Nature Into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill

by Thomas Christopher

Wave Hill, a world-renowned public garden in the Bronx, boasts a classic horticultural craftsmanship unrivaled among other public gardens in the United States. But it also embraces a design spirit that is daring and innovative. Every year brings changes to Wave Hill: new combinations of colours, textures, and forms, along with innovative themes and constant experimentation. A stroll through the garden has the power to thrill, stir, and uplift the soul. Nature into Art, lovingly written by Thomas Christopher, brings this splendid, sensory experience home by honoring the unsurpassed beauty of Wave Hill. Nature into Art explores the different areas of the garden - the flower garden, the shade border, the wild garden, the conservatory, and more - and gives home gardeners helpful information on the plants, techniques, and design choices that define this iconic space. Filled with stunning, ethereal photography by Ngoc Minh Ngo, Nature Into Art will enchant readers and inspire home gardeners everywhere to practice the Wave Hill way of gardening.

• ISBN13: 9781604698510
• Publish Date: 17 September 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Timber Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Nature into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill is a coffee table art/gardening book documenting the gardens at Wave Hill in the Bronx, NY. Due out 17th Sept. 2019 from Timber Press, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a stunning book. The photography is exquisite. Paging through the photos had me itching to get out in my own (very modest) garden. The text accompanying the photographs is interesting, well and simply written, and provides a glimpse of the historical development of the gardens and estate. There are also numerous archival photos of the site and Perkins family, who donated the property to the City of New York in 1960.

I'm reminded of the famous Gertrude Jekyll quote: "In garden arrangement, as in all other kinds of decorative work, one has not only to acquire a knowledge of what to do, but also to gain some wisdom in perceiving what it is well to let alone.". The gardeners who keep Wave Hill going are masters of restraint and discernment.

A beautiful book. This would make a superlative gift or library book. It wouldn't be remiss in the library of any gardening club, and will provide many hours of inspiration

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes