Secret Gardens

by Jennifer Potter, Noel Kingsbury

From the sacred groves of Ancient Greece, to the secluded outside rooms of Sissinghurst, this work is a history of secret gardens. A wide variety of secret gardens is explored, from intimate retreats to treehouses, caves and grottoes. Five case studies demonstrate how design principles can be turned into reality. Practical advice, from planting to the skilful use of water and ornaments, aim to help the reader realize the potential of their own garden. A comprehensive plant directory is included.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Jennifer Potter, born in 1949, writes about the history and culture of plants, plantsmen and gardens. She reviews regularly for the Times Literary Supplement, and has been variously a Royal Literary Fund Fellow, a Hawthornden Fellow and an Honorary Teaching Fellow on the Warwick Writing Programme.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had hoped for more inspirational images. The Gardens of Make-Believe came close to saving the book, but still felt it was quite lacking.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Potter's lyrical writing, but I found this book short on practical advice.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps it is just the paperback copy, but a lot of the photos are very dark. Yes, they are very secret garden spaces. So secret, that even in the photo's you can't see them. Also the photo lay out seems some what strange. The Gardens of Make Believe Chapter, although just a few pages shows some fun & exotic things to dream about.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on landscape desing.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love garden books that read like stories. A good antidote to the flood of urban farming/diy of recent years. Truly by and for plant lovers.

[Matt Noa · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting story line based off of a daughter's lost activities with her cousin in a garden found while playing one day

[Tiffiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Miss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures - definitely not something that can be reproduced in the average yard.