The Chatelain's Garden by Dr Kate Felus

The Chatelain’s Garden explores the role of women as clients in the process of laying out landscapes. The book looks at 12 female garden creators, covering 300 years of garden design, right up to the present day. What the ladies all have in common is that they have worked with professional designers. It considers what results from the unique interaction between female client, designer and the individual characteristics of the site. The great 20th century landscape architect, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, called this interplay a ‘magical alchemy’. The talk will be an over-view of the research so far, with some context on women and gardens since 1720. As part of her research for the book Kate will be examining the role of Lady Middleton at Shrublands Hall.

Kate is a garden historian and consultant. For over quarter of a century she has advised on a wide range of designed landscapes, of all periods, from Elizabethan water gardens to Edwardian seaside parks. She is the author of The Secret Life of the Georgian Garden, a social history of 18th and early 19th century designed landscapes. The Times described the book as ‘a pioneering work and an important addition to the literature of the country house.’ Kate is currently working on a new commission for Yale University Press. The talk will be a preview of this work in progress.