The Gardens of Gertrude Jekyll
Richard Bisgrove
The gardens of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) have influenced good garden design throughout
the world. While many of Jekyll's gardens and original plantings have disappeared, and
only a handful of her plans are well-known, thousands survive in archives. Richard
Bisgrove has selected a representative sample from this remarkable collection, and
the designs-including plans for Jekyll's three American gardens as well as for many of
her British gardens-have been redrawn by an accomplished watercolorist and relabeled to make them more accessible to the nonspecialist. Together they provide an astonishing record of Jekyll's versatility as a garden designer and of the painstaking attention to detail that she applied to every aspect of her art.
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Gertrude Jekyll and Gardening
"... the lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to
others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives. I rejoice when I
see any one, and especially children, inquiring about flowers, and wanting gardens of their
own, and carefully working in them. For the love of gardening is a seed that once sown
never dies, but always grows and grows to an enduring and ever-increasing source of
happiness."
(Gertrude Jekyll, Wood and Garden)
Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) aimed for 'beautiful effect' and had a lasting
effect on gardening.
In a way familiar to artists and designers in other walks of life she used areas of
garden and woodland to create large features within which 'lesser beautiful incidents' could be
arranged. These arrangements were meant to place plants, trees and grass in such a way that
they 'look happy and at home, and make no parade of conscious effort.'
She goes on to say:
"I try for beauty and harmony everywhere, and especially for harmony of colour.
A garden so treated gives the delightful feeling of repose, and refreshment, and purest
enjoyment of beauty, that seems to my understanding to be the best fulfilment of its purpose;
while to the diligent worker its happiness is like the offering of a constant hymn of praise.
For I hold that the best purpose of a garden is to give delight and to give refreshment of
mind, to soothe, to refine, and to lift up the heart in a spirit of praise and thankfulness."
Jekyll recognized the range of pleasures and interests which interest practical gardeners.
Some collect plants, obsessively in a few cases. Others are interested in designing gardens, possibly
delving into the mysteries of rock gardening, , bog gardens, ornaments, terraces and
ornaments. Still others focus on growing plants and fruits for the kitchen, perhaps to
guarantee their own 'organic' source of food, or to save money. Certainly fresh products
from the kitchen garden have infinitely better taste and texture than their supermarket
equivalents.
How to Be a Gardener
Book 1
Alan Titchmarsh
Whether you're a complete beginner or a keen gardener, there are always times when it would help to have a reliable expert at your side. In How to be a Gardener, Alan Titchmarsh draws on his knowledge and passion for gardening, and his many years of experience, to give you a comprehensive guide that explores every aspect of your garden and how it works.
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Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start
by C. Colston Burrell
Combinations are the building blocks of the garden, and they are arranged around garden spaces. It is important to have spaces for outdoor activities, such as patios and small lawns. What makes the garden nurturing is to wrap these areas in a blanket of trees, shrubs and perennials.
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Outdoor Garden Fountains
A fantastic range of outdoor garden fountains found at this site.
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