Laura C. Martin's Southern Gardens: A Gracious History and a Traveler's Guide [Hardcover]

Laura C. Martin (Author), David Schilling (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

As a tribute to the gardening of a unique region this volume portrays 32 of the most celebrated gardens of the American South, ranging from the grand gardens of the Antebellum Plantations to strikingly simple, creative plantings of the modern era. Drawing from primary sources as well as first-hand impressions of each garden featured, the author reveals the special beauty of southern gardens along with the personalities of their gardeners. This volume, illustrated with 200 specially commissioned photographs in colour and many vintage prints, surveys the southern garden from 1750 to the present. It includes early gardeners who introduced new plants and garden designs to the early coastal plantations; homesteaders who moved inland as far west as Tennessee and planted small, practical gardens; industrialists who used new money to build large formal gardens, such as the Vanderbilt country estate in Asheville, North Carolina; and, finally, 20th-century individuals whose rustic getaways consist of fantastic country grounds or quaint walled gardens in cities. From reconstructed sites to recent plantings, this is a treasury of the southern garden - offering ideas for all gardeners or inspiration for the armchair traveller.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Martin, the author of wildflower books and a weekly gardening column, and photographer Schilling have produced a book that is both beautiful and informative. With over 200 full-color pictures, vintage prints, and botanical illustrations, this is not just a picture book, for the text is extensive, providing histories of 32 celebrated Southern gardens and their founders. Arrangement is chronological, beginning with the Elizabethan Gardens in North Carolina and ending with gardens established since 1940. Typical of the entries, the four-page essay "Monticello" includes a full-page color photo of the house and lawns, a flower garden plan drawn by Thomas Jefferson, a color photo of tulips, a drawing of English peas, a two-page color spread of the vegetable garden, a full-page color photo of part of the vegetable garden, and a color photo of hollyhocks. Appendixes include "Suggested Tours," "Travel Guide," "Gardening Notes," and "Familiar Plants and Animals." Essential for gardening collections in the Southeast and a good choice for any gardening collection.
- Carol Cubberley, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; First Edition, edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558593233
• ISBN-13: 978-1558593237
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,555,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laura C. Martin's Southern Gardens: A Gracious History and A, November 7, 2000

By 

Linda Taylor Morgan (Wilmington, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laura C. Martin's Southern Gardens: A Gracious History and a Traveler's Guide (Hardcover)

Laura C. Martin's book about Southern Garden's is published on a fine high quality paper with wonderful color photographs. All of the South's wonderful public gardens are included. The book does a fabulous job of educating the reader about the gardens but is so complete it truly serves as a travel guide for the must see gardens of the South.