The Gardens of Gertrude Jekyll©1999 by Richard Bisgrove is a book I often go to for garden inspiration. Although Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), the famous British garden designer, created gardens in a completely different climate than where I garden in California's interior valley, I nevertheless enjoy seeing the interesting plant combinations in the gardens that she designed. She really was an artist in the garden.The author explains that Ms Jekyll's gardens were characterized by a meeting of two extremes: discipline and generosity as well as harmony and contrasts. I don't know how she was able to achieve gardens that to my untrained and uneducated eyes appear both beautifully formal and informal at the same time. Her gardens are described as "apparently effortless abundance." Somehow she improved on Mother Nature!
(The above photo is of the garden at Hidcote.)
The book provides samples of the plans, done in watercolors, from the many famous gardens that she designed. There are also numerous color photos that take my breath away. You don't have to be a garden designer to enjoy this book. All that's needed is to have an appreciation of nature and beauty.
I'm joining other garden bloggers for the monthly Garden Book Review graciously hosted by Holley from Roses and Other Gardening Joys. Visit her blog to see what other gardeners are reading this month.
Now it's almost time for my favorite program on tv, Downton Abbey. I can't wait to see what drama awaits at that beautiful English estate!
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| A nod to Gertrude Jekyll in my garden: an inexpensive copy of the famous Lutyens bench. |
Dear Dorothy, I am a huge fan of Gertrude Jekyll and love the gardens that she designed. I am pretty sure that I have this book, it just might be still hidden in some of our moving boxes. After reading your review I either have to go through the boxes to find it or if this is to taxing I may have to buy it again. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. The scene from your garden is really lovely, so lush and inviting! Have a good start into the week!
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Hi Christina, She was certainly a talented garden designer, although I read that she rarely used the phrase "garden design." "Gardening" was what she preferred. At any rate, I love her work, too. I hope you can find your book, because then you can buy another gardening book! Thank you for the compliment about my garden. The photo is from early spring last year. I am longing for spring to return!
ReplyDeleteAll of her books are still relevant - I reread many over 20 years ago! And don't you wish that Downton Abbey's gardens were on view for some of the series! Love the house, would probably love the gardens more!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne, Yes, I would love to see the gardens of Downton. All we get to see is the large expanse of green and trees which is still beautiful, but they must have some gardens in which to stroll on moonlit nights!
DeleteYour area is gorgeous. I would have thought it was from the pages of the book if you hadn't told us. "Apparently effortless abundance". There's a lot to be said in those few words. I think that may be what most of us are aiming for, but it takes a lot of work to achieve it! I don't have this book, and I think I would really enjoy it. It's going on my 'must get' list! Thanks so much for linking in!
ReplyDeleteHi Holley, Thank you! Although the garden bench with arbor is the only photo from my garden. That's clematis growing up the side. I can hardly wait to see the blooms again! The other garden photo is of Hidcote Manor (a free download). I'm not sure if she designed it or was the inspiration for the garden.That was unclear. Oh how I wish my gardens looked like that!
DeleteI think this book would be worth getting simply for the plans. I'm sure the photgraphs are wonderful as I've heard she was very colourful in her designs. On to the list it goes, fairly near the top, I think.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, I enjoyed your review of "Garden Making". It's interesting that Gertrude Jekyll did not like to use the terms "garden designing". She would have preferred just "gardening." The gardens she "made" were on such large estates. it must have been nice to have that much land, resources, and money to make a garden!
ReplyDeleteEnglish gardens always seem the most lush to me. This is another book to add to my list of Must Reads. I love your bench and arbor. :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy, In my opinion the English really do have the most beautiful gardens. Thank you for the compliment. That bench has always been the favorite napping place of our pets, and I like to sit there too!
DeleteIt must be a wonderful book to read, but I confess I find her gardens a bit intimidating. Somehow my little garden never approaches her careless, effortless and seamless perfection, even after I make allowances for all the paid labor she had in her time.
ReplyDeleteHi Masha, I think your garden is beautiful with all of those lovely roses. By the way, I am using your guidelines for pruning my four climbing roses tomorrow. Your detailed explanation is the best I've seen!
DeleteOh, yes, that bench is fantastic. And I'm sure I would enjoy that book, too. I'll add it to the list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello PlantPostings, The bench is great for relaxing. I'm just waiting for warmer days to enjoy it again. And the book does have photos of some very beautiful gardens!
DeleteNice bench - and great blog name! There was a lovely documentary series about Jeckyl, her life and her gardens a while back. She was by all accounts quite a messy gardener, in that she would leave tools and wheelbarrows all over the garden. Sadly the gardens now seem to be kept almost obsessively neat, and I think have lost a little of the magic she injected by her passion.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, Thank you for the nice compliments. I would loved to have seen that documentary, but I doubt that it was shown here in the states. I think I am by nature a messy gardener, but my husband has trained me to always put the tools back where they belong! Someday I would love to see some of the gardens that Gertrude Jekyll influenced. But for now I enjoy the photos in the books!
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