Author Description

This is a classic memoir by one of the most famous landscape gardeners of the 20th century which describes the author’s training and the development of his many celebrated gardens. Russell Page was born in 1906 and studied art at the Slade School in London before a love of plants drew him to garden design. In his career he designed gardens all over the world, from Leeds Castle in Kent to the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Garden at the Pepsi Cola Headquarters in New York, as well as in France, his home for many years. The Education of a Gardener is a fascinating portrait of a master of his craft and has proved an inspirational book for many gardeners since its first publication in 1962. Written in clear and elegant prose, it is illustrated with a substantial number of photographs, including, in this edition, hitherto unpublished pictures from Page’s files. Author Russell Page became a professional gardener in 1928 after studying painting at the Slade School of Art, and in Paris. He designed a great variety of gardens in Europe, the Middle-East, North and South America, ranging from small cottage gardens to elaborate layouts including Battersea Festival Gardens in 1952. He died in 1985. After his death The Times wrote, “In a world where the gifted amateur is no longer the guiding light in the design of gardens, and in which highly qualified professionals prevail, Russell Page stood out as one of those great originals, for which England has been famous”.