The Garden at Highgrove.

by Charles III, Candida Lycett Green

When The Prince of Wales bought Highgrove House in 1981 the surroundings consisted of a brown path which ran around the house, a lawn and a few thorn bushes. Twenty years later, he has transformed the land adjoining the house into several exquisite gardens which embody his gardening ideals and organic principles. With help from some of Britain s finest designers, including The Marchioness of Salisbury, Rosemary Verey, Miriam Rothschild and Sir Roy Strong, the Prince of Wales has created highly individual gardens which have now, with his own ideas, reached maturity. The Prince of Wales describes the thinking behind each garden, the mistakes and the triumphs, and his plans for the future. Lavishly illustrated with photographs which capture both the scope and detail of each garden, this is a book which will delight and inspire both gardeners and horticulturalists at every level.

Genres: Gardening, British Literature, Horticulture, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2001

About the author

As the oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, King Charles III is the king of the United Kingdom. He ascended to the throne after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022. He is the oldest person ever to assume the British throne.

Under public scrutiny his entire life, Charles graduated from Trinity College before embarking on a military career which culminated with him commanding the HMS Bronington. He married Diana Spencer in the summer of 1981 to huge media fanfare, though the couple would eventually divorce in 1996 after years of gossip and scandal. Charles later wed longtime love, Camilla Parker Bowles, some time after Princess Diana's death. He is the father of Princes William and Harry and is also a grandfather. Among his many philanthropic and environmental endeavors are the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Rainforest Project.

Reviews

[False · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who has ever done serious gardening would laugh at this book. A man of unlimited wealth has a garden....and gardeners....and landscape architects and massive urns disproportion in size sent from Italy. Nary a week. Everything blooming. No broken blossoms. No smashed trees or greenhouse glass. There are some photographs of the Prince pruning, wearing a pressed blue cotton shirt and clean pressed khakis. It's laughable. Shades of Marie Antoinette. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "The rich are different from you and me," and he wasn't kidding. A pretty little book for a pretty little table in a pretty house on pretty land.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One does not have to be a fan of the British Royal family or a gardener to enjoy this beautiful book. Lovely photos through all seasons along with interesting commentary on how the gardens came to be.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of Prince Charles in general, but the gardens at Highgrove are spectacular

[Claudia]

I didn't exactly read this. I examined the photos, which are beautiful, read the captions and whatever else caught my attn. Beautiful coffee table book.

[Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Simply Wow

[Herbert]

Very Good

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and inspiring read! It did contain a lot of jargon and technicalities that went way over my head, but was interesting nonetheless.

[Mlg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book with lots of pictures and illustrations detailing how the Prince of Wales created a garden at his country house and principal residence. Lots of good advice on organic gardening too.
Of course it helps to have unlimited funds and a cadre of experienced gardeners who do the heavy lifting.

[Tc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read with an unassuming side of the Prince revealed, easy to read and put down and return to. Just the idea that he is advised to whip over to Italy and purchase some Italian sculpture puts him back in his status: beyond that of most of us.

[Monica]

To give everyone a clear picture of how elitist Prince Charles is, the book of botanical paintings from Highgrove Florilegium will be priced between $20,000.00 and $30,000.00.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns out Prince Charles really wasn't a whacko, he was just really ahead of his time regarding organic gardening! Very interesting and gorgeous book about the gardens at his primary residence.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this. I didn't read it word for word but the pictures alone make this book stand out. Lots of interesting insight about Charles, in my opinion.

[Jane Dugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fabulous! Beautiful gardens & amazing photographs. I hope to see this garden in person one day.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

And what would your garden look like if you had unlimited wealth and time to lavish upon it?

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rather surprised to find that HRH got his wellies dirty in pursuit of his perfect garden.

[Magpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meryl 2016



You will want this garden, accept the envy now :)