This fabulously illustrated volume starts with the ancient Sumerians and takes readers through history by way of the styles, techniques and philosophies of gardening in cultures around the world. Anyone who has spent time thinking about their garden will be fascinated both by how things have changed and by how they've stayed the same. It's no longer common to plan a garden to express references to mythology and the classics, as it was during the Renaissance, but it might be surprising to learn that even the ancients planted exotic species from faraway lands.
The Story of Gardening by garden historians Penelope Hobhouse and Ambra Edwards (The Story of the English Garden; Head Gardeners) covers the down-to-earth details of who planted what, where and how, tracing changing fashions such as the eternal back and forth between formality and naturalism. But it goes beyond mere description, connecting gardening to world politics, religion, art and architectural movements, and more. The level of detail may be more suitable for gardening and history geeks than for the casual reader, and even the former may not find everything equally enthralling--an interest in flowers doesn't necessarily correlate to a fascination with 18th-century politics. Fortunately, the format and layout make it simple to skim or skip.
Any reader will appreciate the amazing visuals, including gorgeous photography of significant gardens all over the world and art featuring plants and gardens from throughout history. The true enthusiast will enjoy digging in for both unexpected tidbits and a context that's much broader than expected. --Linda Lombardi, writer and editor