Product Description

Finally, for every resident and visitor to the region, a comprehensive guide to the gardens of eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware. Magnificently illustrated with nearly 200 full color photographs, A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region provides essential information on how to locate and enjoy the finest gardens the area has to offer.

As the horticultural epicenter of the United States, Philadelphia and the surrounding towns, suburbs, and countryside are blessed with more public gardens in a concentrated area than almost any other region in the world. Stretching from Trenton, New Jersey through Philadelphia and down to Newark, Delaware, this area (often called the Delaware Valley) offers more horticultural riches than a visitor can possibly see even in a couple of weeks of hectic garden hopping.
In A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region you will find:
- detailed coverage of almost 100 gardens;
- maps to indicate where area gardens are in relation to each other to plan day trip itineraries;
- key information about each major garden, including hours, fees, time needed for a tour, history, acreage, and special features;
- over a dozen gardens that have never before been featured in any garden guidebook;
- arranged by interest, to help guide readers to gardens that will most meet their needs;
- notations about historical houses, cafes/restaurants, gift shops, and children's features at each major garden

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #567836 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"I am thrilled to finally see such a thorough and useful guide to the gardens of the Delaware Valley. [It] will make a wonderful addition to any garden lover's library." -- Jane G. Pepper, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

About the Author
Adam Levine is an award-winning garden writer whose work has appeared in many regional and national magazines. He is also co-author of The Passion for Gardening and The Philadelphia Flower Show. He lives and gardens in Media, Pennsylvania. His website is PhillyGardenGuide.com. Rob Cardillo is a Philadelphia-based professional garden photographer. Formerly the Director of Photography at Organic Gardening magazine, his work now appears in Garden Design, Horticulture, Better Homes and Gardens, and numerous other magazines. He has authored two books and was the photographer for Flowers White House Style, HGTV Landscape Makeovers and The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer. His website is robcardillo.com

Customer Reviews

Well-designed and quick reference to many Philly gardens
The publishing of this book coincides with the 2007 Annual Philadelphia Flower Show. It covers roughly 40 or so of the major public gardens in the Philadelphia area.

Nice design by Philadelphia firm of Joel Katz who have formatted the information in a user-friendly layout. Maps, color coding and tabs make it very easy to locate specific gardens.

The photographs by Rob Cardillo are beautiful and, even at their small size, capture the gardens at their peak.

Adam Levine's brief descriptions and histories of each garden are succint without being overly dry.

My one disappointment is that, with the exception of the Azalea Gardens by the Art Museum, the Japanese House, and the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, and a brief description of the Horticultural Center, the authors do not detail the scope, history, and hidden gems of the Fairmount Park system.

Granted, and due to the state of upkeep, the park may no longer be called "great." But the park is still the "lungs of the city" and has its surprises: The miraculous row of dozens of cherry trees that create a wonderful pink line towards the Japanese House every Spring, and the natural walking and bike paths that surround the Horticultural Center are just a couple of these "secret" gems.

At a time when Philadelphians are talking of creating new green areas, Fairmount Park deserves our attention, our love, and our care.

Overall, a very good guide to Philadelphia garden treasures for visitors and locals alike.

Good Reference
There are some gardens in here I've never heard of...and I've lived in the Del Val since birth! Great reference guide for our Garden Club outings!