A complete history of period gardens, detailing the evolution of the plants, features and influences that have shaped them throughout history.

This fascinating survey of the development of gardens in Great Britain takes us from their medieval origins in monasteries and castles, through the Tudor period and the seventeenth century when formal designs from France and Holland were prevalent, to the great age of English landscape gardens in the eighteenth century, produced by such landscape designers as Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

John Anthony goes on to explore the variety of gardens of Victorian Britain and how they have evolved into those of the present day. With advice on creating and restoring period gardens, and comprehensive listings of the diverse range of plants of each period, this is an ideal introduction to the evolution of period gardens, and the features and plants that defined the distinct periods in history.