Hedge Britannia

Book excerpt: 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.