Sissinghurst: The Dream Garden

by Tim Richardson

Step inside the world's most famous garden and understand the strength of its attraction in this beautiful and fascinating study.

Since is was bought and transformed by writer Vita Sackville West and diplomat Harold Nicholson in the 1930s, this garden has captured imaginations with its unique and intricate design.

This unforgettable garden of rooms is influential today for its design, its exuberant planting, and its effect on visitors as a complete garden experience.

Author Tim Richardson explores its power and its magic, explaining the nuances of its evolution and shows how we can all enjoy it today. 

Beautiful photographs transport you to the National Trust property, showcasing it in all its brilliance.

Genres: Gardening, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

SISSINGHURST is a gorgeous coffee book filled with splendid color photos and illustrations of the world’s most famous garden, alongside a detailed bio of its owners, the famed writer Vita Sackville West and her diplomat husband, Harold Nicholson.

One can only be awed by the array of garden rooms, their dreamlike quality and innovative design. They represent a kind of free Eden for a couple known for their open marriage and same-sex liaisons.

A stunning book that should appeal to gardeners of all stripes, and those wishing a peaceful respite from the COVID pandemic.

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 01 Sep 2020

Thanks to the author, Quarto Publishing Group — White Lion Publishing, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#SissinghurstTheDreamGarden #NetGalley

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous coffee book filled with beautiful color photos and illustrations of the world’s most famous garden I never have heard about. Still, I would like to visit this one day. What a great book of art and for reference book. Loved it!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I was wanting after I finished reading ‘The White Garden!’ So many more photos of this infamous garden & Vitas “tower” - it’s just a beautiful, inspiring place. I hope one day to see it in person.

[Phillip Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sissinghurst has to be one of the most written-about gardens on earth - there are several that precede this one as well as multiple biographies of the garden creators, Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. This is a beautiful book (the photographs are exquisite) that explores each area of the garden (the "garden rooms") and details the plantings and the design. I took away one star due to the fact that in some chapters, I felt like I was back in my college literature classes. A heavy-handed analysis of hidden meanings and the garden as metaphor often brings the book to a crawl. At times I wasn't sure if I were reading a book about gardens or a literary analysis. Still, a stunning book that brings insight into the history of an unforgettable garden and the fascinating lives of the people who created it..

[romney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language is rather flowery(!) in places and I think the author sometimes reaches for connections that aren't really there BUT this book is still excellent. It is methodical. There are many large, recent photographs of almost every part of the garden. Plant lists are provided and there is a wealth of historical detail about both the making of each part of the garden and the changes over time. Certainly enough information here to recreate the White Garden etc if that's your thing. It's ideal for people familiar with the garden who want to learn more (like me) or if you can't go there and want to be shown around virtually by an expert. I thought I knew the garden pretty well, but saw lots of new things on a trip this week, after reading this book.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful English Garden

If you enjoy looking at photographs of beautiful gardens, this book will certainly tickle your fancy. While I have visited England, I did not go to Kent, where this garden is located. The book’s photographs cover all seasons and all times of the day. I thought the photographs of the garden in the morning with a slight mist and frost on the ground were particularly beautiful. The book is divided by the garden’s sections, and a fair amount of text explains the context, restoration, and additions done by poet-author Vita and her husband, Harold. Clearly, they had a flair for color but also sometimes explored varieties of a particular plant, like roses and even thyme. As we are limited at this time, not being able to physically travel too far afield, armchair travel as afforded by this book is welcome. A beautiful, fun book for armchair travelers and gardeners alike.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

For £30, you have to make sure the recipient of this book really knows and likes Sissinghurst. And likewise, with the forensic detail of what's where and when it got there and why, and what it all meant to the famous creators of the place, you have to make sure the recipient of this is going to be on board with such detail and description. The superlative photographs show the floral displays at their best, meaning you don't really get a through-the-seasons view of the place other, differently structured guide books might aim for. But this visit to all the 'rooms' of the exterior of the estate is full of trainspotterly insight that the right audience will love. It wasn't exactly a book for me, per se (and indeed neither might be the place itself, for I preferred the views of the moat areas, and the tower seemed fascinating), but anyone can tell that this achieves what it sets out to do, and likewise how much this will mean to the right reader.

[Kerrie Hoar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If a garden is to be considered an art form, rather than simply a hobby or pastime, then in the pantheon of British gardens, Sissinghurst might be compared to the Mona Lisa."

Pairing a VERY detailed description of each segment of the garden with some of the history of Sissinghurst, and accented by gorgeos photographs of the gardens, the author has compiled a complete guide to Sissinghurst Gardens that is a joy to read. Each chapter delves into one section of the gardens - the Rose Garden, Nuttery, White Garden, Tower Lawn, etc. Lovely watercolor maps of each garden include detailed legends listing the species planted throughout each plot. If this book is any indication of the beauty of Sissinghurst Gardens, a trip to Kent and a visit to Sissinghurst would be a welcome adventure.

I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sissinghurst The Dream Garden by Tim Richardson is a beautiful garden book full of rich history and stunning, detailed photographs.

Sissinghurst in Kent, England is very famous and much visited. Harold Nicholson and Vita Sackville-West are the original owners. Vita was the visionary behind this garden and the book often reads like her memoir or garden journal.

Richardson mixes history and biography right in with the depictions of a garden visit. Like we are there getting a tour. In a time when travel is restricted I loved “visiting” the Rose Garden and also the Herb Garden. I loved the inclusions of Virginia Wolf’s erotic impressions of the bees and apples.

Come visit the Cottage and Tower gardens. Or visit the most while you learn about Vita’s vision.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone that is or has been a gardener will have heard of Sissinghurst Garden, and dreamt of visiting it in person. This book, whilst not enabling one physically being there, the book does transports the mind to the garden with its wonderful photos, colour, plantings and planning in such a scale and vision that we would never see today. Then there is the history and the creators the peopled it, with their ideas and vision, this book has it all. A wonderful book to take ideas from or just to marvel in the past.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited this legendary garden long time ago and was happy to visit again via this book.
Gorgeous pictures and interesting text make this book a must read for anyone interested in gardens.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the creation and evolution of the Sissinghurst Garden. I enjoyed seeing the pictures and learning more about the garden. I was not as interested in the aspects of the book that focused on the untraditional marriage of the creators.

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A world renowned garden, this book is full of beautiful pictures of this charming, well tended jewel of a garden. World famous, complete with its garden rooms, any gardener would be interested in viewing this book.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book that I will return to again and again. This is my fantasy — Sissinghurst gardens, a castle and my own tower! Gorgeous photography and he ties the plantings and gardens to Harold and Vita’s lives beautifully.

[Pip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am excited to be planning a visit to this garden in ‘25, so was delighted to find this in my local library. The living explanations, including the history of the garden have set me up for a more knowledgeable visit. The lists of plants and when they found their way to the garden are admirable.

[Odette Lattimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly beautiful book, well layed out.
I have seen this garden many times over the years and now cannot wait to go back. Will definitely purchase this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sumptuous photography but dry, uncritical prose.

[Louise Duckworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was rambling on and on... interesting planting schemes though

[Courtney Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous coffee table book that a person could take pride in owning. It offers both inspirations for gardeners who actually work in a real garden and those so-called gardeners who like everything to be just so without actually getting dirt under the nails!

Filled with breathtaking colour photos and illustrations of this famous garden, it also delves into the lives of the creators of the garden, famed author Vita Sackville West and her diplomat husband, Harold Nicholson. Each page is more stunning than the next.


A book of art and a great reference book.

Glorious.