The New Romantic Garden - a book review

The New Romantic Garden

by Jo Thompson

Rizzoli, 2025

Jo Thompson is a noted UK garden designer who has won numerous awards at RHS shows. Her style is the epitome of the "romantic English garden" idea - sumptuous borders packed with perennials in pastel colors, arches covered with roses, idyllic meadows and garden rooms.

But what is the "new" romantic garden? Described as a fresh perspective of utilizing this lush gardening style into the present-day world, it places an emphasis on organic gardening, biodiversity, plant and soil health. 

A scene from the author's own garden...

Photo: Rachel Warne

In this gorgeous book, Thompson showcases thirty of her gardens, all beautifully described and photographed.  From estate gardens to a London penthouse roof garden, they provide sumptuous eye-candy and inspiration.

A peek inside...

A London city garden filled with roses and iris (Photo: Jason Ingram)

Writer Justine Picardie's garden in Norfolk evokes a feeling of a rustic country house in the French countryside. (Photo: Rachel Warne)

A show garden featuring a creative water garden with a stone spiral art piece
(Photo: Katy Donaldson)

Pastoral views of the Wealden countryside surround an ancient farmhouse.
(Photo: Jason Ingram)

The New Romantic Garden is now available in book stores. You can also find a copy on Amazon.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Rizzoli Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy