The Gardens of Europe

Rating:
Summary: Gardens in Eastern Europe...
Review: Penelope Hobhouse edited THE GARDENS OF EUROPE and her name alone should encourage the reader to pursue this book through the Z-shops since apparently it is out of print. Hobhouse is considered by many to be one of the world's foremost garden experts and her contribution to the book is undoubtedly the selection. Penelope won't send you to a garden not worth seeing.

The stated purpose of the book according to Hobhouse is to introduce the reader to the most important gardens in Europe and to provide a representative picture of the distinctive horticultural traditions of the countries included. The gardens Hobhouse includes are open to the public, but in some cases arrangements must be made ahead of time if you intend to visit them. Hobhouse lists several of my favorites, including Sissinghurst and the University Botanical Gardens at Oxford. I've spent many a happy moment sitting on a bench in the botanical gardens. Some days you can look across the Thames (which is very narrow here) and see a Cricket match.

Although the book is about 10 years old and some of the information is dated (admission charges), it lists 700 gardens open to the public in both Western and Eastern Europe. At the time of it's printing, many of those in Eastern Europe had just opened to Westerners. Undoubtedly, you will want to verify a garden of interest to you is still open to the public.

The book is filled with color as well as black and white photos, and useful maps. You won't want to carry the book on your trip as it's heavy, but if you're looking for more information about a particular area or garden you can use this book to supplement the information in your Blue Book, Michelin Guide or Baedecker.