Secret Gardeners by Victoria Summerley
As Heard on The Daily Gardener Podcast:
Secret Gardeners by Victoria Summerley
This book came out late in 2017, and the subtitle is Britain's Creatives Reveal Their Private Sanctuaries.
The Secret Gardeners is a delightful horticultural journey, inviting us into the private sanctuaries of some of Britain’s most celebrated creatives. It’s a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul, offering a glimpse into the serene and inspiring worlds of these talented individuals.
Victoria Summerley and Hugo Rittson Thomas have curated a collection of exquisite gardens, each one a reflection of its owner’s unique personality and artistic vision. From the whimsical to the grand, the gardens showcased in this book are a testament to the transformative power of nature.
Hugo and Victoria make a lovely garden book team. They've done a couple of great books together:
Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds (2015)
Great Gardens of London (2019)
Hugo's indelible images transport us to these wonderful spaces, and Victoria helps us appreciate them on a much deeper level than we would otherwise without her lovely commentary.
When you pick up a Victoria Summerly/Hugo Rittson Thomas book, you know it's going to be beautiful, you know that the gardens will be world-class, and you know that you're buying a book that is not for the bookshelf. It's way too pretty for that. This is a book that is set out so that when you walk by, you're tempted to stop and to read it — or when someone visits your home, they see that beautiful book and fall in love.
In the introduction, Victoria reveals how she and Hugo have connected with these beautiful spaces.
She writes,
When planning this book, Hugo Ritson Thomas and I did not set out to feature famous people who had lovely garden. Our original concept was a book on artist's gardens, looking at how those who had some training or background in the visual arts organize their outdoor spaces.
We were all very enthusiastic about the idea, but realized that it might have a broader appeal if we included people who were involved in the performance arts as well.
I'm often asked how I choose the garden for my books. The answer is that I don't — Hugo does. I have a power of veto… but Hugo is the one who persuades people to open their gates and let us in.
How he does this I have no idea. I am firmly of the belief that Hugo could persuade St. Peter to open the gates of heaven... If our publisher decided to... commission a book on the Garden of Eden.
This book features the private gardens, the secret gardens, of some of Britain's most famous artists. In all, twenty-five gardens are featured in this drop-dead gorgeous book. You'll get to see the gardens of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Anish Kapoor, Jeremy Irons, Cath Kidston, Terry Gilliam, Prue Leith, Ozzy Osbourne, Sting, Julian Fellowes, and Rupert Everett, just to name a few.
For the most part, these private sanctuaries - these great spaces - are not for public consumption. Without Victoria and Hugo's book, these gardens would remain hidden; they would remain secret gardens. But thankfully and generously, they all agreed to be part of this incredible book.
Imagine strolling through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enchanting woodland garden or discovering the hidden oasis of Nick Mason’s Pink Floyd drummer’s retreat. Each garden has a story to tell, a glimpse into the creative process and the personal passions of these remarkable individuals.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply a lover of beautiful things, The Secret Gardeners will captivate your imagination. With its stunning photographs and insightful essays, this book is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone seeking to create a garden that is truly their own.
The Secret Gardeners is more than just a coffee table book; it’s a celebration of the human spirit and our enduring connection to the natural world. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of a busy life, there is always room for beauty, tranquility, and a little bit of magic.
This book is 272 pages of gorgeous, sublime, unforgettable, imaginative, secret gardens that are sure to knock your socks off.
SI HORTUM IN HORTORIA PODCASTA IN BIBLIOTEHCA HABES, NIHIL DEERIT.
