A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region

The publishing of this book coincides with the 2007 Annual Philadelphia Flower Show. It covers roughly 40 or so of the major public gardens in the Philadelphia area. Nice design by Philadelphia firm of Joel Katz who have formatted the information in a user-friendly layout. Maps, color coding and tabs make it very easy to locate specific gardens. The photographs by Rob Cardillo are beautiful and, even at their small size, capture the gardens at their peak. Adam Levine's brief descriptions and histories of each garden are succint without being overly dry. My one disappointment is that, with the exception of the Azalea Gardens by the Art Museum, the Japanese House, and the West Laurel Hill Cemetery, and a brief description of the Horticultural Center, the authors do not detail the scope, history, and hidden gems of the Fairmount Park system. Granted, and due to the state of upkeep, the park may no longer be called "great." But the park is still the "lungs of the city" and has its surprises: The miraculous row of dozens of cherry trees that create a wonderful pink line towards the Japanese House every Spring, and the natural walking and bike paths that surround the Horticultural Center are just a couple of these "secret" gems. At a time when Philadelphians are talking of creating new green areas, Fairmount Park deserves our attention, our love, and our care. Overall, a very good guide to Philadelphia garden treasures for visitors and locals alike.