Hidcote: The Making of a Garden

by Ethne Clarke, Ethne Clarke

A new and enlarged edition of the standard reference on an internationally revered English garden and its designer. Known internationally as the epitome of the classic English country garden, it is perhaps less well known that Hidcote’s creator was an enigmatic American. Lawrence Johnston, an expatriate and one of the so-called “Henry James Americans,” a pedigreed member of old New York, left no diaries or significant correspondence. What he did leave, however, is a garden that continues to inspire horticulturists, gardening enthusiasts, and everyone who appreciates the beauty of nature.

First published in 1989, the book was the first biography of Johnston; for this revised and enlarged edition Clarke, the author of 15 books on landscape history and gardening, has collected much new, original material that illuminates the creation of the garden and presents Johnston’s life in the context of the period that set the seal on England’s preeminence in garden design and plantsmanship. 150 color, black & white illustrations

Genres: Gardening

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Iowa City Public Library]

Hidcote is a very interesting book in a variety of ways. Hidcote Garden is located in the Cotswolds of England but was created by the expatriate American Lawrence Johnston. The first edition of this work was published in 1989; this revised edition includes new research by author Ethne Clarke.

The book is a biography of Lawrence Johnston, a man who left little behind for his biographer’s use. It is also the story of how the garden became the first garden taken on by the National Trust, and for me, this was the intriguing part of the book. Clarke recounts the prolonged negotiations between Johnston, the National Trust and other interested parties; how the Trust’s staff have managed the gardens through the years, including their decision to return the garden to its 1930’s appearance when they believed it to be in its prime; and the conundrum of preserving a garden designed for one person’s enjoyment while providing access to crowds of paying tourists. A favorite fact from the garden’s history: it provided four hospitals with fresh produce during World War II.

While not a heavily illustrated garden book, there are lovely color photos of the contemporary garden, as well as historical photos of Johnston and the early garden. --Heidi

From ICPL Staff Picks Blog

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was difficult to keep my interest in this book, thankfully it is short. The book focused on who started the garden, instead of the gardens. I was expecting more stories about the actual planting and designing of the gardens, maybe something about how new species were developed there. Instead it was a lot of whining about how the mother of the founder wouldn't give him any money.

[Wrdwrrior · Rating 2 out of 5]

More on the creator of Hidcote, the famous English garden, and not enough on the garden itself.