Switzer
had an English background having been born in
Hampshire. In his books he implied that he was a
"gentleman who through misfortune, had turned his hand
to gardening" (Hadfield, p. 182).
Switzer obtained his experience under London and
Wise. He designed gardens particularly in North
England and possibly in Scotland. He edited a magazine
entitled, The Practical Husbandrman and
Planter.
He had a nursery garden and stand in central
London. Hadfield reports that he conducted a campaign
against Scottish gardeners who were coming in
increasing numbers to England and therefore were
competing with English nurserymen.
Among his works were Icnographia Rustica or
The Nobleman, Gentleman, and Gardeners'
Recreation (1715), The Practical Fruit
Gardener (1724), and The Practical Kitchen
Gardener (1727).
Switzer made plans for various gardens and was an
exponent of what have been called "irregular" gardens
as opposed to its established type of formal gardens
still popular at that time in England.
