This sumptuously illustrated volume provides an illuminating and in-depth exploration of stunning gardens at the Getty Villa. The first part of the book looks at the design, planting, and uses of ancient Roman gardens and how they inspired J. Paul Getty to create just such a garden in California. The second part is a guide to the plants in each of the five gardens at the Villa, in which noted garden historian Patrick Bowe introduces each of the gardens, and describes the underlying concepts and the relationship to the ancient Roman models. He also documents how the gardens have changed in light of new knowledge emerging from excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. This volume also includes informative descriptions of the growing habits, medicinal, culinary, and ritual uses for many of the plants.
