Russian parks and gardens

"In spite of a climate that makes gardening difficult, some of the world's greatest parks have been created in Russia. Garden historian Peter Hayden narrates a comprehensive history of Russian parks and gardens, spanning more than eight hundred years from the first Byzantine-influenced gardens in the twelfth century A.D., through to the present day." "Illustrated with the author's own photographs and with copious plans, drawings, engravings and paintings, many of which are from rare archive sources, this detailed discussion of some of the most beautiful and historically interesting parks and gardens in the world promises to become an instant classic."--book jacket.