The Secret Gardens of Charleston

With few exceptions the photos are dark and blurred. I see this was published in the early 2000’s so that must be why. I was so disappointed!

This was a problem with an earlier book by Cameron. I assumed, incorrectly, that the issue had been resolved in this new release. However, those of us who garden and care about the gardens of others, will find this book to be inferior, in spite of the superior subject matter. The gardens of Charleston are, indeed, secret to most of us and I was looking forward to a look. The photographs are quite dark and, while I cannot say they are actually blurry, there is not a sharpness either. Any gardening magazine features superior photographs. I am returning the book, which is something that I have never done before. Very disappointing.

Gorgeous view of behind the scenes gardens of Charleston.

Charleston is one of my favorite cities in the US. I loved looking at this book. Wish I could have a landscaper to turn my garden into one of the ones pictures. The book was most enjoyable.

Having just returned home from Charleston, I am inspired to work on my garden. This book has some great pictures for inspiration. Received the book promptly and in great shape.

Lovely book.

"Today, the garden has something in bloom all year-round: roses and sasanquas at Christmas; pansies and snaps in winter; jasmine, bulbs, and alyssum in the spring; geraniums, phlox, petunias, and impatiens in the summer. Window boxes spill periwinkle, violas, verbenas, and ferns."Louisa Pringle Carmeron loves gardening and she grew up in the mysterious world of historic gardens in Charleston, South Carolina. She lives in an eighteenth-century house and joins Lauren Preller Chambers in the creation of this beautiful book.Many of the gardens in this book cannot be seen from the street and are hidden behind ancient walls and are not open to the public. So this book is a taste of the wide variety of hidden paradise. Gardens include a Japanese Garden with delicate ferns, Italian themes with cypress reaching to the pale blue sky, Misty morning gardens near a Marsh, Herb gardens and Formal gardens with gothic style carriage houses.The quaint house with jasmine growing over the mailbox attached to a white fence reveals a sense of care and beauty. Flowerboxes outside the windows add a sense of nostalgia. The lush foliage speaks of a more humid climate.As you read this book you can imagine having picnics behind a walled garden or sipping tea on a greenhouse porch. Shaded benches and courtyards are all part of the charm. One of my favorite pictures is the courtyard with cedar trees and a fountain. The paving stones look very natural and you imagine the owners of the home must enjoy sitting out in the cooling shade in the summer.~The Rebecca Review