William Robinson has been described as one of the greatest gardeners of all time. A widely read and influential gardening book, this work went through 15 editions in the author's lifetime, plus many reprints to satisfy the huge demand. Robinson's great contribution to garden design lay in his loathing of the formal bedding arrangements so loved by the Victorians, and his belief that hardy plants should replace annuals. His influence was so remarkable that the informality he preached is still the predominant fashion today. Indeed, the word Robinsonian has entered the language to describe the natural-informal and even the wild garden that were his favourite themes.