Customer Reviews

Gardens of Italy

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Sixty gardens is of course a personal selection of gardens by the author. And I miss quite a few of historic and design-wise interesting places. Le Marche is not represented at all and Villa Barbarigo is also missing, along with some smaller, but exquisite gardens scattered over the peninsula. That said, the photos are great and most of the more famous places are well illustrated. The text is not that of a deep-probing and exploring academic, it's simply describing the place with some impressions and a few facts well known from previously published books. The best book on the subject is still Georgina Massons 'Italian Gardens' from the 1950's. Very strange...

I am not as expert as the first reviewer but can only say after checking this out of my local library I had to own a copy to plan and dream of a future trip to Italy and visit just a few of these gorgeous gardens. What I really love is that in the back of the book each garden is located on a map and hours/dates of opening is given, along with address and telephone number. What a wonderful resource.

And if I never get to visit I can use some of the style in my own small garden. Perhaps a lemon tree in a pot or a rose growing into a tree.

Of course a book could be written and lavishly photographed from almost each of the major gardens included but I'm glad for this compendium as it is.