As the illustrations show, Page (1906-1985) designed, and was influenced by, gardens throughout the world. UK gardening columnist Fox (Financial Times) introduces this reissue of Page's 1962 memoirs that English gardeners found odd in primarily treating grand foreign gardens and those who commissioned them. Yet this leading yet now little-known landscape designer, who designed the garden at the Frick Collection, New York City, was an early proponent of "anchoring" a residence to its surrounding landscape. The author's preface to the 1983 edition is included. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Russell Page, one of the legendary gardeners and landscapers of the twentieth century, designed gardens great and small for clients throughout the world. His memoirs, born of a lifetime of sketching, designing, and working on site, are a mixture of engaging personal reminiscence, keen critical intelligence, and practical know-how. They are not only essential reading for today’s gardeners, but a master’s compelling reflection on the deep sources and informing principles of his art. The Education of a Gardener offers charming, sometimes pointed anecdotes about patrons, colleagues, and, of course, gardens, together with lucid advice for the gardener. Page discusses how to plan a garden that draws on the energies of the surrounding landscape, determine which plants will do best in which setting, plant for the seasons, handle color, and combine trees, shrubs, and water features to rich and enduring effect. To read The Education of a Gardener is to wander happily through a variety of gardens in the company of a wise, witty, and knowledgeable friend. It will provide pleasure and insight not only to the dedicated gardener, but to anyone with an interest in abiding questions of design and aesthetics, or who simply enjoys an unusually well-written and thoughtful book.
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