Gardens in China

by Peter Valder

Overview

In this new companion book to The Garden Plants of China, Peter Valder describes more than 200 gardens he has visited in China. He documents temple courtyards and gardens, evocative enclosures of ancient burial grounds and imperial tombs, and public parks, botanical gardens, and arboreta, most of which have sprung up since 1949.

Gardens in China is illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, many of them depicting gardens not previously illustrated in any Western publication, as well as reproductions of illustrations of historical interest. With their distinctive characteristics, the gardens of China are among the most fascinating in the world. This book is essential reading for visitors to China with an interest in gardens, garden history, and Chinese culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780881925555
Publisher:	Timber Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/01/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	8.78(w) x 11.44(h) x 1.14(d)

About the Author

Born in Australia and brought up in the bush, Peter Valder's early interest in the Australian flora was stimulated by local amateur botanists. He went on to become a plant pathologist and mycologist after graduating from the Universities of Sydney and Cambridge. He was pleased to later become involved in the teaching of general botany in addition to his mycological work. Peter has also been an office bearer of the Linnean Society and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science. Since drifting into the popularizing of Australian botany and horticulture, he has made appearances on radio and television, wrote for magazines, and lectured to organizations concerned with plants and gardens. His interest in gardening has taken him to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and China, from which he has introduced numerous plants suited to the Australian climate. Also, he has visited gardens in Britain, New Zealand, North America, France, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, and Korea, accumulating photographs with which to illustrate his lectures and writings.

Read an Excerpt

Mouchou Hu (Mouchou Lake)

This lake is named after Lu Mochou, a woman of the Southern Qi Kingdom (479-502), who is supposed to have lived here. It is just outside the line of the western wall of the old city and has been a famous scenic spot at least since the Song. It is said that the first Ming emperor played chess here with his general Xu Da in the Winning Chess Hall, though presumably the present building of the name must do no more than commemorate the alleged event.

After 1949 the area was rejuvenated and is said to have become the city's most admired park, though it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Various buildings are grouped along the southern shore of the lake, rockeries have been constructed, and a statue of Lu Mochou now stands in the middle of a pond in one of the courtyards (fig. 5.75). A wide range of traditional Chinese garden plants has been established, including bananas, lotuses, snowball trees, Paulownia fortunei, various crabapples, Wisteria sinensis and flowering peaches.

Owing to its popularity this park exhibits the well-worn look which is so often the lot of such places. And from time to time it falls victim to the vagaries of taste. When I visited it, a subsidiary lake, with water so enriched that it was completely covered by floating weeds, had clusters of red and yellow umbrellas distributed over its entire surface. I suspect that, with its auspicious colours, this expression of creativity received much approval.

Photo above: Umbrellas arranged on the weed-covered surface of a pond, Mouchou Lake, Nanjing.

Editorial Reviews

Valder’s illuminating compilation of more than 200 gardens promises to provide the ultimate resource for future travelers, who, before embarking on a trip, can study and savor images and information on diverse horticultural realms located throughout China. . . . A lavish record of famed Imperial gardens as well as fascinating examples of lesser-known temples, parks, and botanical arboreta. . . . Encompassing a treasury of plant portraits, stunning architectural details, and awe-inspiring vistas, Valder’s chosen topic is rendered in such depth as to rouse armchair dreamers and act as a call to action for avid garden trekkers.” —Booklist
 
“This book will appeal to any gardener with an interest in Chinese culture or, better yet, a plan to journey there.” —The Boston Globe

“Authoritative and readable, this title is a required reference for both landscape design and Asian studies collections.” —Choice
 
“An excellent summary of the history of Western experiences in China. . . . After reading The Gardens of China, I would love to return to that country. . . . If I do, this book will be my primary guide.” —Pacific Horticulture

“Useful to find so many wonderful gardens, most of them photographed by the author on his frequent trips to China.” —National Gardener
 
“It is essential reading for visitors to China with an interest in gardens and for those interested in garden history and Chinese culture.” —Professional Gardener

“Mr. Valder’s large–format book with excellent photographs on almost every page does justice to this most remarkable garden tradition.” —American Rhododendron Society Journal

“It is useful to find so many wonderful gardens, most of them photographed by the author on his frequent trips to China.” —National Gardener
 

From the Publisher

"It is useful to find so many wonderful gardens, most of them photographed by the author on his frequent trips to China." Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, March 2003

National Gardener - Joanne S. Carpender

"An excellent summary of the history of Western experiences in China ... After reading The Gardens of China, I would love to return to that country ... If I do, this book will be my primary guide."—Richard A. Brown, Pacific Horticulture, Winter 2003

Pacific Horticulture - Richard A. Brown

"An excellent summary of the history of Western experiences in China ... After reading The Gardens of China, I would love to return to that country ... If I do, this book will be my primary guide."—Richard A. Brown, Pacific Horticulture, Winter 2003
— Richard A. Brown

Pacific Horticulture

"It is useful to find so many wonderful gardens, most of them photographed by the author on his frequent trips to China." Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, March 2003
— Joanne S. Carpender

National Gardener