Product Description

This unique, multilayered book focuses on the creation of gardens that reflect the mystery and magic of medieval gardens. Each chapter features a garden design based on a theme of significance in the medieval world. Chapters begin with an engaging historical overview and discussion of society, culture, religion and mythology in relation to each theme. Designs are illustrated with original watercolours, and all are suitable for an average suburban garden plot. Each design details how to create the garden; a list of appropriate plantings; and step by step skills, e.g. how to make a woven willow edging.This book features an illustrated medieval herbal; a resources section for finding suitable plants in Australia, the USA and Europe; and a directory of international medieval gardens. The chapters include: Unicorns and Other Magical Beasts (garden design: a unicorn's garden); In a Monastery Garden (a paradise garden); The Abbess' Garden (a medieval physic garden); A Mary Garden (a Mary garden); The Pilgrim's Garden (the garden of joyous contemplation); The Cook's Garden (a medieval cook's garden); The Orchard Garden (a paradise orchard); The Knight's Garden (a pleasant herber); The Alchemist's Garden (the garden of eternal life); The Sorcerer's Garden (the garden of magical protection); Titania's Garden (a medieval faery realm).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107335 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

About the Author
Dr Judyth McLeod has been a university lecturer in horticulture, landscape design, graphic art and sustainable architecture. She is the author of a number of books on gardening and natural methods of healthcare. Judyth is co-owner of a nursery, Honeysuckle Cottage, which specialises in pre-twentieth century plants.

Customer Reviews

Marvelous Book
I found this book exceptional.
In my opinion 'In a Unicorn's Garden' is a book that will satisfy all who read it. This multi-leveled book led me through the history of the medieval period by opening a time window on the average person of this world and examining their life and behavior and how they are tied to the earth and their plants. The book is divided into nine chapters that lead the reader from the myths of Unicorns and other magical beasts, through the monastery influenced gardens to the magic of Alchemy and its plants. As well as extensive medieval plant lists each chapter features an individual garden design based on the period and the marvelous fact is that these gardens can be created in the average suburban garden plot. I found that 'History' came alive and interesting as I followed the thoughts and traditions of earlier times and how the food and beverage of the period influenced the development and social behavior of the people. Plants were given practical and medicinal properties which often had their basis in religious and magic aspects.
Those interested in the garden will find a wealth of practical information in the description and uses of the featured plants and perhaps will look anew at their own gardens.
The book is extremely well researched and together with the photographs and illustrations provides a delightful escape from the modern world. Even if you have no gardening ability this superb book will fascinate. The themes, ideas and knowledge presented in this book will send you in search of other titles about this fascinating period of history.
I highly recommended it.
Peter Stiles
Director, LAVENDER AUSTRALIA.