Chronicles the evolution of the Persian garden for the first time. Penelope Hobhouse visits some of the most exceptional modern and historical gardens in Iran to explore the origins and history of the Persian garden from the 5th century BC up to today's modern designs, linking her discoveries with developments in the history and culture of Persia.
The settiing; climate; water. Part 1 Historical overview: tracing the development of Persian gardens from the earliest times. Part 2 Paradise for the faithful: the influence of Islamic Arab conquest of Persia on garden design throughout the Middle East, India and Spain. Part 3 The influence of Persian gardens on the design of gardens in the West.