"A fertility sculpture garden in Bangkok and a topiary cemetery in Ecuador are just two of the astonishing stops on this garden-world romp."--Condé Nast Garden. Magical, mysterious, witty, and bizarre: these 150 gardens from countries as diverse as Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, and Australia are true originals. Some take their inspiration from myths and allegories from the ancient world; others grew out of a passion for a single type of plant. Still more reflect high culture, while a number take a joyfully folksy or kitsch approach. A creator's dreams and visions have taken on a new life as a formal Renaissance garden in France, giant wooden hands rising from a small hillside garden in California, and a garden of 1500 roses in Somerset planted in date order of their introduction into western Europe. This collection of gardens--each with its own magic--is a treat for the eye and living proof that fantasies can come true.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
"Gardens of obsession" are "the metamorphoses of dreams, fantasies, ancient myths or allegories made into a physical reality." This stunning book features a breathtaking array of 150 gardens, from the beautiful to the bizarre, from the enchanting to the eccentric, each of them the realization of one person's wildest dreams. And it is the fact that these dreams can be so completely brought to life on the garden's canvas that makes this book so enthralling. Even the most extravagant design has been achieved with great accomplishment; the most extreme idea has become reality. Yet these gardens are also testaments to craft and hard work--only the obsessive bent on creating something truly personal can achieve the sort of visions exemplified in the book.
The locations of these horticultural wonders can be found in the jungles of Mexico, on the lawns of Oxfordshire, in an Ecuador cemetery, and in the surrounds of a Czechoslovakian castle. Some reflect high culture, while others explore surrealist fantasy containing lavish topiary and astonishing sculptural splendor. Within these pages we are taken on a pilgrimage through the minds and souls of people who have striven to realize themselves through the deeply personal space that a garden can be. When so many gardening books remain mired in the utilitarian, this wonderful volume takes a bold leap into fantasy. This is the book for anyone who wants to be inspired to create a garden that goes beyond a tidy lawn with tidy borders. --Nicola Hollins --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful,
By TwoPoodles (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Gardens Of Obsession: Eccentric And Extravagant Visions (Hardcover)
If you love gardens, you have to get this one. Some of the gardens are just plain eccentric, but incredibly beautiful. Incredible mazes and topiaries. If you want to see something original, and something out of the ordinary, this is for you. Makes a GREAT gift for anyone who loves gardens, or who just loves beautiful books.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
getting in touch with your inner wacko,
By Judy Weightman (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gardens Of Obsession: Eccentric And Extravagant Visions (Hardcover)
When I was a kid, I thought I'd like to be eccentric when I grew up. On my good days, I flatter myself that I've attained this goal. Compared with the people whose gardens are shown here, however, I'm a rank amateur. The gardeners whose work are presented have a clear vision of what they want, and they've gone to whatever lengths were necessary to create it. There's topiary, there's folk art, there's real art. I guarantee you'll find some of it ugly or tacky -- but anyone who wants more from a garden than what good taste and convention can provide will be riveted and inspired.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uplifting & Inspirational Garden Visionaries,
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This review is from: Gardens Of Obsession: Eccentric And Extravagant Visions (Hardcover)
I work part time at a greenhouse (mostly as an indentured servant to my own gardening habit) and am TIRED of those whom I refer to as "Garden Nazis" - people (some of them - horrors - my very own co-workers) who think gardening is all about what you see in *those* magazines. You know the ones. This book offers a much needed and totally refreshing viewpoint that takes the onous off of we gardeners to create in just one way and opens avenues into whole new worlds! Have a look and be transported.
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