The Garden at Highgrove [Hardcover]

Charles Windsor (Author), Candida Lycett Green (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 031227551X | ISBN-13: 978-0312275518 | Publication Date: May 7, 2001 | Edition: 1st

When the marriage of Lady Di and Prince Charles fell apart, rumor had it part of the problem had to do with his gardening obsession. Gossip columns claimed Charles paid more attention to his gardens than his wife. The Garden at Highgrove takes readers on a tour of Charles`s favorite creation--a maze-like garden surrounding the estate where he has primarily lived for the past 20 years. Various styles thrive within the boundaries of the property: wildflower meadows, formal hedgerows, outdoor rooms, carefully plotted tapestries of Queen of Night tulips. If Diana complained of neglect, Highgrove`s landscape looks like it has been lavishly doted on. In one series of photos, we see the transformation of a large plot, viewed from the house, as it has been completely erased and re-created year to year. Who has time to complete and then entirely redo a garden on a regular basis? A prince, of course. Although the landscape glows with a vibrant, almost artificial green, Charles has long been a committed organic gardener. In the introduction he recalls the period when he came around to the cause of environmentalism. While driving through a declining English countryside in the 1960s and 1970s, "I remember longing to heal the countryside, to bind up its wounds and to reclothe it in its rightful form." The Garden at Highgrove will inspire gardeners, even those who don`t live in palaces, who are looking for images of elegance and can`t afford a staff to keep the hedges perfect. --Emily White

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When the marriage of Lady Di and Prince Charles fell apart, rumor had it part of the problem had to do with his gardening obsession. Gossip columns claimed Charles paid more attention to his gardens than his wife. The Garden at Highgrove takes readers on a tour of Charles's favorite creation--a maze-like garden surrounding the estate where he has primarily lived for the past 20 years. Various styles thrive within the boundaries of the property: wildflower meadows, formal hedgerows, outdoor rooms, carefully plotted tapestries of Queen of Night tulips. If Diana complained of neglect, Highgrove's landscape looks like it has been lavishly doted on. In one series of photos, we see the transformation of a large plot, viewed from the house, as it has been completely erased and re-created year to year. Who has time to complete and then entirely redo a garden on a regular basis? A prince, of course. Although the landscape glows with a vibrant, almost artificial green, Charles has long been a committed organic gardener. In the introduction he recalls the period when he came around to the cause of environmentalism. While driving through a declining English countryside in the 1960s and 1970s, "I remember longing to heal the countryside, to bind up its wounds and to reclothe it in its rightful form." The Garden at Highgrove will inspire gardeners, even those who don't live in palaces, who are looking for images of elegance and can't afford a staff to keep the hedges perfect. --Emily White

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (May 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031227551X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312275518
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, May 14, 2001

By 

S. OHalloran "phlower51" (Quincy, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Garden at Highgrove (Hardcover)

I first read about Highgrove in a magazine article ( I think it was Town & Country) several years ago. I clipped the article and looked at the beautiful pictures again and again. When I saw the book, I knew I had to have it. When it arrived last week, I was not disappointed. The pictures of the gardens are beautiful, but the story of the garden's development is even more interesting. The prose is informative and easy to read. I also have a new respect for Prince Charles as a kindred gardener. While my gardens will never match the grand scale of Highgrove (my husband and I do all of the garden work on our five acres while working full time jobs), I have found lots of inspirational ideas that I plan to incorporate in my flower gardens. This book has already given me many hours of enjoyment and I know that I will turn to it whenever I need a gardening fix!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High Hopes for Highcroft by Heather, April 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Garden at Highgrove (Hardcover)

I first read this book because my boss, the owner of a really great nursery I work for, had it on her bookshelf in the office. I first "read" the pictures, then read the rest in a patchwork fashion to suit my mood. I have just recently visited England and really love all the traditional gardens they have there, and their obvious love for all things growing. I plan to own this book in the very near future because it is informative and very beautiful. I have a whole new perspective about the Prince of Wales and gardening in England. Great read!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful tour of Prince Charles Highgrove home gardens, November 25, 2001

By 

A. Burchfield (Conway, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Garden at Highgrove (Hardcover)

I got this book earlier this year from Amazon U.K., wasn't out here yet, and really liked it. For your money you get a fairly recent photo tour of the grounds at Highrove, Prince Charles country home. There are a lot of pictures of plant life, details of some of the buildings and even some examples of outdoor sculpture. You even learn of a treehouse built for young Princes William & Harry as well as a garden seat given as a wedding present to the Prince and Princess of Wales (nice to know that the Princess hasn't been completely cleared away), two of many details that I haven't seen on television or read in some book or magazine article. I consider the book to be worth owning (just don't expect much gardening information), I just wish there could be a book tour of the interior of the house and other buildings to go with it.