Gardens & Landscapes

The New Romantic Garden

From one of today’s leading garden designers, known for her keen eye for colour and modern romanticism, comes a volume that reveals in thirty exquisitely planted gardens dozens of ideas on how to adapt traditional garden design elements for today’s more ecologically based aesthetics.

Over her thirty-year career, celebrated designer Jo Thompson has become recognised for her timeless planting, well-proportioned, English-style gardens rendered modern by a staunch commitment to biodiversity—to the eye this translates as a looser formality than English gardens of the past, though every bit as romantic. 

Thompson reminds us that we are never, in complete charge of how our gardens grow; other forces are always at work, as they should be when we allow sustainable practices to help us guide rather than try to dominate nature’s own efforts. Hundreds of beautiful colour photos and chapter-by-chapter case studies of individual gardens designed around various themes provide inspiration for all gardeners who want their gardens to feel not merely well planted, but truly alive and atmospheric.

About The Author

Known for her exquisite planting, Jo Thompson is one of the UK’s leading garden designers. She has four Gold and five Silver Gilt Medals and a People’s Choice Award at RHS shows to her name and is an RHS judge and member of the RHS Show Gardens Selection Panel. Her designs are wide-ranging and rather than following fashions, Jo uses her innate understanding of place to ensure the landscapes she creates work seamlessly within their setting and for her clients. She is consistently listed as one of the top designers working today by House & Garden and Country Life magazines.

  • Publish Date: February 25, 2025
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Gardening - Garden Design
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 8-1/2 x 11
  • Pages: 240
  • US Price: $50.00
  • CDN Price: $67.50
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4675-7

Reviews

"[Jo’s] latest book defines the idea of horticultural romance by its lack of rigidity or formality, presenting the garden as, most importantly, a place that is able to form 'the backdrop for life’s moments and…memories.'" — VOGUE

"Those looking to create a garden or to update an existing one will find plenty of inspiration." — FORBES

"As one of the U.K.’s leading garden designers, Jo Thompson knows how to create masterfully designed landscapes that exude a sense of romanticism and encourage people to get outside. Her newest book, The New Romantic Garden, takes readers on a tour of 30 brilliant gardens with Thompson detailing the sustainable practices and plans that brought each to life." — VERANDA

"This book is a fresh perspective on what a “romantic” garden is today." — GARDENISTA

"Throughout the book, Lauder takes readers on a delightful journey, offering creative ideas on how to style and arrange flowers with effortless sophistication. She embraces the simple elegance of a natural palette while also celebrating the whimsical charm of vibrant, mixed blooms. Her expert tips guide readers through the art of enhancing holiday décor with seasonal florals, bringing a fresh and personal touch to every occasion." — KD HAMPTONS

"The New Romantic Garden” (Rizzoli; $50) Known for her keen eye for color and romanticism, Jo Thompson is one of today’s leading garden designers. During her 30-year career, Thompson became recognized for her timeless planting and for well-proportioned, English-style gardens rendered modern by a staunch commitment to biodiversity. “This translates as a looser formality than English gardens of the past, though every bit as romantic,” according to a press release about the new book. Featured are 240 pages filled with thirty gardens and many ideas on how gardeners can adapt traditional garden design elements for today’s more eco-friendly landscapes." — DETROIT NEWS