Product Description

From window sills and balconies to small town gardens and country estates, vegetable gardens that are both beautiful and productive have their roots in ancient tradition but are as relevant and fresh today as Marylyn Abbott traces the history of the potager around the world and discusses its interpretation by contemporary designers. As well as inspirational photography, there is practical advice on planning, designing and using a potager that is both productive and beautiful, as well as clever advice on making the most of smaller spaces such as patios and containers. A glossary of details gives information on the many decorative and useful aspects that can be incorporated into a potager. This title explores the resurgence of interest in ancient ways of producing natural foods and remedies from herbs, vegetables, fruit and flowers, and reflecting contemporary interest in all things natural, pure and organic. they were a thousand years ago.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #495429 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Review
A history of potagers, or ornamental vegetable gardens, is the subject of Gardens of Plenty. Written in an engaging style by Marylyn Abbott, she chronicles how her interest in this form of gardening was ignited and led to the development of her potagers at both her English home, West Green House in Hampshire and her Australian home, Kennerton Green. Her love of gardening, inspired by her mother and grandmother, has made Kennerton Green the most visited garden in Australia and her restoration of the gardens at the National Trust's West Green House which she has leased, is sure to follow suit. Beautifully illustrated with the photographs of renowned garden photographer Clay Perry, this books gives a visual feast of potagers from around the world from the restored gardens of the grand St Jean de Beauregarde in France to the smaller potagers of American homesteads. From colonial Australia to the Chelsea Flower Show, the diversity of potagers through the ages is brought to life. Originating over a thousand years ago it appears that potagers were first formed as monastic gardens, not only growing food for the monks but also flowers and medicinal herbs. Over the centuries they diversified into more ornate pleasure grounds but they never lost their original purpose of food and herb production. Marylyn Abbott journeys the world in search of potagers from the USA through Europe to her homeland of Australia, trying to trace the history of these ornate but practical gardens and discovering modern interpretations along the way. Design hints and tips are included together with the author's own personal favourite plants for edging, eating and ornamentation to enable gardeners to create their own piece of history in their gardens, be they country estate or small town gardens.

From the Publisher
This fascinating book by Marylyn Abbott traces the history of the potager, from its romantic roots in medieval Europe to its cutting edge interpretations all over the world today. Infinitely flexible this style of garden has absorbed the past 1,000 years of human history and spread to every corner of the globe. It moderates temperature, mazimises space and provides an oasis of sheltered calm. It also affords considerable room for individual expression. Marylyn also celebrates the individuality and quirkiness of potagers from America, Australia, Britian and continental Europe. For the reader inspired by the true spirit of the potager there are ideas to recreate, design pointers and planting tips throughout, that create a mixture of inspirational, yet practical advice to aid the design of a productive and beautiful garden.

About the Author
Marylyn Abbott was brought up in Australia. After 16 years as the tourism and marketing manager for Sydney Opera House, she left to devote herself to her gardens in Australia (Kennerton Green, the country's most visited garden) and the UK (West Green House, now open to the public after 5 years of restoration). Her book Gardening with Light and Colour is also published by Kyle Cathie.