in New York--now I would look at it with even more appreciation!
Of course, since his gardens were mostly in Europe and England the choices of plants were often not possible here--still I loved the principles he laid out for planning and designing gardens. His projects tended to be much larger than I will ever do, but the same lessons apply.
It was interesting to read about making large displays for flower shows and festivals--quite different from planting a garden and then letting it mature. I really enjoyed the final chapter in which he thought about what kind of garden he would like to plant for himself, if he had one. I have seen one garden that he designed--the Pepsico garden in New York--now I would look at it with even more appreciation!
March 17, 2008
I wrote this one on my arm (so I wouldn't forget). I felt that it applied to making films, not just garden design—especially since it turns out that garden design (like film) must take into account space, time, composition, scale...
"...I have to see that each added detail takes its correct place and weight, that it is a contribution and not a distraction."
"...I have to see that each added detail takes its correct place and weight, that it is a contribution and not a distraction."
March 5, 2013
The best way to appreciate Russell Page is in his own words: "To have "green" fingers or a "green" thumb is an old expression which describs the art of communicating the subtle energies of love to prosper a living plant." (p. 16) When it comes to prose his touch is not as light, so I found myself digging in clay and quite tired by the end of a chapter. Written in 1962.
January 30, 2014
So far...He is a designer, an artist, and the world is his canvas. Growing things are his palette. His wisdom stretches far beyond gardening and even design...I'm finding all kinds of life-truths here.
June 20, 2013
*love*
More a reference than a narrative, I pick it up and re-read parts of it again and again through the years for inspiration.
A good companion is The Gardens of Russell Page by Marina Schinz & Gabrielle van Zuylen, a coffee table book of photographs of his gardens that survive.
More a reference than a narrative, I pick it up and re-read parts of it again and again through the years for inspiration.
A good companion is The Gardens of Russell Page by Marina Schinz & Gabrielle van Zuylen, a coffee table book of photographs of his gardens that survive.
July 4, 2014
This is a classic of garden design. I really enjoyed parts of it, but much of it is really tough going. Most of the book is devoted to classic European design, but a few parts have some relevance to the rest of us.
January 28, 2016
Part One was more instructive in terms of thinking about a garden, analyzing what is at hand, envisioning the design and achieving the desired result. The rest of the book was more "memory lane" as the author recounted gardens he had seen or worked on.
November 25, 2007
Gardening for the Rich and Famous--lots of photos of huge water features on the palace grounds. Actually quite dull.
July 29, 2013
He was a wonderful writer. I learned a lot about the history of garden design and horticulture as well as got ideas for my own tiny urban plot.
Want to read
August 1, 2015Robin Lane Fox giving the forward sounds grand. His FT column is always a solid read.
April 21, 2011
Imprescindibile.
Want to read
December 6, 20166 DEC 2016 - from Laura's heart to mine. Thank you, Dear Friend.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews