PLANTS IN GARDEN HISTORY - Tapa dura

"Penelope Hobhouse's book is festooned with grand ideas. In Plants in Garden History, Hobhouse addresses design theory and the succession of styles, but her real concern is at ground level, among the foliage and inflorescences of the plants themselves. As a result, Plants in Garden History is an unusually informative and accessible history for practicing gardeners."

In this sumptuous survey, Penelope Hobhouse--distinguished plantswoman, garden designer, and historian--presents a definitive history of gardens and gardening, exploring the evolution of the Western model and the historical factors that have created the modern idea of gardening as both popular pastime and art form. Against this backdrop, Hobhouse focuses on the plants themselves--the raw materials of the garden maker's art. Opulently illustrated with 375 paintings, illuminated manuscripts, botanical drawings, and frescoes, as well as period and contemporary photographs, this is a classic work that will be consulted for years to come.