Magnificent gardens - all stunningly photographed - from around New Zealand, with informative and entertaining text that creates a thoughtful commentary on New Zealand gardening in the twenty-first century.

Beautifully photographed by top garden photographer Juliet Nicholas, this book is a visual feast ... but much more too. While it includes some of the most magnificent gardens in the country, it also reflects on gardening in a broader sense.

Gardens, defined as managed landscapes, are as diverse as the tastes of their managers. The gardeners in these pages include botanists, conservationists, food growers and artists, and the gardens range from a food forest on the south coast to a dry garden in Cromwell, a community garden in Christchurch, a subtropical jungle in Kapiti, a productive Maori garden on the east coast and a historic whaling station in the far north.

In the light of our growing awareness of climate change and land degradation, the role of gardeners as kaitiaki (guardians) is explored, but there is also the infectious enthusiasm that is to be found in the company of gardeners, and here you can see how they gain inspiration and share ideas. Muses include parents, brothers, sisters and spouses, and gardeners also keep close company with nature. These gardens might be seen as snapshots of a utopia we all crave.

There is enough botanical detail to appeal to the experienced gardener but it will also inspire newcomers to don gardening gloves...or sit back and enjoy what is also a superb coffee table book.