Edith Wharton's Italian Gardens

Wonderful to see pictures and read the history of the gardens and the people who created them. Great comparison of what was and what still is.

Edith Wharton as a child went to Italy on family vacation and looked at gardens in Italy. She latter wrote books about gardens and other subjects. This is an update on her garden books and the losses of historical locations . The book is beautifully photographed and information that is well written. I have enjoyed reading this book. J l

This is not the ultimate writing on Italian gardens, nor the most sumptuos as a coffee-table book. But you can do a lot worse than this when you search for garden books on Italy. And then there is the added dimension that Mrs Wharton drove up to these places a hundred years ago and had a look around. Gentle people alledgedly just showed up "never mind us, we're just here for a stroll in your lovely garden", not recommended today...Photographs are very good/good. The selection of gardens covers the major part of the most celebrated, with a few minor ones added. No sites south of Rome alas, put the blame on Edith.

Absolutely gorgeous photos of villa gardens in Lombardy, Veneto, Florence, Siena, and around Rome. Text discusses the historical development of the gardens. Included are views of the gardens at Isola Bella, Villa d'Este in Lombardy, Padua Botanic Garden, Boboli Gardens, Villa d'Este outside Rome, and Villa Lante. I have read through the book several times--it is so enjoyable. All the photos are in color. Some of the texts include drawings or plans of the garden layouts.

I had read the biography of Edith Wharton and was v. interested to see she had written books on gardening as well as travel around Europe. I purchased a copy of her 1913 book but like Vivian Russell, wondered how much of the beautiful gardens remain today. Vivian's book filled with wonderful photos answers this question and is a very beautiful visit to today's Italy. Loved it.

Beautifully written and informative book with great photographs. I highly recommend this book!

This is a beautiful book, and one a serious gardener/landscaper will browse through time after time.

Old, too old....