This reference contains over 900 photographs illustrating the gardens of the world and the developments in garden history. It ranges from the early Roman peristyle gardens as seen at Pompeii to the French Formal styles of Versailles to native plant gardens in the New World of Australia and North America. The book also contains a large collection of Chinese and Japanese gardens and many of the most influential and well-known gardens such as Sissinghurst, Giverny and Hidcote. Many more gardens are visited and their significance in garden history explained. Interspersed throughout are spreads on specific aspects of gardening such as garden sculpture, fountains, furniture, topiary, and water gardens.