Hedge Britannia

This is the story of how British

hedgerows contribute to our national identity and our wildlife. Over

the centuries we have proved ourselves to be a nation of hedge growers,

marking boundaries or trimming them into fantastical creations. From

formal garden features to emphatically rustic barriers, Hugh explores

our hedges in all their diversity.







Hedge Britannia offers a witty

insight into the history of hedges and the way they relate to our

culture as well as our landscape. Hugh travels the breadth of Britain

meeting fellow enthusiasts who range from horticultural experts to the

Brixton man who lovingly cultivated a whale-shaped hedge and ran into

trouble with the local council. As well as two full-colour plate

sections, there are case studies about hedges of particular note, like

the towering Meikleour beech hedge, the castellated hedge and spectacular topiary at Levens

Hall and the bamboozling hedge maze at Chatsworth (where Hugh got

predictably and happily lost).











Both pithy and informative, this is The Cloudspotter's Guide meets Flora Britannica.