Product Description

Provence today is a paradise for garden makers, a natural haven where designers from all over the world mingle with homegrown family gardeners and local horticulturists. Few places have seen as many contemporary garden creations, in as wide a variety: from picturesque to minimalist, private to public, suburban plot to rural field, miniature landscape to vast environment. New Gardens in ProvenceV features 30 of the most extraordinary recent gardens in this remarkable region. Written by Louisa Jones, a specialist in Provencal food and culture and author of the now-classic Gardens in Provence, this breathtaking book visits new gardens along the Côte d’Azur, in Marseilles, Saint-Rémy, and Aix, and throughout the gorgeous countryside of southeastern France. Almost 300 stunning photographs take us behind the garden gate to experience the beauty of meadow and woodland tableaux, magnificent stone terracing, formal topiary arrangements, lush flowerbeds, and even a mountainside project by artist Andy Goldsworthy.

While these man-made landscapes may reflect international trends in garden design, they never lose their harmony with the countryside. As this beautiful book demonstrates, today’s gardens are not only a reflection of the region’s “sense of place,” but also an integral part of the Provencal art de vivre.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221964 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

From Booklist
A versatile author and journalist, Jones is also a recognized expert on the gardening disciplines and design styles associated with the verdant and iconic region of Provence. Inspired by a diverse Mediterranean garden palette, professional and amateur gardeners are attracted to the region's endless mountaintop vistas of vineyards, olive groves, and intricate stone terraces that hide nooks teeming with herbs and flowers. However, a new landscape trend has emerged, one Jones identifies as "Land Art," which synthesizes a return to traditional design practices such as precisely sculpted greenery and geometrical field plantings with a contemporary awareness of ecology that recognizes human intervention in the landscape. From the Cote d'Azur to the Luberon hills, this exquisitely produced and informative guide exhibits 30 gardens that best interpret this new design approach. Hundreds of arresting photographs capture Provence's seductive allure, making this an intoxicating treat for armchair travelers as well as an enchanting resource for garden enthusiasts. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
LOUISA JONES is a prolific author and journalist who has lived in Provence for more than 30 years. A specialist in Provencal food and culture, she has published more than 15 books in French and English on gardening and cooking, including STC’s Provence Harvest. Her 1992 book Gardens in Provence focused on traditional gardens in the region.

BRUNO SUET studied architecture before pursuing a career in photography. He contributes to a range of magazines, is the author of the award-winning book Le Temps du thé, and has presented his work in numerous exhibitions.

Customer Reviews

Inspirational Gardens
This is a very lovely book with large beautiful photos. I had been looking for a book that captured the true essence of Provencal gardens. The narratives were very informative as well. Because these were "modern" gardens I felt that the look they presented was attainable for my own garden design. One negative is the book does not go into much detail about the actual plants used. There is some plant descriptions but not as much as I hoped. I was also looking forward to more photos of the garden on the front cover. Overall, the book is one of my favorites and will be a source of reference for my ongoing gardening projects!

Provencal Art de Vivre
The French country garden has experienced a renaissance in recent years. Following Rousseau's stipulation to "please the eye" the reader will find this is accomplished by placing what Jones identifies as "Land Art," right at the heart of the garden and making it the focus. Around it, she strikes a personal balance between formality and gentle disorder.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic region of Provence, New Gardens in ProvenceV features 30 designs detailing the full extent and exciting diversity of the modern French country garden.

Hundreds of arresting photographs capture Provence's seductive allure that are sure to gain favor among Francophiles. St. Fiacre the patron saint of gardens would approve of this wonderful celebration of new interpretations of French gardens, old-fashioned techniques, and the rediscovering of obscure heirlooms.

great book
I am a horticulturist and wanted a book to research a Provencal garden I wanted to design for a client. I was leary because there were many books and I was not sure which one would be good. I made a great pick. The pictures are great and provided me with lots of ideas. The author knows a lot about gardens and specifically design. I highly recommend to anyone that wants to creat a garden with high design and a great spiritual feel.