Gardens of Tuscany

This magnificent book takes the reader/viewer on a magical trip to the majestic gardens of Tuscany. Divided into three distinct sections: Siena, Lucca and Florence, this is definitely not a book for getting "how to" tips on gardening in the U.S.A. These so-called gardens are perfect for imagination day dreams or movie settings. These are not your marigold and petunia gardens. Instead you will be transported to another time and another place where semi-circular pools, hillside terraces, lime and ilez shade trees, sunflower fields and espaliered vines share space with secret gardens of peach, olive and magnolia trees underplanted with crocuses, daffodills, irises, lilies and roses or box-edged flower gardens, bowling greens and fountains.Each wonderful photograph is fully explained as to where it is and how it relates to the buildings which share the acreage and to the families who own the villas.Not one of those cumbersome, oversized books, it is easily held and easily read. Historian, Sir Harold Acton, has written a lovely introduction and one feature that I found fascinating was a listing of the public gardens in the book, since most of the Tuscan gardens are, naturally, private. Recommended.