There's something hauntingly beautiful about gardens lost to time—places where nature has slowly reclaimed what was once meticulously cultivated, where human dreams of paradise now exist only in memory and stories. In Lost Gardens of the World, author Sandra Lawrence takes us on an extraordinary journey to forty such horticultural treasures from around the globe.
From the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan in England, which lay buried under vegetation for decades before their rediscovery, to Las Pozas in Mexico with its surreal concrete sculptures emerging from jungle foliage, and Le Jardin Majorelle in Morocco with its vibrant blue architecture, each garden has a unique tale to tell. Some are grand stately homes, others floating allotments or roof gardens—all united by the romance of places where beauty once flourished.
What makes this collection truly special is the marriage of Lawrence's evocative storytelling with bespoke illustrations by renowned artist Lucille Clerc. Each garden receives its own beautiful illustration, bringing these spaces back to life on the page even when they can no longer be experienced in reality. The book becomes a living archive of places that might otherwise be lost to history forever.
These aren't just collections of plants and flowers—they're windows into different cultures, historical periods, and human dreams. Learn about the Crowninshield Garden in the USA, the Garden of Dreams in Nepal, and Paleis Het Loo in the Netherlands. Discover the remarkable stories behind their creation, their decline through neglect or destruction, and occasional rebirth thanks to dedicated communities.
Whether you're a dedicated gardener, an armchair traveler, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of nature and human creativity, this book offers something special. It's a reminder that while physical gardens may fade, their beauty and stories can live on through the written word and art.
