The Great Gardens of China: History Concepts Techniques

About this book

The gardena place for refined pleasure and spiritual relaxationhas its roots in ancient China. Western travelers from Marco Polo onward marveled at the intricacy the elaborate buildings the subtle design and the assured use of plants water and natural materials in Chinese landscapes. The Great Gardens of China shows through stunning original photography and cogent text both the visual splendors of Chinas finest gardens and explains their ideas and techniques in accessible terms. Now every gardener architect or designer can understand Chinas garden heritage and be inspired to use it to dramatic effect. Beginning with an introduction to Chinese beliefs and the historical development of garden design this book discusses the basic aesthetics and landscaping elementsarchitecture rock stacking waterscapes plants borders and scenic routesused in Chinese garden design. The author an expert in the history and theory of Chinese and international gardens also describes specific gardens from famed world cultural heritage sites like the Summer Palace in Beijing and the gardens of SuzhouLion Grove Humble Administrators Lingering and Master-of-Nets Gardensto the lesser known. The Great Gardens of China serves as a compendiumin text and illustrationof all facets of the Chinese garden. This book allows a total immersion in the enticing art of Chinese classical gardens . . . The book has helped me greatly to understand how Chinese gardens work and how to borrow from them for our own gardens in the West. I believe that Chinese gardens will strongly influence global garden design once their unique versatility is properly understood. Janet Wheatcroft Craigieburn Garden & Nursery Scotland