The Gardens at Brantwood

In 1872 the most famous cultural critic in Britain moved into a dilapidated cottage in the heart of England’s Lake District and swapped his pen for a billhook. John Ruskin’s arrival in a landscape already steeped in agricultural history began an evolution that led to the extraordinary gardens at Brantwood today. Ruskin’s own gardens reflected his empathy with plants and the natural world, as well as his interests in Dante’s poetry and Renaissance painting. His Moorland Garden is one of the very first wilderness gardens, and his Zig-zaggy a surprising allegory of redemption. Ruskin’s cousin and carer, Joan Severn, created some of the earliest gardens in the naturalistic style of William Robinson. These fascinating and beautiful gardens were neglected for decades after Severn’s death but have been brought back to life by Sally Beamish. In this beautifully illustrated and comprehensive guide, eminent plant scientist, botanist and horticulturist David Ingram traces the history of the gardens. SELLING POINTS: . Beautifully illustrated with many large colour photographs . The perfect accompaniment to a visit to Brantwood house and gardens 90 colour, 7 b/w illustrations

Author Biography

Professor David Ingram OBE, VMH, FRSE is former Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh and former Master of St Catherine’s College, Cambridge. He has had a long and distinguished career in the academic field and has contributed extensively to its literature. He has also used his knowledge to bring his enthusiasm for all things botanical to a wider public, especially in the sphere of garden history.