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P ENELOPE H OBHOUSE GARDENS OF PERSIA is the first book to

is one of gardening’s explore the evolution of the Persian paradise

Gardens of Persia
brightest stars. She is garden from its ancient beginnings to today’s
holder of the Royal modern designs. Buildings, water and plants
Horticultural Society’s combine to give the gardens of Persia a beauty
Victoria Medal of and a spiritual quality, which have inspired garden
Honour and the Garden design throughout time, and in diverse cultures.
Writers’ Guild Lifetime
Achievement Award, World-renowned author Penelope Hobhouse begins
and her garden designs with the oldest existing garden, Pasargadae, created
throughout Europe and the United States, as by Cyrus the Great more than 2,500 years ago.
well as her authoritative books, including Colour It represented paradise on earth – an enclosed
in Your Garden, Garden Style, Plants in Garden History four-fold layout providing shade, vegetation and
and The Story of Gardening, have brought her refuge. With the coming of Islam, gardens became
international acclaim. She is an associate editor places for sacred contemplation and spiritual
of Gardens Illustrated and an accomplished teacher nourishment, and developed in later centuries as
and lecturer. In 2000 and 2001 she led groups of settings for romance and, in Mughal India, as
gardeners and garden historians in Iran and made representations of power and prestige as well as
further research trips in 2002 to visit the gardens symbols of the afterlife. Penelope Hobhouse links
featured in Gardens of Persia. the development of these gardens to Persia’s great
heritage and breathtaking historical architecture,
JERRY HARPUR and to their relationship to the 21st century as she
photographs gardens and writes, “Today’s gardeners seeking to create secluded
plants all over the world havens as antidotes to the bustle of modern life are
and has won awards for following a tradition that began in Persia.”

PENELOPE HOBHOUSE
his work on both sides
of the Atlantic. In 2001, Gardens of Persia demonstrates Penelope Hobhouse’s
he was the first rare ability to combine practical knowledge of
photographer to be gardens and plants with a love of garden history
honored with the and travel. Meticulously researched in Iran and
Garden Writers’ Guild drawn from a profound understanding of gardens
Lifetime Achievement Award. His photographs are throughout the world, this wide-ranging account
published in House & Garden, Gardens Illustrated and offers a stimulating new appreciation of gardening.
Architectural Digest, and illustrate a host of books, The volume is beautifully illustrated with Jerry

Penelope Hobhouse
including, those as sole photographer for Penelope Harpur’s specially commissioned photographs
Hobhouse’s Natural Planting. He lectures in the United ‘The soft murmur of the breeze will pour forth its music; of gardens in Iran, India, Europe and the

Kingdom and the United States and is a member of
the Photographic Committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society.
Gardens of Persia
United States, and with color photographs of
The old world will find youth anew, the Judas tree will offer its purple cup to the jasmine, sumptuous carpets and Persian miniatures.
As the eye of the narcissus gazes at the anemone, after the long sorrow of exile, the warbling nightingale
Will take flight towards the shelter of the rose.’ (Hafez, c. 1324-89)

ISBN 0-9670076-6-6
54995

Jacket Images:
Front Cover: Bagh-e Eram, Shiraz © Jerry Harper
KALES
Photography by Jerry Harpur
Back Cover: Louvre © Photo RMN - Hervé Lewandowski (inv. MAO 783)
Back Flap: Penelope Hobhouse © Jerry Harper, Jerry Harper © Marcus Harper 9 780967 007663 PRESS $49.95