Garden Heaven: Inspiration and Escapism for Every Gardener by Vanessa Berridge

You don't have to be a gardener to appreciate gardens. Besides the beauty of the colours, scents and shapes of plants, gardens reflect the landscape and history of the country. In this National Trust book, the best British gardens are explored under the theme of 'inspiration and escapism', but they are much more than this.

The book is organised by six chapters with the focus being on walled gardens, history, features such as hills, woods and water that 'fuse' with gardens and contemporary creations. It shows how formal gardens have been inspired European styles and how the planting represents the practicalities of sustenance fruit, vegetable and herb growing in contrast to the fashionable and sensual flower gardens. At the end is a list of gardens to visit, complete with addresses and website information.

This is a joyful book, spiritual at times, that discusses designs and designers, the choice of plants and planting as well as the locations' significance. Most of the gardens are naturally attached to stately homes or castles, and there are interesting facts included. Easy to read, this book will appeal to everyone who likes nature and being in it. The stunning full colour photography is a little bit of heaven in its own right.

Essentially though, this is ia book for gardeners or folk who love gardens. The plants are the stars and the story is about them. The history of the development of collections and the little details about the flora  really do make this a guide to Britain's Garden Heaven. With a good hardback format this is a delightful book to keep at hand for those days when you need a bit of inspiration or escapism.

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Published by National Trust Books on 9 May 2024.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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