The Oxford companion to gardens

the long version

This volume covers the history and design of gardens across the globe--from the earliest known examples to the present day. It includes articles on roof gardens, water gardens, secret gardens, and other special types of gardens. It contains essays on garden elements such as fountains, grottoes, herbaceous borders, hedges and follies, and accounts of garden history in individual countries. Definitions of English and foreign-language garden terms are given, as well as biographies of designers, patrons, plant-collectors, and garden enthusiasts. Also included is information on landscape gardening, public parks, and international exhibitions.