Book Review: Paradise and Plenty

Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden by Mary Keen; Photographs by Tom Hatton

Published by The Pimpernel Press

 

If you love all things Anglo, Gardening, Design, Downton Abbey, and the Royals - well, you're in luck! If you could pile all of those things into one book, a book beautiful enough to be a coffee table book, but resourceful enough to be a certifiable how-to guide on when, what, and how to plant a productive, yielding, beautiful garden, and you illustrated all of that in the stunning photography of a private manor garden, kept intensely private until you had this magical book ... well, you'd have the masterwork of Garden Designer Mary Keen and photographer Tom Hatton, Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden.

 

The book, published by The Pimpernel Press, is the window into the private garden of Lord Rothschild's private house, Eythrope in Buckinghamshire, England, where flowers, fruits, and vegetables are produced year round under the watchful leadership of renowned head gardener Sue Dickinson. Eythrope is the dower house for the Rothschild family's high Victorian chateau, Waddesdon Manor. 25-Years ago, Mary Keen, author of Paradise and Plenty, designed the walled gardens surrounding Eythrope, and introduced Dickinson to Jacob (Lord) and Serena (Lady) Rothschild.

 

Waddesdon Manor, Cecile Hofer, 1885 - from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

 

Eythrope is never open to the public. It is, and has always been, a private residence. If you've been impressed by the gardens, and interiors of the country houses of Downton Abbey, Eythrope and Waddesdon are certainly to be in your favor! Let's take a little peek inside the gardens of Eythrope shall we?

 

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

 

Photo credit: Tom Hatton from Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden

 



Indeed, a beautiful photographic journey through the tailored topiary gardens, flower cutting gardens, and highly productive and organic vegetable gardens and fruit orchards,  Paradise and Plenty: A Rothschild Family Garden is packed with inspiration on every page. A wealth of practical information and guidance in gardening, and tips on improving your own garden (or starting one), the book is a true asset to any gardener, and a lovely journey into the world of the British elite and the English countryside for those of us who love a book on history, houses, gardens, and design. Take a look for yourself, and grab a copy via the amazon link below:

  

 

Book Review: Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood

Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood by Judith Tankard & Martin Wood

Published by Pimpernel Press LTD

  

Many of you know that Color Outside the Lines started as a garden blog. If you didn't know that, don't worry - it's been a long time since I posted about my own gardening experiences. Having no clue about gardening, or the climate and growing seasons here in New York, I, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, took to the dirt in my old garden and started planting. It evolved as it grew, and eventually, I grew out of it, leaving the garden, the house, all of it behind. Even so, my love for the garden has not suffered, and I find myself ever more interested in the architecture and horticulture behind gardens that are well designed from the very beginning.

 

That's why I have been so captivated by the lasting work of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), the brilliant and influential British horticulturist, garden designer, artist, and writer. She created over 400 gardens in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, and wrote over 1,000 articles for various magazines. Books about her gardens have been written for decades, including Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood which is back in reprint after nearly 20-years!

 

Munstead Wood is the name of Gertrude Jekyll's private estate in Surrey, England, designed by architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. Together, Lutyens and Jekyll worked on numerous projects, but none were as beautiful as Munstead Wood (in my opinion). Let's take a look at some photos of Munstead Wood:

 

 

Here is a photo of Munstead Wood from 1921. The Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1897 to compliment the gardens that Jekyll had been creating since 1882. While alive, Gertrude maintained the 15-acres of gardens with the help of 14 full-time gardeners! Since her death, the original 15-acres has been divided into 7 parcels, the largest remaining being the site of the main house and gardens.

 

 



A more recent photo of Munstead Wood shows the beauty of the gardens and landscape, and how the architect of the home was thoughtful of the design approach, keeping the gardens and woodlands in mind. Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood is a history of gardening, landscape design, horticulture, and a true love and passion for gardening. The book includes photos that had not been seen or published before of the gardens in their working phases and how they look today, and narrates the life of Gertrude, not only as an avid garden lover, but also a savvy businesswoman. Without further ado, let's take a look at current day Munstead Wood, Jekyll's masterpiece:

 

 

The book is a fantastic collection of history, comprised in writings, photographs, and detailed accounts from those who knew Jekyll and her remarkable ability. If you're a lover of the garden, history, architecture, or just all things Anglophile, I believe that Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood is a book you should add to your must have list. Take a closer look and grab your copy via the amazon link below: