The Old Country
Australian Landscapes, Plants and People

This passionate, wise and witty book tells stories about the Australian natural landscape.

George Seddon (Author)

9780521696869, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 October 2006

286 pages, 110 colour illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

'This is an exquisite work. It is lovely to hold and to look at, to feel as well as the writing itself. There is a tremendous mix of poetry, reflection, personal history. The Old Country is a triumph. It is magnificent.' Robyn Williams, 'The Science Show' ABC Radio

We are a nation of gardeners, and we take pleasure in tending our backyards. But this pleasure sits uneasily with our knowledge that the places where most of us live are running out of water. We suspect that our lawns and many of our plants from the damp climates of northern European gardens are too demanding of scarce supplies, but can't imagine our streets and gardens without them. The Old Country opens our eyes, and minds, to other possibilities. It does so by telling us stories about our natural landscape. George Seddon believes that the better we understand the delicacy and beauty of our natural environment, the more 'at home' we will feel as Australians. This passionate, wise and witty book, enriched with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations, suggests that the answers to our water problems lie here, at home.

1. Introduction
2. First encounters
3. The Boab
4. Learning
5. The Conifers
6. The Banksias
7. Mediterraneity
8. On being deciduous
9. By design
10. Weeds
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Landscape gardening [WMQL], Horticulture [TVS]