Fifteen great gardeners and their gardens, fifteen different styles of writing, fifteen inspirational gardens. Brought together in one book by gardening editor Erica Hunningher, fifteen top British gardeners tell in their own words of the gardens that inspire them and lead them on to even greater gardening inspiration. Beautifully photographed by Vivian Russell, both photographer and writer, she herself is included within the fifteen invited to participate in this novel, eye-opening work. For the armchair gardener this is a good and often amusing read. For the more active gardener, inspirational too. The gardens chosen vary from the very formal to meadows and prairies, from private residences to public institutions and cross the Atlantic to the USA and the Channel to France and Italy, demonstrating the diversity of gardening that abounds the world over. Both modern and old gardens make an appearance and some choices may surprise the reader with the disparity between the gardener and the garden in question. All the gardeners chosen are experienced writers and give a fascinating, highly-personal insight into what drives them in their own gardens and draws them to those of others for inspiration. Not surprisingly the majority opt for formal gardens, be they well-kept like Le Batiment or gently neglected like Ninfa, highlighting the importance of a basic structure to a garden be it formal or informal. And all display a high level of discipline with regards to garden maintenance, emphasizing, for instance, how a neatly-edged lawn can instantly transform a moderate garden to one worthy of note, notwithstanding an over-ebullient herbaceous border. A thoroughly enjoyable read, it is true to its title: the gardens really are Gardens of Inspiration.
