The Management & Maintenance of Historic Parks, Gardens and Landscapes: The English Heritage Handbook

     The Great Storm of 1987 devastated many of England's gardens, but their restoration was an opportunity to understand better their evolution, design and future presentation. Championing a new renaissance for many of England's historic gardens, the contributors to this volume have condensed their experience into one accessible, comprehensive and lavishly illustrated guide, emphasising the principles of management, as well as its specific, botanical, horticultural historical and technical aspects.

 

 

 

 

Understanding and planning the historic landscape and garden covers the cultural evolution of the English garden, the conservation and management planning process, garden restoration, finance, legislation, staffing and opening a garden to paying visitors.

The living garden landscape examines the garden environment and issues that affect plant growth, the management of nature in historic parks and gardens, and of all vegetation types from veteran to ornamental trees, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials, annuals, turf and meadows. Included in the discussion are water gardens, rock gardens, ferneries, parterres, knot gardens and topiary, kitchen gardens, glasshouses and container growing. Weed control, the management of pests and diseases, and the selection of machinery are also addressed.

Ten case studies put the previous sections into context, covering gardens and landscapes across England, both public and private, providing a fascinating snapshot of the issues and challenges of their management.

Extensive appentices give comprehensive plant lists with cultivation details and dates of introduction to the UK, together with contact details of useful organisations.

John Watkins DHE, M.Hort. (RHS), F.Inst.Hort. is Head of English Heritage's Gardens and Landscape Team, providing policy advice and technical guidance on maintenance and management. Tom Wright BSc (Hort.) M.L.I., F.Inst.Hort., VMH is a garden and landscape consultant, who was for 25 years Senior Lecturer in Landscape Horticulture at Wye College.