The Rothschild gardens

Abstract

Rothschild family, famed as financiers, has exerted a huge impact on Western social and political history over nearly two centuries. Less well-known, but also of significance, is their influence on the landscape, for many members of the family have been passionate gardeners. They have created gardens and parklands that have become an important part of the heritage of several countries. This volume explores the greatest Rothschild parks and gardens, as they were and as they are today. Readers visit European gardens frequented by kings and rulers. There is also a glimpse into private gardens today, including Miriam Rothschild's own beautiful conservation garden, home to birds, beasts and butterflies. Family members adopted styles of gardening and design which range from parklands to formal parterres. At the turn of the century, Alice de Rothschild spent the equivalent of nearly half-a-million pounds annually on her gardens and grounds near Grasse, France. As well as a fondness for showy bedding displays and elaborate topiary, Rothschilds have always enjoyed producing fruit and vegetables. Baron Edmond, for example, used to delight guests at his households in Paris or Boulogne by inviting them to pick fresh fruit straight from dwarf trees brought into the dining room. Containing numerous anecdotes, this book features photographs which illustrate the developments in the family's styles and scale of gardening. author conveys the competitiveness and drive for perfection that has typified the family's behaviour in gardening, as well as in business. This quest has led several Rothschilds to become plant specialists, and botanical gardens worldwide have benefitted from their collections. Miriam Rothschild is the author of Dear Lord Rothschild, Cooing Like a Dove and The Butterfly Gardener.