Book Description: William Robinson's revolutionary book, The
Wild Garden, envisioned an authentically naturalistic approach
to gardening that is more vital today than ever before. First
published in 1870, The Wild Garden evolved through many editions
and remained in print through the remainder of the author's
lifetime (1838--1935). In the book, Robinson issued a forceful
challenge to the prevailing style of the day, which relied upon
tender plants arranged in rigidly geometrical designs. In sharp
contrast, Robinson advocated for the use of hardy, locally
adapted native and exotic plants arranged according to local
growing conditions. Robinson's vision was inspired by his first-
hand observations of natural habitats in Europe and North
America, and he put his ideas into practice in his own garden at
Gravetye Manor in West Sussex. The Wild Garden was ground-
breaking and hugely influential in its day, and is stunningly
relevant to twenty-first century gardeners and landscape
stewards seeking to adopt sustainable