World’s best gardens can grow some Gardenlust
Book by Christopher Woods provides a tour
The last bulbs have been tucked into the garden, the leaves have been gathered and mulched, I’ve swept the walks one last time and lugged the wicker chairs back into the basement. This weekend I’ll haul the last of the planters into our little greenhouse, and if I feel ambitious, I may start to plan Christmas planters for the front porch. Every little ray of sunshine feels like a gift; it seems as if the nights are stretching out to greet the winter solstice.
Long winter nights are the perfect time for a gardener to put up her feet and delve into a book filled with contemporary gardens from around the world.
“Gardenlust, A botanical tour of the world’s best new gardens,” by Christopher Woods, and published by Timber Press is such a book.
A steep hillside oasis in Singapore, a garden distinguished by shape and light in Marrakech, a haunting tree museum in Switzerland — these are just a few of the extraordinary outdoor havens visited in Gardenlust.
In this sumptuous global tour of modern gardens, intrepid plant expert Christopher Woods spotlights 50 modern gardens that push boundaries and define natural beauty in significant ways. “I set myself a criterion of visiting only gardens created in the last two decades — I was in search of truly 21st century gardens.”
Featuring both private and public gardens, this journey makes its way from the Americas and Europe to Australia and New Zealand, with splits in Asia, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll learn about the people, plants and stories that make these iconic gardens so lust-worthy.
Let me introduce you to three of the gardens that captured my attention.
After watching a TV special on glass artist Dale Chihuly, and then seeing some of his work in my travels, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum in Seattle, Washington was high on my bucket list — last March we stopped in for a visit.
The indoor gallery showcases Chihuly’s incredible blown glass sculptures, but the beauty spills out into the glasshouse and gardens. Even a cool March afternoon can’t cool the excitement in this innovative garden, where sculptural forms create a dynamic garden. As the seasons progress, visitors are treated to visual treats as the sculptures complement the carefully curated gardens. I was pleased to see this modern and very innovative garden featured in Gardenlust ,it was fun to learn about the background and planting strategies that make this garden such a success.
Next, we cross the country for a stop in Stockton, New Jersey, for a visit to the 10-acre private garden of James Golden, dubbed Federal Twist.
“Although a self taught gardener, he was influenced greatly by the work of Wolfgang Oehme, who, along with James van Sweden, created a loose, naturalistic style reliant on native perennial and prairie species,” writes Woods. “Golden has become a disciple, an apprentice, of this style — the naturalistic mix of native and non-native plants — and he has successfully interpreted it with selections that bring visual poetry and grand emotion to his personal sanctuary.”
I am also a fan of this relaxed, naturalistic style. Wood’s dreamy images of misty autumn grasses and verdant summer meadows bring his poetic descriptions to life.
Finally, we’ll visit the hillside garden of Peter Korn in Eskilby, Sweden. He is plantsman of vigour, enthusiasm and passion, according to Woods. “My greatest source of inspiration is nature. If I can only re-create the conditions that are there, then the problems are solved. I start with the assumption that there aren’t any plants that are hard to grow, only environments hard to create,” says Korn.
As a designer, Korn’s work is in demand, because his plans go beyond what is expected in Sweden and includes rare and unusual plants.
“His knowledge of environments and what plants need makes him a specialist,” writes Wood. Beautiful images of the plantings and naturalistic rock work that characterize his designs illuminate the pages.
Woods describes the lengths
Korn goes to create the perfect habitat for his plants: “He starts with the soil. The conditions he works in are not ideal…not even weeds grow in it voluntarily.”
You have to admire Korn’s tenacity and passion.
I could go on, but consider adding this fascinating look at 50 of the the world’s most innovative, modern gardens to your winter reading list. Chris Woods has done the legwork, we can just sit back and enjoy the armchair tour.
About the author: CHRISTOPHER WOODS
began his gardening life at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. He was director and chief designer of Chanticleer, transforming it into one of America’s most exuberant, romantic and flamboyant gardens and made if renowned for creative and innovative techniques. He has served as vice president for horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden; director of the Van Dusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, BC; executive director of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden; and director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm.