Description

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A privileged view of private gardens along the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago's Gold Coast.

Ben Lenhardt, an avid gardener and preservationist, explores the rich tradition of gardening along the shore of Lake Michigan from Evanston to Lake Bluff. This area, which includes Winnetka, Highland Park, and Lake Forest, is one of the most affluent in the United States, and the gardens are verdant retreats, lushly planted and meticulously maintained. Twenty-five gardens are included, organized according to their design--classic, naturalistic, country, and experimental. Lenhardt's authoritative and engaging descriptions, based on detailed interviews with the owners, are complemented by vivid images by noted landscape photographer Scott Shigley.

About the Author

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A board member of the Garden Conservancy for more than fifteen years, Benjamin F. Lenhardt served as chair from 2011 to 2018. An avid gardener and preservationist in both Charleston, South Carolina, and Winnetka, Illinois, Lenhardt serves on the boards of Drayton Hall, the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Chicago Botanic Garden. He is a contributor to Garden Master Class, forthcoming from Rizzoli in spring 2020.

Scott Shigley is a well-known landscape photographer based in Chicago. He is the principal photographer for Movement and Meaning: The Landscapes of Hoerr Schaudt, among many publications.

Praise For…

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Named one of Flower Magazine's Favorite Books of 2020

"A must for all gardeners and garden designers."
—Bunny Williams

“[One of the] best books to give as [a] gift this year.”
—Chicago Tribune

“Dreamy gardens . . . A joy to read with four generous and colorful chapters showing classic, contemporary, country, and naturalistic gardens.”
—Flower Magazine

“There can be no better guide than Ben Lenhardt. . . . From approach to the house, arrival, exploration, and discovery, Gardens of the North Shore of Chicago gives you the opportunity to see each property as a harmonious unit of landscape design, architecture, horticulture, nature, and beauty.”
—Garden Club of America Bulletin

“[Includes] spectacular gardens.”
—Garden Design

“Visually stunning.”
—Garden Collage

“We believe there's no such thing as having too many coffee table books, especially when they are as inspiring and transportive as this one.”
—Veranda

“Enjoy learning about the North Shore of Chicago gardening world, enjoy some fabulous photography of gardens - and make a difference at the same time!”
—The Blissful Gardners 

“Gardens of the North Shore of Chicago is a long overdue book, focusing on the garden mecca of Chicago’s North Shore. . . . The inviting text is taken to another level when paired with the exquisite photographs of noted landscape photographer, Scott Shigley. You will be thrilled at the large images that let you take in the many glorious garden details, inspiring horticultural material and landscaping ideas.” 
—Private Newport with Bettie Bearden Pardee

“Gardens of the North Shore of Chicago whisks readers into the stunning green worlds . . . proving that Chicagoans don’t let a little snow disrupt their gardening.”
—Janet Mavec

“Wandering through the large photographs taken through all gardening seasons is a fine pandemic escape. Like souls, the gardens are ethereal, packed with secret haunts and passionate places that tell what the owner is all about.”
—Classic Chicago

“Gorgeous photos, and an essay accompanies each.”
—Garden Design