Gardening, a Love Story:Creating Brush Hill
This is the garden love story of Charlie and Barbara Robinson and of Brush Hill, the garden they created together over five decades. Narrated by Barbara, it is the story of how two people of very different temperaments and skills worked to create a place of great beauty. Brush Hill covers over 10 acres of gardens, with formal flower borders, a rose garden, vegetable garden, woodland walks, all created and tended by Barbara, and a number of garden features and structures all built by Charlie, including a large pond, bridges, arches and his Waterworks with 14 pools, rills and waterfalls. Each year visitors and tour groups from near and far are welcome. Barbara makes clear that while they were busy creating this magical garden, the garden was working its magic on them. Full of wonders and frustrations of the garden, this delightful tale will appeal to serious gardeners, want-to-be-gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Their ongoing love story offers inspiration, encouragement, honest and funny tales of garden mistakes and the seriously hard work that a garden entails, along with the garden’s many joys.
New Book
HEROES of HORTICULTUREAmericans Who Transformed the Landscape
Here are the stories of eighteen heroes – institution builders, plant explorers and garden creators – who have had a major impact on the landscape around us. The book profiles those who were essential to the creation of The Garden Conservancy, the restoration and enhancement of public parks and public spaces, and the revitalization and establishment of botanical and other public gardens.
Books by Barbara Paul Robinson:
Secret Gardens: Revealed by their Owners Rosemary Verey 1994
Chapter “Sanctuary from the City” Barbara Robinson
The Garden Interior: A Year of Inspired Beauty David Jensen 2016
Forward by Barbara Paul Robinson
Books included in:
Connecticut Gardens: A Celebration of the State’s Historic, Public, and Private Gardens
Caryn B. Davis (2023)
The Garden Tourist’s Guide to New England: A Guide to 140 Outstanding Gardens and Nurseries
Jana Milbocker (2019)
Cottage Gardens
Tony Musgrave Photos by Jerry and Marcus Harpur (2004)
Tony Musgrave Photos by Jerry and Marcus Harpur (2004)
The Passion for Gardening
Ken Druse (2003)
Ken Druse (2003)
Ornament in the Small Garden
Sir Roy Strong (2001)
Sir Roy Strong (2001)
Country Gardening: Design Ideas and A Practical Guide
Theodore James, Jr. (2000)
Theodore James, Jr. (2000)
The Rose Book
Maggie Oster (1994)
Maggie Oster (1994)