If you loved the recent Bunny Mellon biography as much as I did (SO good!), then you won’t want to miss the latest book about the American icon, The Gardens of Bunny Mellon. Penned by Linda Jane Holden with gorgeous images shot by Roger Foley, the coffee table book would make the perfect holiday gift for the gardener in your life. Rachel “Bunny” Mellon was not simply a style icon and wife to one of the wealthiest men in America, she was also an accomplished horticulturist. At the request of President Kennedy (did you know Jackie Kennedy was her best friend?) Bunny designed the Rose Garden and the East Garden at the White House. The beautiful new book includes imagery of not only the White House gardens, but also the gardens at couturier Hubert de Givenchy’s French homes (designed by his pal Bunny, naturally…), and Bunny’s private gardens (she had residences in New York, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Antigua, and Upperville, Virginia). Pouring over the stunning photographs and reading snippets from Holden’s interviews with Bunny herself I couldn’t help but wish for a green thumb! Below, explore images from the inspiring book and if you like, order you own copy here.
The famous crab apple allée at Oak Spring, Bunny’s legendary Virginia estate.
Mellon walks the crab apple allée at Oak Spring.
Mellon in her beautiful library at Oak Spring. It was a gift from her husband for her vast collections of books and art.
The lawn of the late Givenchy’s French country house, Chateau du Jonchet. The boxwood hedges in concentric circles were inspired by the cloister garden of a monastery in Venice, Italy.
Another glimpse of Bunny’s gorgeous Oak Spring library.
Crepe myrtle blooms beside the croquet lawn at Oak Spring.
(color images by Roger Foley courtesy of Vendome Press, black & white images courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Hi Katie! I hadn’t heard of this book and am off to look it up! But I’m commenting because I saw a recent gardening book release that made me think of you — hopefully that’s not odd to say — “Paradise Gardens: The World’s Most Beautiful Islamic Gardens” by Monty Don. It covers Morocco, of course, but also gardens in Iran, Turkey, Spain, India, etc. It came out just a few days ago, and I confess that I just ordered it and don’t have it hand yet. But it looks wonderful and I thought you might enjoy!
Jess – This sounds amazing! You know me too well! Will have to include it in an upcoming Daily Hunt post! Thanks so much for the heads up!