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Garden Design Books

RHS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS

Editor-in-Chief Christopher Brickell, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 978-1-4053-3296-5, Published 2008, RRP £60.00

RHS Encyclopedia Of Garden PlantsThis has to be one of the most important books for anyone from the keen amateur gardener to the professional garden designer. Containing over 15,500 plant descriptions this publication is the most comprehensive encyclopedia of its kind. This third edition has been updated to include recent changes in nomenclature along with 200 new images, extension of some genera including Nemesia and Alstroemeria and a new look at other cultivars such as Hosta and Magnolia.

I have owned all three editions and it is always the first book consulted when researching plants either for my own garden or a client’s. Over the years small physical adjustments have been made, most of which make it easier to handle. The first edition was one volume of over 1000 pages weighing 4.5kg (10lbs). This definitely made it a weighty tome! This problem was solved in the second edition when it was split into two volumes. The latest edition has removed the dust jacket entirely and the two books have a very strong outer cover designed to look like a dust jacket. Unfortunately one fairly crucial change (to me at least) has been made. Previous designs have included Keys on the first and last pages of the book that explain references in the text such as Pruning Groups and Frost Hardiness with the second edition having these printed in both volumes making the information very easy to find. However these are missing from the new edition and appear only in the front of the first volume in amongst information on cultivation, plant groups etc; I have carefully removed the relevant pages from my old books and stuck them in the new ones.

If you could only own one book on plants this should be the one to choose. If you are not a gardening professional and already own a previous edition it may not be worthwhile purchasing the latest version however professional gardeners and designers do need to keep up with changes in nomenclature and new cultivars and this publication is the best at covering a huge range of plants. As with any plant description book it should always be remembered that certain aspects need to be read with some knowledge of local growing conditions as the way plants behave (for example size) can vary considerably not only from one part of the country to the other but also from one neighbour’s garden to another, however this has to be the best source of written information available. Buy this book

© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

JOE’S URBAN GARDEN HANDBOOK

Joe Swift, Quadrille Publishing Limited, ISBN 978-1-84400-611-3, Published 2008, RRP £20.00

Joe's Urban Garden Handbook This book is aimed primarily at owners of urban gardens who wish to make major changes to their outdoor spaces themselves. It gives advice on employing designers and contractors to help achieve their goals but the main emphasis is to give the amateur all the information they need in order to make their perfect urban oasis.

However designers who have had little or no experience of designing such spaces should also find this book very useful. The beautiful photographs will provide plenty of inspiration and although some can be found in other publications and magazines the majority are previously unseen (at least by the reviewer) and illustrate the subject matter perfectly.

Many clients do not have large budgets and it is refreshing to find a book that keeps this in mind, showing both examples of gardens that probably cost tens of thousands of pounds to build as well as giving helpful tips on how to improve an existing space without spending a small fortune.

This book explores the use of materials and plants within the urban setting and gives ideas for solutions to recurring problems such as lack of privacy, need for storage and a wide range of uses. By simply scanning quickly through the pages it becomes obvious that ‘urban garden’ style is the use of clean lines with minimal amount of hard landscaping materials used in subtle combinations often softened by clever planting. On a more detailed read, the essential design considerations are explained and will certainly help any designer, whether professional or amateur, to create a wonderful urban environment.

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© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

GREEN ROOFS: IN SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Steven L Cantor, Norton, ISBN 978-0-393-73168-2, Published December 2008, RRP £40.00

Green Roofs: In Sustainable Landscape Design Green roofs are now recognised as an important component in helping to combat pollution and reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the urban environment. Major cities around the world are beginning to take the benefits of such systems extremely seriously.

This book, written by Steven L Cantor, a landscape architect in New York City, largely focuses on commercial and public sites in North America with detailed case studies from both the USA and Canada. These follow individual projects from conception through to planting and even include plant lists for each site.

Europe, as the predecessor of green roofs in North America is given its place. Locations from all over Europe are featured including London. I did not know that green roofs in London began because of the black redstart! They were found to be breeding on a proposed development site and it was decided to move their habitat from the ground to the roof of the new buildings.

Cantor also examines the different types of green roofs from typical roof gardens containing trees and shrubs to large expanses planted only with sedums, their methods of construction and advantages over normal roofing. Different materials and planting mediums are discussed and lists of suitable plants for projects are given.

Although this book is aimed mainly at the North American market any designer thinking of undertaking a similar task should find this publication useful. Even designers of smaller projects in this country should find the features on construction and planting etc very useful: no matter where in the world a project is carried out there are certain basic rules that should always be followed.

For anyone interested in sustainable landscape design and how green roofs fit into this philosophy this book is an excellent source of information.

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© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

THE VERTICAL GARDEN: FROM NATURE TO THE CITY

Patrick Blanc, Norton, ISBN 978-0393732597, RRP £32.00

Book Cover - The Vertical Garden This is the book anyone who has seen Patrick’s vertical gardens either in the flesh, in magazines or on television has been waiting for. I am sure what is on everyone’s mind is ‘How does he do it?’ But perhaps another question should be ‘Why does he do it?’

This book follows Patrick’s life story from a five-year old who is fascinated by the tropical aquarium in his doctor’s waiting room and subsequent experiments with aquariums at home, to becoming a scientist and researcher travelling the world studying plants and their environment. Although initially interested in both plants and fish Patrick was soon drawn to the world of aquatic plants and their ecosystems including the ability of roots to filter water. It is interesting to follow the evolution of the huge vertical gardens we see today from their origin as a wood plank covered in sealant, followed by an old floor cloth covered in algae to the use of synthetic recycled fabrics.

Every gardener knows one of the keys to success is choosing the right plant for the right place. The first and largest section of this book is dedicated to plants in their natural habitats all around the world. How, why and what plants are successful in different locations such as waterfalls, cliffs and caves are described in detail and illustrated with beautiful photographs. Seeing plants that gardeners grow in soil on level ground such as Hosta, thriving on wet rocks bordering waterfalls was an eye-opener.

The second section concentrates on both the beneficial and detrimental effects plants can have when growing on buildings. We are all familiar with moss and algae growing on roof tiles and damp walls that often add character and in themselves do no damage and Buddleja davidii that likes to seed itself into old walls eventually pulling them apart. Photographs taken at the Ta Phrom temple in Angkor illustrate plants invading buildings at their extreme with one strangler Ficus growing to huge proportions with its gigantic roots gradually prising open the stones of the wall.

Then comes the bit we all want to know. The third section describes how it’s done! First he describes how, in 1994, he moved into the world of outdoor vertical gardening when he was asked to create an exhibit at the Chaumont-sur-Loire Festival and the following sequence of events that led him to meet the architect Jean Nouvel (who contributed the Preface) and with whom he has worked on many projects including the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. Then we see his home and both indoor and outdoor living walls which are used to test new theories of planting. Finally the structure, installation and maintenance of his work is laid bare with photographs from various projects illustrating different parts of the process.

The last section is a gallery of gardens, both internal and external, from around the world. If I had the money I would like to embark on a round-the-world Patrick Blanc tour!

This book will be an inspiration for anyone interested in plants, the environment, gardening, design and so much more.

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© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

DESIGN YOUR GARDEN

Diarmuid Gavin, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 1-4053-0545-2, RRP £16.99

Book Cover - Design Your Garden Diarmuid is famous for his often weird, wacky and somewhat impractical garden designs but this book is the complete opposite. Whether you are a garden designer or simply a homeowner looking for inspiration this book could prove invaluable. All the basics of good garden design are covered, with text written in an informal yet informative style. Excellent photographs illustrate all styles of garden, plants and materials, giving the reader an excellent starting point to trigger ideas.

One excellent chapter uses black and white drawings to illustrate how to use shape and line within different spaces. Each shape of plot is given a minimum of three examples in the use of circles, curves, squares and rectangles. Other chapters include garden style, materials, colour and planting. It is well known that Diarmuid doesn’t like drawing his designs in any detail and perhaps the ‘Planning your design’ section is the one weak element of this otherwise very useful book.

DESIGN YOUR GARDEN will make an excellent addition to any designer’s library and I am sure will be especially useful for both those entering the profession and keen amateurs who wish to make the most of their plot.

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© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

DRIVEWAYS, PATHS AND PATIOS: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

Tony McCormack, The Crowood Press, ISBN 1-86126-778-9, Published 2006, RRP £16.99

Book Cover - Driveways, Paths and Patios Many designers new to the profession find the topic of construction quite daunting. It can seem unnatural providing construction specifications to contractors who have been doing the job perfectly well for many years. Therefore it is essential to understand as much about the subject as possible. This book may end up being a well-thumbed addition to the designer’s book shelf.

Tony McCormack spent over 20 years in the landscaping industry before suffering a serious accident that left him unable to work. It was then he decided to pass on his vast knowledge of all things paving to the general public and started the excellent source of ‘how to’ information; www.pavingexpert.com.

Anyone who has visited this site may think it’s not worth buying the book but they would be wrong. The whole process of building residential paving from the design process through to completion and remedial works is looked at in much more detail. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it’s written by a contractor. Most books that cover design or hard landscaping are written by designers, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but this one approaches the subject from the viewpoint of a contractor. Just as much emphasis is given to tools and drainage as how to design and this is unusual and refreshing.

It is essential designers provide accurate specifications for the purpose of obtaining quotes and ensuring quality of work and this book will provide an excellent reference point for anyone unsure of correct techniques.

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© Sharon Brown
Garden Designer and Editor of www.gardendesignunlimited.co.uk

Book Cover - Making The Modern Garden

Making the Modern Garden by Christopher Bradley-Hole

An opening chapter, The Poetry, explains how the modern garden has evolved. The book is then split into a series of thematic chapters. The Grammar looks at the basic structure of garden design from initial thoughts, inspiration from the landscape, understanding of proportion, and underlying influences such as art and architecture; The Narrative considers styles of different types of modernist gardens, including roof gardens, courtyard gardens, urban gardens, country gardens, and landscape gardens; this chapter then looks at creative ways of using an ever-changing palette of plants in the modernist garden.

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Book Cover - Exotic

Exotic Planting for Adventurous Gardeners by Christopher Lloyd

For everyone who loves reading Christopher Lloyd, "Exotic Planting for Adventurous Gardeners" is an unexpected bonus.His last and most adventurous Among them are the novelist Frank Ronan who has taken overall responsibility for completing the text, and Anna Pavord who contributes an opening chapter on exotic gardens in history. Illustrated with hundreds of photographs by Jonathan Buckley, "Exotic Planting for Adventurous Gardeners" both inspires and instructs. Few gardeners will be able to resist Lloyd's call to 'do something outlandish, to splash out, and be freer than ever'.

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Book Cover - Vertical Gardens

Vertical Gardens: Bringing the City to Life Anna Lambertini (Author), Maria Ciampi (Author), Jacques Leenhardt (Introduction)

Bringing nature into urban environments has always been a challenge for metropolitan areas. One of the most spectacular solutions to this problem is the vertical garden. These gardens are more than just an unusual decoration attached to a wall - they are a means of bringing life and greenery to a bleak courtyard, a grey city street, or a cold modern building. "Vertical Gardens" is the first publication to present a collection of the most important examples of this emerging trend.

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Book Cover - Exotic Plants

Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates

With their bold foliage, exuberant colors, and luscious scents, exotic plants ignite curiosity and thrill the senses. Fortunately for gardeners in the world's temperate regions, it's not necessary to live in the tropics to experience spiky agaves and brilliant cannas. With some 1500 species and cultivars described, the Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates covers many plant groups, including aroids, bananas, gingers, bromeliads, cacti, yuccas, ferns, and palms. Detailed cultivation advice enables gardeners of all levels to make informed choices from an expansive plant palette.

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Book Cover - Clematiss

Clematis for Small Spaces: 150 High-performance Plants for Patios, Decks, Balconies and Borders

Clematis have long enjoyed popularity in gardens large enough to accommodate them and now, with the arrival of a new generation of cultivars that excel in mixed borders, containers, and other small spaces, there is more reason than ever to grow them. As well as being modest in height, many of these new clematis are extremely floriferous and self-supporting, thus ensuring their value in a wide range of garden situations.

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Book Cover - MontyDon

Around The World In 80 Gardens

If I have learned only one thing from my travels around the world it is that no garden is an island. Context is everything.' Monty Don visits each continent in this landmark series on gardens of the world. We are introduced to the unique floating gardens of the Amazon and the colourful alpine flower meadows of Norway, modest domestic gardens in Havana and Bali, Monet's world-famous Giverny and the Dutch tour-de-force Het Loo, the formal magnificence of Renaissance Italian water gardens, the tropical planting traditions of Thailand, and the intriguing fusion of indigenous and colonial garden cultures in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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Book Cover - A Gardener's Life

A Gardener's Life

Lady Salisbury has been a gardener since, as a child in the 1930s, she cultivated tiny patches of her parents' gardens in Ireland and the West of England. Later, as chatelaine first of Cranborne Manor and then of Hatfield House, she revived two of the great historic gardens of England. And then there the gardens that, as a professional garden designer, she has created for others, notably for the Prince of Wales at Highgrove and for the Museum of Garden History and Cosby Hall in London.

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Book Cover - NGS

The Yellow Book: NGS Gardens Open for Charity (National Gardens Scheme)

The Yellow Book published every year by The National Gardens Scheme. A county by county guide to thousands of gardens in England & Wales, many not normally open to the public, plus up-to-date articles inside from celebrities and gardening experts. Brief garden descriptions, directions and opening times are included along with many colour pictures and information on over 150 gardens with accommodation.

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Book Cover - Dream Gardens

Dream Gardens: 100 Inspirational Gardens

"Dream Gardens" is a beautifully designed sourcebook of 100 modern and contemporary gardens of all styles in all parts of the world. It presents an exciting array of stunning locations and garden-design ideas, from small, sophisticated, minimalist city gardens to large, richly planted gardens in breathtaking rural locations. Each garden is beautifully photographed to show all its key features and essential details, while concise descriptions offer a rare insight into the aims and achievements of some of today's leading garden designers.

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Book Cover - Tropical Garden Design

Modern Tropical Garden Design

Made Wijaya, Asia's leading landscape designer, shows how the most exuberant tropical plants and design inspirations have a place even in modern gardens. To underline his point, he showcases the works of masters of modern design, from the Americas to Asia and Australia. He also offers concise guidance on practical matters such as water features, pavings, lighting, furniture and also artworks. The most important designers of the modern age are highlighted, from Roberto Burle Marx to Geoffrey Bawa and Raymond Jungles. Both informative and inspirational, the book is aimed at designers of gardens large and small.

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Book Cover - Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape: Sustainable Rainwater Management for the Garden and Designed Landscape

Rain gardens encompass all possible elements that can be used to capture, channel, divert and make the most of the rain and snow that fall on a property. Using the innovative and attractive approaches described here, it is possible to enhance outdoor spaces and minimize the damaging effects of drought, stormwater runoff, and other environmental challenges. Nigel Dunnett & Andy Clayden have created a comprehensive guide to water management techniques for the garden and built environment.

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