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In the Garden With Jane Austen
Bringing Jane Austen’s gardens—real and fictional—to life with excerpts from her novels and letters, period songs, poetry, and illustrations, this charming recollection offers tips for creating English gardens alongside Austen. This lavishly illustrated exploration with color photographs of gardens associated with the writer offers a rich experience to admirers of both Austen and gorgeous gardens. Complete with a reference section that includes important dates in Austen’s life, locations and dates of her houses, and a map of 1809 England, this delightful book is perfect for the history and garden enthusiast alike.
114 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
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April 30, 2020it's like this person reached into my soul and yanked out the book I want to read
September 1, 2016
This book explains the history of landscape gardening in Jane Austen's time. It draws from secondary sources and supplements with quotes from Austen's novels, letters and other gardening texts from the time. I knew about Humphrey Repton and Capability Brown, the picturesque and the switch to the more natural style. I'm not into gardening so the final section on recreating an Austen garden was useless to me but it is interesting to read about the different types of flowers and the modern equivalents. What I liked best was the quotations from ladies' magazines and other sources. There are recipes for skin lotion to prevent tans, potpourri and advice from 18th and 19th century periodicals.
The photos make every location look amazing! I especially liked the inclusion of the list of filming locations used in Austen adaptations. There are a lot more historic sites added to my must-see list now! I need to win the lottery!
The photos make every location look amazing! I especially liked the inclusion of the list of filming locations used in Austen adaptations. There are a lot more historic sites added to my must-see list now! I need to win the lottery!
April 17, 2024
Spring is in the air and my garden-loving heart is eager to get out in my yard and work the soil. The next best thing is to combine three of my favorite things: Jane Austen, garden, and reading as this lovely gift-worthy glossy-paged with lovely pictures on every page offers.
Kim Wilson does a stellar job at combing the subject of Austen's life and her novels in regard to the garden, historical Regency gardening facts from cottages to estates to city parks, and details regarding tour places that showcase these things, garden-related recipes like Mrs. Norris' dried roses (anyone else enjoy the humor of that?), and gardening tips. All is laid out so nicely that I felt transported into those gorgeous delightful gardens and had the strongest urge to book a flight and get in on a tour of some sort for estates and gardens.
So, a little over a hundred pages of sheer delight that I will no doubt peruse again and again. For garden lovers, gardeners, Austen lovers, and those who want a good Regency-era resource.
#ThriftyThursday
Kim Wilson does a stellar job at combing the subject of Austen's life and her novels in regard to the garden, historical Regency gardening facts from cottages to estates to city parks, and details regarding tour places that showcase these things, garden-related recipes like Mrs. Norris' dried roses (anyone else enjoy the humor of that?), and gardening tips. All is laid out so nicely that I felt transported into those gorgeous delightful gardens and had the strongest urge to book a flight and get in on a tour of some sort for estates and gardens.
So, a little over a hundred pages of sheer delight that I will no doubt peruse again and again. For garden lovers, gardeners, Austen lovers, and those who want a good Regency-era resource.
#ThriftyThursday
May 30, 2020
“To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment.” Fanny Price, Mansfield Park, Chapter 9
It seems quite fitting that a quote from Jane Austen’s character Fanny Price, who is an astute observer of natural beauty, should open this book with such a succinct statement expressing her delight in being planted on the bench in Sotherton’s parkland to enjoy the serene beauty of the green landscape around her. Verdure is not a word that one runs across very often in contemporary writing but we should, because it vividly describes a scene and sensations in one word. It is no leap of the imagination that Fanny’s creator Jane Austen gave her such sentiments, for Jane dearly loved nature herself and included references to it and gardening in her novels and letters.
Author Kim Wilson must be a Fanny Price too, sensitive and observant to natures beauty as her new book In the Garden With Jane Austen is a verdurous delight, introducing us to Austen’s affinity to nature through the gardens she would have experienced in her own homes, family members and public gardens of Georgian and Regency England. This beautiful little volume is packed full of quotes from her novels and letters referencing her characters experiences in the garden and her own love of garden cultivation. It has always appeared to me that some of the best plot development in her novels happened while her characters were walking and I am reminded that her heroine’s Elizabeth Bennet, Catherine Morland, and Emma Woodhouse were all proposed to in a garden or on a woodland path. Hmm? Should we take a clue from this ladies and get your men outside?
Ms. Wilson has certainly done her research collecting many quotes and antecedents from Austen’s novels, letters and family lore effectively placing them in historical context and illustrated with beautiful photographs of the actual locations mentioned. I felt like I was on a personal garden tour of Austen’s life as I traveled from the cottage gardens of her home in Steventon and Chawton, to the manor house gardens of her family such as brother Edward at Godersham Park, Goodnestone Park, and Chawton House, and the estate of Stoneleigh Abbey owned by her cousins the Leigh’s. We are also treated to views of other famous estates that might have inspired settings in her novels such as Chatsworth House reputed to be the inspiration for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice and Cottesbrook Hall for Mansfield Park.
Even though this is a lovely pictorial edition, the text is what really shines with so many facts and observations on how nature and gardens influenced Jane Austen’s life and writings. I will admit to a more than slight disappointment in the book’s small size and paperback format though in comparison to other comparably priced larger sized hardcover editions on the market.
I must confess a large prejudice in favor of this book even before it was published since it combined two of my passions, Jane Austen and gardening. When I finally had the book in hand, I was happy to discover that the last chapter is devoted to re-creating a Jane Austen inspired garden yourself reminiscent of a Regency or Georgian era. What a fanciful thought that plants that Austen admired can be obtained and grown either in a classic presentation, a few simple pots of garden herbs or her favorite flowering shrub the syringa placed by your front door to remind you everyday that looking upon verdure in the perfect refreshment.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
It seems quite fitting that a quote from Jane Austen’s character Fanny Price, who is an astute observer of natural beauty, should open this book with such a succinct statement expressing her delight in being planted on the bench in Sotherton’s parkland to enjoy the serene beauty of the green landscape around her. Verdure is not a word that one runs across very often in contemporary writing but we should, because it vividly describes a scene and sensations in one word. It is no leap of the imagination that Fanny’s creator Jane Austen gave her such sentiments, for Jane dearly loved nature herself and included references to it and gardening in her novels and letters.
Author Kim Wilson must be a Fanny Price too, sensitive and observant to natures beauty as her new book In the Garden With Jane Austen is a verdurous delight, introducing us to Austen’s affinity to nature through the gardens she would have experienced in her own homes, family members and public gardens of Georgian and Regency England. This beautiful little volume is packed full of quotes from her novels and letters referencing her characters experiences in the garden and her own love of garden cultivation. It has always appeared to me that some of the best plot development in her novels happened while her characters were walking and I am reminded that her heroine’s Elizabeth Bennet, Catherine Morland, and Emma Woodhouse were all proposed to in a garden or on a woodland path. Hmm? Should we take a clue from this ladies and get your men outside?
Ms. Wilson has certainly done her research collecting many quotes and antecedents from Austen’s novels, letters and family lore effectively placing them in historical context and illustrated with beautiful photographs of the actual locations mentioned. I felt like I was on a personal garden tour of Austen’s life as I traveled from the cottage gardens of her home in Steventon and Chawton, to the manor house gardens of her family such as brother Edward at Godersham Park, Goodnestone Park, and Chawton House, and the estate of Stoneleigh Abbey owned by her cousins the Leigh’s. We are also treated to views of other famous estates that might have inspired settings in her novels such as Chatsworth House reputed to be the inspiration for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice and Cottesbrook Hall for Mansfield Park.
Even though this is a lovely pictorial edition, the text is what really shines with so many facts and observations on how nature and gardens influenced Jane Austen’s life and writings. I will admit to a more than slight disappointment in the book’s small size and paperback format though in comparison to other comparably priced larger sized hardcover editions on the market.
I must confess a large prejudice in favor of this book even before it was published since it combined two of my passions, Jane Austen and gardening. When I finally had the book in hand, I was happy to discover that the last chapter is devoted to re-creating a Jane Austen inspired garden yourself reminiscent of a Regency or Georgian era. What a fanciful thought that plants that Austen admired can be obtained and grown either in a classic presentation, a few simple pots of garden herbs or her favorite flowering shrub the syringa placed by your front door to remind you everyday that looking upon verdure in the perfect refreshment.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
May 12, 2020
This one really hits the sweet spot--I love books about writers and their gardens. Marta McDowell is the maven of the genre, but Kim Wilson does an admirable job with Austen's gardens.
"'I will not say that your Mulberry trees are dead,' Jane wrote to [Cassandra}, 'but I am afraid that they are not alive.'" (4)
Wilson has explored Austen's novels and letters, enlivening the rich natural details Austen relished. She does not revert to filler along the lines of, "this is what gardens were like at the time, and thus what Austen would have seen." There is plenty of detail for Wilson in Austen's own books to fill in the detail, and thus allow Wilson to do her own history of gardening via Austen.
If you're planning a little Austen tour of England for yourself, get this book. Wilson includes so many visitable gardens and houses. Some of them are ones where Austen lived or visited, others are mentioned in the books, and others receive scholarly consensus as likely inspirations for places in Austen's novels.
I've made it across the pond twice without visiting Chawton Cottage, where Jane Austen lived for many years and in which she revised/wrote most of her novels. If I ever return, I will definitely go during the summer. The kitchen garden was recreated as closely as possible, with heritage varieties (not the newer, disease-resistant varieties, but plants grown from saved seeds, thus the descendants of what Austen would have cultivated).
Learning about the gardens of Austen's time also reveals much about the novels themselves. I always imagined Barton Cottage, to which the Dashwood ladies retreat, as a rather dumpy, gloomy cottage. Instead, it's what passes for a fine country house in the US, though of course an ancient structure because this is Britain. According to Wilson, it is most comparable to Chawton Cottage, where Austen lived with her mother, sister, and family friend. It would have had a good-size garden, even if the Chawton estate were not as grand as Pemberley.
There is a strong case for Pemberley being based on Chatsworth, which you would recognize from the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. We all know Darcy is supposed to be fabulously wealthy, but let me tell you, that scene of Keira Knightley admiring Darcy's wealth through statuary and paintings should have focused on the estate itself. Wilson compares Chatsworth to Blenheim Palace, where I have visited. These estates are 9-12 miles around (Blenheim had about 200 acres at the time). They are truly ostentatious displays of wealth, and after watching Downton Abbey, I can say I would not want to be saddled with one via inheritance or marriage. The heir apparent of Blenheim Palace and future 12th Duke of Marlborough, George John Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, is married, though his love story sounds a bit more like Georgiana Darcy's since he met his (5 years older) wife at 16, so any Darcy-Elizabeth dreams must be put on hold. Winston Churchill was born 2 months premature in Blenheim Palace during a ball, and was briefly 11th in line for the duchy. There, all of the knowledge I gleaned from a Christmastime tour of Blenheim Palace has finally come to good use!
All in all, I'm planning to return to this again as I continue reading Austen, and I recommend it to Austenites, writer-gardeners, and history of gardening buffs alike.
"'I will not say that your Mulberry trees are dead,' Jane wrote to [Cassandra}, 'but I am afraid that they are not alive.'" (4)
Wilson has explored Austen's novels and letters, enlivening the rich natural details Austen relished. She does not revert to filler along the lines of, "this is what gardens were like at the time, and thus what Austen would have seen." There is plenty of detail for Wilson in Austen's own books to fill in the detail, and thus allow Wilson to do her own history of gardening via Austen.
If you're planning a little Austen tour of England for yourself, get this book. Wilson includes so many visitable gardens and houses. Some of them are ones where Austen lived or visited, others are mentioned in the books, and others receive scholarly consensus as likely inspirations for places in Austen's novels.
I've made it across the pond twice without visiting Chawton Cottage, where Jane Austen lived for many years and in which she revised/wrote most of her novels. If I ever return, I will definitely go during the summer. The kitchen garden was recreated as closely as possible, with heritage varieties (not the newer, disease-resistant varieties, but plants grown from saved seeds, thus the descendants of what Austen would have cultivated).
Learning about the gardens of Austen's time also reveals much about the novels themselves. I always imagined Barton Cottage, to which the Dashwood ladies retreat, as a rather dumpy, gloomy cottage. Instead, it's what passes for a fine country house in the US, though of course an ancient structure because this is Britain. According to Wilson, it is most comparable to Chawton Cottage, where Austen lived with her mother, sister, and family friend. It would have had a good-size garden, even if the Chawton estate were not as grand as Pemberley.
There is a strong case for Pemberley being based on Chatsworth, which you would recognize from the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. We all know Darcy is supposed to be fabulously wealthy, but let me tell you, that scene of Keira Knightley admiring Darcy's wealth through statuary and paintings should have focused on the estate itself. Wilson compares Chatsworth to Blenheim Palace, where I have visited. These estates are 9-12 miles around (Blenheim had about 200 acres at the time). They are truly ostentatious displays of wealth, and after watching Downton Abbey, I can say I would not want to be saddled with one via inheritance or marriage. The heir apparent of Blenheim Palace and future 12th Duke of Marlborough, George John Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, is married, though his love story sounds a bit more like Georgiana Darcy's since he met his (5 years older) wife at 16, so any Darcy-Elizabeth dreams must be put on hold. Winston Churchill was born 2 months premature in Blenheim Palace during a ball, and was briefly 11th in line for the duchy. There, all of the knowledge I gleaned from a Christmastime tour of Blenheim Palace has finally come to good use!
All in all, I'm planning to return to this again as I continue reading Austen, and I recommend it to Austenites, writer-gardeners, and history of gardening buffs alike.
May 15, 2011
(Note: This review is of the 2011 edition published by Frances Lincoln Limited, which is hard cover and includes seventy color photographs, twenty-five period drawings, and five garden plans.)
Kitchen gardens, extensive shrubberies, enchanting vistas, labyrinths, gothic seats, hermitages – wouldn't you just love to live in Jane Austen's time and have all these natural and picturesque settings
surround you? While I love the modern conveniences and freedoms of the twenty-first century, part of me longs to live in a time where a large portion of a family's food came from their backyard and walking in the garden was an almost daily activity. Spending most of her life in the country, Jane Austen was a great admirer of the outdoors and saw her fair share of beautiful and extensive gardens. Don't you wish you could do the same? Wouldn't you just love to go on a walking tour of English period gardens?
To keep reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Kitchen gardens, extensive shrubberies, enchanting vistas, labyrinths, gothic seats, hermitages – wouldn't you just love to live in Jane Austen's time and have all these natural and picturesque settings
surround you? While I love the modern conveniences and freedoms of the twenty-first century, part of me longs to live in a time where a large portion of a family's food came from their backyard and walking in the garden was an almost daily activity. Spending most of her life in the country, Jane Austen was a great admirer of the outdoors and saw her fair share of beautiful and extensive gardens. Don't you wish you could do the same? Wouldn't you just love to go on a walking tour of English period gardens?
To keep reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
August 6, 2015
I love this book! Not only are there gorgeous pictures on every page(and the paper itself is wonderful too), but Wilson gives so much information in a way that is not overwhelming or boring. I just found it very interesting.
And to make it even better, Wilson includes a listing of the gardens and estates that were used to film the various Austen films. So now I've got an Austen trip to plan! :D
Highly Recommend!
And to make it even better, Wilson includes a listing of the gardens and estates that were used to film the various Austen films. So now I've got an Austen trip to plan! :D
Highly Recommend!
September 19, 2025
Jane Austen ist zweifellos eine meiner Lieblingsautorinnen. Nachdem ich die Biografie von Lucy Worsley gelesen hatte, wusste ich, dass sie Gärten und Gartenarbeit als Hobby liebte. Als ich dieses schöne Buch sah, war ich natürlich sehr gespannt darauf, es zu lesen. Das Buch führt uns durch die Gärten großer Anwesen, Bauerngärten, Stadtgärten, öffentliche Gärten und Parks. Es ist eine wunderbare Reise durch das England von Jane Austen, und ich fand es toll, dass auch die Gärten vorgestellt werden, die in den Verfilmungen ihrer Romane zu sehen sind. Die Welt von Jane Austen wird uns hier in ihrer schönsten Form präsentiert.
Meine Meinung:
Dieses Buch ist so voller Schönheit, dass ich Ihnen garantieren kann, dass Sie sich danach erfrischt und verzaubert fühlen werden. Üppige Fotos, historische Fakten, Auszüge aus den Romanen, Details aus ihrem Leben, Zeichnungen aus der damaligen Zeit – ich habe mich in dieses Buch verliebt, vor allem, weil ich ihre Romane gelesen habe und ihre Welt liebe. Es scheint ein Privileg zu sein, dieses Buch zu besitzen, das es geschafft hat, die Schönheit englischer Gärten perfekt einzufangen. Und ich erinnere mich, dass viele Figuren sowohl Trost als auch Erfrischung in der grünen Natur fanden. Wie Fanny Price in Mansfield Park sagte: „An einem schönen Tag im Schatten sitzen und ins Grüne schauen, ist die wunderbarste Erfrischung”.
Wenn Sie noch nie in England waren, ist dies vielleicht eines der besten Bücher, um die wunderschönen Gärten zu entdecken, die dieses Land zu bieten hat. Jane Austen hat möglicherweise einige dieser Gärten gesehen und sich von ihrer Schönheit inspirieren lassen. Tatsächlich schrieb sie sogar an ihre Schwester Cassandra: „Der Garten ist eine wahre Wonne“. Sie liebte Gärten und ihr wunderschönes Grün, und ich freue mich, einige der Gärten zu sehen, die sie inspiriert haben könnten. Eine schöne Reise aus meinem bequemen Sessel heraus, die mich dazu gebracht hat, auch ihre Romane noch einmal lesen zu wollen. Es gibt auch viel Geschichte und Kultur zu entdecken, was den Wert des Buches noch erhöht.
Die Fotos in diesem Buch haben mir sehr gut gefallen, da ich den Garten von Chawton Cottage, den von Stubbs Farm und den von Houghton Lodge sehen konnte. Dieser war besonders interessant, da er als Topiary Peacock Garden bekannt ist und in vielen Filmproduktionen verwendet wurde. Beim Lesen dieses Buches wurde mir wieder bewusst, wie viele schöne Gärten es in England gibt, von denen viele aus der Zeit von Jane Austen stammen. Die Informationen zu den einzelnen Gärten sind sehr interessant, und mir hat gefallen, dass die Autorin bemerkenswerte Auszüge aus ihren Romanen sowie aus anderen Werken der damaligen Zeit hinzugefügt hat. Ein angenehmes, unterhaltsames Buch, das sich perfekt zum Lesen bei einer Tasse Tee eignet.
Zusammenfassung:
Ich kann gar nicht beschreiben, wie sehr mir dieses Buch gefallen hat. Ich fand es unglaublich unterhaltsam und informativ. Ich habe mir bereits alle in dem Buch vorgestellten Gärten notiert und hoffe, dass ich sie eines Tages alle sehen kann. Die Fotos sind absolut bezaubernd und man erfährt so viele interessante Dinge über Jane Austen und ihr Leben. Wenn Sie ein Fan von Jane Austen und ihren Romanen sind, dann kann ich Ihnen garantieren, dass Ihnen dieses Buch sehr gefallen wird. Ein ausgezeichnetes Buch, das ich wärmstens empfehlen kann.
Meine Meinung:
Dieses Buch ist so voller Schönheit, dass ich Ihnen garantieren kann, dass Sie sich danach erfrischt und verzaubert fühlen werden. Üppige Fotos, historische Fakten, Auszüge aus den Romanen, Details aus ihrem Leben, Zeichnungen aus der damaligen Zeit – ich habe mich in dieses Buch verliebt, vor allem, weil ich ihre Romane gelesen habe und ihre Welt liebe. Es scheint ein Privileg zu sein, dieses Buch zu besitzen, das es geschafft hat, die Schönheit englischer Gärten perfekt einzufangen. Und ich erinnere mich, dass viele Figuren sowohl Trost als auch Erfrischung in der grünen Natur fanden. Wie Fanny Price in Mansfield Park sagte: „An einem schönen Tag im Schatten sitzen und ins Grüne schauen, ist die wunderbarste Erfrischung”.
Wenn Sie noch nie in England waren, ist dies vielleicht eines der besten Bücher, um die wunderschönen Gärten zu entdecken, die dieses Land zu bieten hat. Jane Austen hat möglicherweise einige dieser Gärten gesehen und sich von ihrer Schönheit inspirieren lassen. Tatsächlich schrieb sie sogar an ihre Schwester Cassandra: „Der Garten ist eine wahre Wonne“. Sie liebte Gärten und ihr wunderschönes Grün, und ich freue mich, einige der Gärten zu sehen, die sie inspiriert haben könnten. Eine schöne Reise aus meinem bequemen Sessel heraus, die mich dazu gebracht hat, auch ihre Romane noch einmal lesen zu wollen. Es gibt auch viel Geschichte und Kultur zu entdecken, was den Wert des Buches noch erhöht.
Die Fotos in diesem Buch haben mir sehr gut gefallen, da ich den Garten von Chawton Cottage, den von Stubbs Farm und den von Houghton Lodge sehen konnte. Dieser war besonders interessant, da er als Topiary Peacock Garden bekannt ist und in vielen Filmproduktionen verwendet wurde. Beim Lesen dieses Buches wurde mir wieder bewusst, wie viele schöne Gärten es in England gibt, von denen viele aus der Zeit von Jane Austen stammen. Die Informationen zu den einzelnen Gärten sind sehr interessant, und mir hat gefallen, dass die Autorin bemerkenswerte Auszüge aus ihren Romanen sowie aus anderen Werken der damaligen Zeit hinzugefügt hat. Ein angenehmes, unterhaltsames Buch, das sich perfekt zum Lesen bei einer Tasse Tee eignet.
Zusammenfassung:
Ich kann gar nicht beschreiben, wie sehr mir dieses Buch gefallen hat. Ich fand es unglaublich unterhaltsam und informativ. Ich habe mir bereits alle in dem Buch vorgestellten Gärten notiert und hoffe, dass ich sie eines Tages alle sehen kann. Die Fotos sind absolut bezaubernd und man erfährt so viele interessante Dinge über Jane Austen und ihr Leben. Wenn Sie ein Fan von Jane Austen und ihren Romanen sind, dann kann ich Ihnen garantieren, dass Ihnen dieses Buch sehr gefallen wird. Ein ausgezeichnetes Buch, das ich wärmstens empfehlen kann.
March 13, 2026
Ein 114 Seiten fassendes kompaktes kleines Büchlein, eine Mischung aus Bildband, Jane-Austen-Memorabilia und Gartenkunde aus der Regencyzeit – eine schwer einzuordnende Mixtur, aber im Ergebnis sehr charmant und mit vielen wirklich zauberhaften Fotos versehen.
Als Jane-Austen-“Fangirl“ habe ich das Büchlein geordert, ohne eine konkrete Vorstellung zu haben, was genau hier jetzt kommt, und ich war / bin entzückt, muss ich sagen. Eigentlich sagt der Klappentext schon viel über den Inhalt aus; und man kann das Buch erst einmal nur durchblättern und die wirklich wunderschönen Gärten bewundern. Toll fotografiert, wunderbare Natur, tolle Gartenanlagen. Wobei Garten in meinem Verständnis schon gar nicht mehr so passt, eigentlich haben wir hier schon Parkanlagen, teilweise sehr großzügige sogar. Es sind meist private Anlagen, die entweder zu Cottages, Herrenhäusern oder heutzutage auch Hotels gehören. Aber auch städtische Parkanlagen zu bewundern, und sie alle haben Bezug auf Jane Austen und ihr Werk. Die Autorin liebte Gärten, und die Austens waren nach Möglichkeit auch Selbstversorger und bauten ihr eigenes Obst, Gemüse und Kräuter an, was zu den damaligen Zeiten eigentlich Standard war. Zumindest für Pfarrerfamilien wie den Austens.
Das Büchlein ist nicht nur reich bebildert, sondern versorgt uns Leser auch mit reichlich Information zu der Gartenbaukunst und -pflege zu Jane Austens Zeiten. Einen Großteil des Charmes des Bandes macht es auch aus, Fotos aus Gärten zu sehen, in denen die Romanverfilmungen gedreht wurden, und dazu Zitate aus den jeweiligen Romanen auch zu lesen. Oder eben kurze Zitate aus privater Post Janes neben den entsprechenden Fotos zu haben.
Ja, schönes Buch. Macht Freude, darin zu blättern und über die Locations zu lesen. Ich würde sagen, ein tolles Geschenk für alle Jane-Austen-Liebhaber, aber auch für alle, die sich für Gartenanlagen, und im speziellen britische Gärten, begeistern können. Hochwertige Bilder, hochwertige Aufmachung, liebevolle Darstellungen: ich gebe alle Daumen hoch!
Herzlichen Dank an das Bloggerportal vom Randomhouse für dieses Rezensionsexemplar!
Als Jane-Austen-“Fangirl“ habe ich das Büchlein geordert, ohne eine konkrete Vorstellung zu haben, was genau hier jetzt kommt, und ich war / bin entzückt, muss ich sagen. Eigentlich sagt der Klappentext schon viel über den Inhalt aus; und man kann das Buch erst einmal nur durchblättern und die wirklich wunderschönen Gärten bewundern. Toll fotografiert, wunderbare Natur, tolle Gartenanlagen. Wobei Garten in meinem Verständnis schon gar nicht mehr so passt, eigentlich haben wir hier schon Parkanlagen, teilweise sehr großzügige sogar. Es sind meist private Anlagen, die entweder zu Cottages, Herrenhäusern oder heutzutage auch Hotels gehören. Aber auch städtische Parkanlagen zu bewundern, und sie alle haben Bezug auf Jane Austen und ihr Werk. Die Autorin liebte Gärten, und die Austens waren nach Möglichkeit auch Selbstversorger und bauten ihr eigenes Obst, Gemüse und Kräuter an, was zu den damaligen Zeiten eigentlich Standard war. Zumindest für Pfarrerfamilien wie den Austens.
Das Büchlein ist nicht nur reich bebildert, sondern versorgt uns Leser auch mit reichlich Information zu der Gartenbaukunst und -pflege zu Jane Austens Zeiten. Einen Großteil des Charmes des Bandes macht es auch aus, Fotos aus Gärten zu sehen, in denen die Romanverfilmungen gedreht wurden, und dazu Zitate aus den jeweiligen Romanen auch zu lesen. Oder eben kurze Zitate aus privater Post Janes neben den entsprechenden Fotos zu haben.
Ja, schönes Buch. Macht Freude, darin zu blättern und über die Locations zu lesen. Ich würde sagen, ein tolles Geschenk für alle Jane-Austen-Liebhaber, aber auch für alle, die sich für Gartenanlagen, und im speziellen britische Gärten, begeistern können. Hochwertige Bilder, hochwertige Aufmachung, liebevolle Darstellungen: ich gebe alle Daumen hoch!
Herzlichen Dank an das Bloggerportal vom Randomhouse für dieses Rezensionsexemplar!
November 18, 2025
Wer ist noch Janeite und Gartenliebhaber:in? Für uns kommt „Die Gärten der Jane Austen“ genau richtig, ihre Romane, ihre Liebe zur Natur und Gärten, die Landschaft, all das vereint sich hier. Im Buch werden Gärten vorgestellt, die Austens Familie kannte oder besaß: selbstbewirtschaftete Cottagegärten, weitläufige Parks großer Anwesen, Stadtgärten in Bath und London. Ebenfalls Teil des Gartenportraits sind die Orte, die später Kulissen ihrer Romane bzw. deren Verfilmungen wurden.
Für mich kam das Buch genau zum richtigen Zeitpunkt: während ich in meinem eigenen Garten grade nicht mehr so viel zu tun habe, lese ich zum 250. Austen-Jubiläum nochmal alle Romane; parallel zum Gartenbuch las ich „Emma“. Ich glaube ich habe noch nie zuvor so bewusst wahrgenommen, wie oft der Strauchgarten, also „the shrubbery“ erwähnt wird, besonders im Zusammenhang mit Mr. Woodhouse. Und auch die beschriebenen Szenen der anderen Romane hatte ich auch noch ganz frisch in Erinnerung, auch im Gesamtkontext der Romane.
Das Buch strukturiert die Gartenwelt gut: Cottage und Küchengärten, große Parks, Landhäuser, Stadtgärten. Wie gerne würde ich einen Ausflug nach Chawton machen, um Haus, aber auch Garten zu besichtigen! Überhaupt gibt es viele Tipps, die besonders für Reisende hilfreich sein könnten (eine Jane-Austen-Garten-Tour, das wäre doch eine super Reiseidee!).
Das Buch ist super für eingefleischte Fans, aber ein paar Kritikpunkte habe ich leider dennoch. Die deutsche Übersetzung wirkt stellenweise etwas holprig; das Layout stört immer wieder den Lesefluss. Und für ein Buch über Gärten hätte ich mir noch mehr Raum für Fotografien gewünscht.
Am Ende bleibt das Buch eine schöne Reise in Austens Gartenwelt, ob nur auf dem Papier, wie zumindest aktuell bei mir, oder auf richtiger Spurensuche vor Ort.
Für mich kam das Buch genau zum richtigen Zeitpunkt: während ich in meinem eigenen Garten grade nicht mehr so viel zu tun habe, lese ich zum 250. Austen-Jubiläum nochmal alle Romane; parallel zum Gartenbuch las ich „Emma“. Ich glaube ich habe noch nie zuvor so bewusst wahrgenommen, wie oft der Strauchgarten, also „the shrubbery“ erwähnt wird, besonders im Zusammenhang mit Mr. Woodhouse. Und auch die beschriebenen Szenen der anderen Romane hatte ich auch noch ganz frisch in Erinnerung, auch im Gesamtkontext der Romane.
Das Buch strukturiert die Gartenwelt gut: Cottage und Küchengärten, große Parks, Landhäuser, Stadtgärten. Wie gerne würde ich einen Ausflug nach Chawton machen, um Haus, aber auch Garten zu besichtigen! Überhaupt gibt es viele Tipps, die besonders für Reisende hilfreich sein könnten (eine Jane-Austen-Garten-Tour, das wäre doch eine super Reiseidee!).
Das Buch ist super für eingefleischte Fans, aber ein paar Kritikpunkte habe ich leider dennoch. Die deutsche Übersetzung wirkt stellenweise etwas holprig; das Layout stört immer wieder den Lesefluss. Und für ein Buch über Gärten hätte ich mir noch mehr Raum für Fotografien gewünscht.
Am Ende bleibt das Buch eine schöne Reise in Austens Gartenwelt, ob nur auf dem Papier, wie zumindest aktuell bei mir, oder auf richtiger Spurensuche vor Ort.
January 6, 2020
J'ai un petit moins aimé celui-ci que "Tea with Jane Austen". Il y a au sein de chaque ouvrage, quelques répétitions, mais également d'un livre à l'autre. Du coup, je suppose qu'au bout d'un moment, j'ai commencé à me lasser. Celui-ci est également écrit plus petit, c'est un détail mais cela joue tout de même sur le confort de lecture et manque cruellement de structure. Les informations sont un peu toutes mélangées, un peu fouillis, comme se doit de l'être un jardin anglais finalement, non ?
En dehors de ces petits bémols, c'est un ouvrage magnifique, avec de sublimes illustrations, qui se lit rapidement et qui fourmillent réellement d'anecdotes et d'informations très interessantes sur les traditions de l'époque, les petites choses de la vie de tous les jours :
Saviez-vous que Mrs Austen aimait jardiner et que le Syringa était l'un des arbustes favoris de Jane Austen ?
Et en prime, vous trouverez pléthore de conseils de jardinage !
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
En dehors de ces petits bémols, c'est un ouvrage magnifique, avec de sublimes illustrations, qui se lit rapidement et qui fourmillent réellement d'anecdotes et d'informations très interessantes sur les traditions de l'époque, les petites choses de la vie de tous les jours :
Saviez-vous que Mrs Austen aimait jardiner et que le Syringa était l'un des arbustes favoris de Jane Austen ?
Et en prime, vous trouverez pléthore de conseils de jardinage !
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
August 12, 2018
This is a book for readers with an interest in Jane Austen’s life and literature as highlighted around gardens. It would also be of interest to folks who manage or plant flower gardens. The book features specific places (estates and gardens) in Austen ‘s life and literature with contact information so you can plan a visit.
April 4, 2024
This was fine. She intersperses historical discussion of Jane Austen’s gardening with tourist “visit here” sidebars in a way that interrupted the flow. I am not visiting any time soon, so it diminished the experience. BUT, if you are in England and want to visit some of her spots, this would probably be a decent guide. She also included a list of the locations from the major movie adaptations.
February 11, 2025
Gardens and Jane Austen make me happy. In the Garden with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson combined those explaing the different styles of gardens. Cottage Garden at Jane Austen's House, Mansion & Manor House Gardens of Chawton House and Chatsworth.
I read this book several years ago but it was lovely to revisit with an eye towards inspiration for my new garden.
I read this book several years ago but it was lovely to revisit with an eye towards inspiration for my new garden.
August 29, 2020
I will admit that I only skimmed the back half of this book. I have little interest in gardening, outside of ACNH, so I just couldn’t get into this one, despite the Jane Austen hook. I loved the pictures!
December 12, 2020
Concise descriptions of different types of garden styles during Austen's life time, very light on literary analysis. Wilson's best book is At Home with Jane Austen, but this has lovely photos and a few ideas for enjoying and/or making gardens.
June 20, 2022
A delightful view of gardens in Jane Austen's England, with gorgeous photos. Wilson explores every aspect of the garden of Austen's time, including cottage gardens, manor house gardens, city gardens, and more. Any Austen fan or gardener will enjoy this book.
July 1, 2019
Very informative. It helped me to understand parts of the novels better also
December 27, 2019
The book was informative of the plants used in the time of Austen. I was disappointed in that I had hoped for more detailed pictures of the gardens.
February 4, 2023
More for the Jane Austen fan than the gardener...
February 24, 2026
really good for if you plan to tour England, too. alas!
September 30, 2021
A beautiful book.
June 25, 2009
In the Garden with Jane Austen takes the reader on a tour of all things to do with Georgian and Regency gardens. You come across gardens that Jane herself would have worked in or visited or at the very least knew of. Cottage gardens, manor house gardens, town gardens, and public gardens are all brought to life in wonderful detail and through beautiful photography. We also learn what Jane's favorite plants were as well as other interesting bits of information like how people tried to disguise or hide their outhouses.
The book features information on several gardens that are still in existence and open to the public today as well as sections on the gardens featured in Jane Austen movie adaptations and a chapter on how to re-create Jane Austen's garden yourself.
A lovely little book filled with beautiful pictures and drawings, as well as fitting quotes from Jane Austen's novels and other contemporary sources.
The book features information on several gardens that are still in existence and open to the public today as well as sections on the gardens featured in Jane Austen movie adaptations and a chapter on how to re-create Jane Austen's garden yourself.
A lovely little book filled with beautiful pictures and drawings, as well as fitting quotes from Jane Austen's novels and other contemporary sources.
July 12, 2015
I bought this at the National Gallery of Art because I am going to visit England this fall and now I have a number of places I would love to go visit. Also, since it is now spring I am called to read gardening books and books about gardens and come up with plans for my own garden whether they actually come to fruition or not! This was a nice blend of information of what kind of gardens Jane Austen would have been familiar with and which of these gardens still exist or have been re-created. This wasn't a long book but it was a fun read and also has beautiful photographs.
January 2, 2010
Kim Wilson ties together Jane Austen's books with houses and gardens. In doing so, she explains some of the references in Jane Austen's books. I am one of those crazy persons who likes combining vacations with books I have read, so this is a perfect match for me. I am also in deep winter here in Colorado, snow for two weeks already, so I am day dreaming and planning next summer's garden. The pictures really lifted my spirits.
July 24, 2016
I actually exhaled while reading this book, could feel my blood pressure lowering as I scrolled through the words and photos. I am in love with gardens/gardening, and the landscape of English gardens are my most favorite, moreso than Japanese garden landscaping.
If you need to escape in the balm of natural goodness, this book's for you.
"To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." ~Jane Austen
If you need to escape in the balm of natural goodness, this book's for you.
"To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." ~Jane Austen
February 16, 2009
Very nice combination of excerpts from Austen novels, letters, and contemporary gardening publications. Discusses the role gardens and landscapes played as settings of the time. Helps to understand the novels better, and gives a good sense of the purpose of various landscape elements and how they were used by the gentry in England ca. 1800.
March 12, 2011
IN THE GARDEN WITH JANE AUSTEN is a fabulous mix of lush garden photographs, Jane Austen quotes, English gardening history, and planting tips.The plant names themselves are a delicious treat and an invitation to garden: pot marigolds and peonies, lupins and mignonettes. Conveniently, I discovered this book right as the spring garden catalogs started showing up in my mailbox.
September 28, 2012
A fun find at the library. The author takes the reader through gardens referenced in Austen's books and Austen's personal gardens. There were also brief references to plants of Austen's time. I enjoyed the book and noted a few of the gardens to perhaps visit should I ever have time and money to wander England.
December 1, 2016
I really wanted to know more details about gardens and the plants in them in Jane Austen's time. It's hard to find the planting details, but this book came up with just what I wanted. It has delightful pictures of some Austen gardens, including Chawton, where I've been. A must for Austen/garden fans.
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