Gardens Of Obsession Book

Gardens of Obsession are "the metamorphoses of dreams, fantasies, ancient myths or allegories made into a physical reality". This stunning book features a breathtaking array of 150 gardens, from the beautiful to the bizarre, from the enchanting to the eccentric, each of them the realisation of one person's wildest dreams. And it is the fact that these dreams can be so completely brought to life on the garden's canvas that make this book so enthralling. Even the most extravagant design has been achieved with great accomplishment, even the most extreme idea has become reality. Yet these gardens are also testament to craft and hard work--only the obsessive bent on creating something truly personal can achieve the sort of visions exemplified in the book. The locations of these horticultural wonders can be found in the jungles of Mexico, on the lawns of Oxfordshire, in an Ecuador cemetery and in the surrounds of a Czechoslovakian castle. Some reflect high culture, others explore surrealist fantasy containing lavish topiary and astonishing sculptural splendour. Within these pages we are taken on a pilgrimage through the minds and souls of people who have striven to realise themselves through the deeply personal space that a garden can be. When so many gardening books remain mired in the utilitarian this wonderful volume takes a bold leap into fantasy. This is the book for anyone who wants a to be inspired to create a garden that goes beyond a tidy lawn with tidy borders. --Nicola HollinsRead More