Thanks to the extraordinary color photos and gardening wisdom in this book, the elegant intimacy of the English cottage garden is a practical possibility for amateur gardeners in diverse regions of the United States.

Thanks to the extraordinary photographs and gardening wisdom in this book, the elegant intimacy of the English cottage garden look is now, at last, a practical possibility for amateur gardeners in diverse regions of the United States. More than 200 spectacular color photographs render the look and atmosphere of these gardens.

Laced with quirky humor and filled with vivid photography, this book is a definitive, hands-on guide to cottage gardening.

“An inspirational book, with encouraging words and down-to-earth advice for achieving a year-round beautiful garden.” —Michael Marriott, chief rosarian at David Austin Roses In this practical and inspirational guide, Greg Loades presents a new style of planting: a fusion between classic cottage style and the new perennial movement. Using real gardens as examples, The Modern Cottage Garden teaches gardeners how to combine the best of both styles—big, colorful blooms and striking grasses and native plants—into one beautiful space that requires little maintenance and has a long season of interest. Fresh planting ideas for containers, small gardens, and diverse climates present an exciting style that can shine anywhere.

A celebration of a beloved and uniquely British garden style. The cottage garden's abundant, informal style is rooted in Victorian dreams of a perfect country life. But it has found new expressions from the Arts & Crafts movement to the present day. This book showcases a selection of National Trust cottage gardens, famous and obscure, including writer Thomas Hardy’s cottage in Dorset; the flower-filled cottage garden created at Sissinghurst, Kent, by Vita Sackville-West and harold Nicolson; the Tudor manor Cothele in Cornwall, Beatrix Potter's Cumbrian home, Hill Top, and the picturesque Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex. Cottage Gardens also features some of the most famous non-National Trust examples from around the country, including Kelmscott Manor, Dove Cottage and Eastgrove Cottage Garden. With practical advice on creating your own cottage garden, including key plants and techniques, this is a wonderful companion for all garden enthusiasts. With climbing roses, bright hollyhocks, pathways edged with honeysuckle, blossom-filled orchards and wildflower meadows, this is the perfect book to capture the idyllic British country garden.

Gardening is one of the most popular leisure activities today and most people take it for granted that suitable plants, equipment and information are easily available. This was not always the case. Anne Wilkinson's engaging book recreates the world of amateur Victorian gardeners – those who had no idea how to start gardening, and no information to help them. In the 1860s gardening was mainly the preserve of professionals who worked on large estates, but a new breed of gardeners was emerging – ordinary householders. Their gardens range from country cottage and rectory gardens to urban gardens behind terraced houses. With no help from the professionals – who refused to believe that gardens in towns were a practical possibility – those innovators laid down the foundations for modern amateur gardening as it is today. This book, richly illustrated with images from contemporary magazines and other sources, explores their journey to create their own piece of England's 'green and pleasant land'.

From scented borders and flowery bowers to rambling paths and secret nooks, this is an inspirational guide to a universally loved garden style. It includes a history of the cottage garden, an introduction to the essential features of the style and a guide to applying them in your own garden.