Reading the Garden

Examining individual gardens, both public and private, this book illuminates the meaning and uses of gardens and gardening in Australia from white settlement to the late 20th century. Exploring memory and belonging, domestication and civilization, nationalism and identity, the themes are woven into a compelling narrative around gardens and landscape. The guide also explains how gardens have helped make meaning and home in a new place, enabled connections with the Australian environment or rejection of it, and facilitated the development of friendships and social connections.