Cultivating Connection with Nature: The Purpose of a Garden

Immerse yourself in the world of gardens and landscapes with essays and stories that inspire and encourage the development of diverse and meaningful relationships with them. In his book, Félix de Rosen proposes that a garden is not a separate place from the world, but rather a connection to it. In a time of increasing ecological and cultural fragmentation and loss, de Rosen reminds us of the significance of gardens as a space for gentle activism and abundance, and gardening as a way to engage with the more-than-human world through care, reciprocity, and creativity. Georgina Reid, editor of Wonderground Journal and author of The Planthunter: Truth, Beauty, Chaos, and Plants, describes "A Garden's Purpose" as an important and timely book.

Gardens offer a generous and powerful perspective of the world. Through stories and essays, this accessible volume takes readers on a journey to understand gardens as places where we form mutually beneficial relationships with the living world around us. They uplift us with hope and wonder as beautiful spaces, and nurture friendships and communities as gathering places. Thoughtfully crafted, they encourage us to pause and appreciate our surroundings. Filled with edible plants, they nourish us, while their diversity, both human and non-human, connects us with the colorful world we inhabit. They make us feel at home in our bodies, in our cities, and on our planet.

Each chapter of this book is dedicated to a specific idea or element of the garden, from unconventional places where gardens can thrive, to tips on garden management and the use of color and texture to enhance the space. The book features hundreds of gardens from around the world, captured in glorious full-color photographs. Whether you're a home gardener, landscape designer, or looking for a gift for a fellow gardener, this book serves as a celebration of the wonder, design, and habitat of gardens, and as an inspiration to cultivate meaningful relationships with the natural world that surrounds us.

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