Architectural Follies in America

More than mere curiosities, all of the architectural follies described in this illustrated guide are masterpieces in their own right. Each is the incarnation of its creator's singular passion, vanity, or idée fixe, from the home of the future to the storybook castle, the palace of love to the monument of spite, the house of devotion to the pleasure garden.

Architectural Follies in America offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to become acquainted with some of the most outstanding examples of this class of architectural marvel. With Gwyn Headley as our guide, we travel the length and breadth of the United States—from the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Niles, Illinois, to a house made of glass bottles in Death Valley; from the floating Taj Mahal in Sausalito, to the grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In a narrative rich with historical erudition, choice tidbits of gossip, and no small measure of sparkling wit, Headley describes more than 130 structures in loving detail. He tells the full story behind each folly, what is known about its creator, the circumstances surrounding its construction, and its prospects for the future.

"Follies stem from passion, obsession, and suspicion. They also come from happiness, grief, and confusion. They can take any form, any style. A folly is a state of mind, not an architectural style. Follies can even have a use or purpose, whether that was in the creator's mind or not." — Gwyn Headley

This groundbreaking guide presents a powerful alternative to traditional horticulture - designed plantings that function like naturally occurring plant communities. Thomas Rainer and Claudia West, two leading voices in ecological landscape design, reveal how plants fit together in nature and how to use this knowledge to create landscapes that are resilient, beautiful, and diverse. As practical as it is inspiring, Planting in a Post-Wild World is an optimistic manifesto pointing the way to the future of planting design.

Urban forestry includes not only the city -street, it includes city parks and recreation areas as well as suburban areas. It involves city planning, forestry for development, construction of an infrastructure to care and nurture trees, funding, and community action. This title deals with the aspects of managing all facets of these areas.

In twenty essays, this book covers aspects of planning, architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, park and garden design. Their approach, described as post-postmodern, is a challenge to the 'anything goes' eclecticism of the merely postmodern.

A step-by-step guide that gives any gardener all the information needed to make garden furnishings that are both simple and beautiful. This book includes 50 complete plans for trellises, raised beds, planters, window boxes, and just about any imaginable project you can make to train and display plants in your garden and around your home. Featured projects are created using a host of easily found materials, including wood, metal, hypertufa, upcycled barrels, clay pots, sticks, latticework, copper tubing, re-rod, wire, landscape timbers, retaining wall block, and natural stone. Each plan includes photographs, a scaled plan drawing, cutting and shopping lists, and thorough step-by-step instructions.

As a ready reference for landscape designers and as an indispensable time-saving tool, Landscape Detailing is an essential for the design office.Each section begins with technical guidance notes on design and construction and then provides a list of points against which specifications can be checked. This is followed by a set of drawn-to-scale details sheets. These details can be traced for direct incorporation into the set of contract drawings. A list of relevant British Standards, references, bibliography and a list of associations and institutions indicate where further guidance can be obtained.

If you're looking for the right plant for a particular place or purpose, Plant Solutions is an invaluable resource. Whether you have a shady spot, alkaline soil, or a boggy area; you're looking for fall color, cut flowers, or ground cover; or need to consider pollution tolerance or allergies, the extensive plant suggestions in this thorough directory will help you make the right choices. Each entry has a photograph, a clear description including desirable varieties, a summary of cultivation requirements, planting ideas, and suggestions for companion plants. Cross references to other plants in the book enable gardeners to build up a palette of plants to suit their needs. Fully annotated illustrations of planting schemes and color-coded tabs for quick reference make for an inspirational and practical companion for gardeners and designers.

Designs for gardens and landscapes need to contain accurate information to ensure that both the designer's intent is clear and to enable the highest quality constructions. This book contains the elements most often used when detailing surfaces, with key information on standards, guidance and construction that the practitioner must be aware of. Alongside the text are 2D and 3D images with suggestions of measurements, design considerations and materials. Key topics covered in this book are: Vehicular paving Pedestrian paving and patios Steps and ramps Margins, edges and kerbs Drainage channels To be used in conjunction with the book is an innovative online library of freely downloadable CAD (SketchUp format) details which link directly to those in the book. These details are available for the reader to edit, adapt and use in their own designs - and make the task of detailing for projects that little bit easier.

Plants are a major part of most gardens and fulfil many roles within them, providing colour, shade, scent, form, texture and much more. Choosing the right plants can be a challenge but this book provides a step-by-step guide for successful long-term planting, using design techniques and good horticultural practice.

Born in Florence in 1910, Pietro Porcinai grew up on the classic grounds of the Villa Gamberaia in Settignano where his father served as head gardener. Although he studied agriculture in college, Porcinai's true interest lay in the landscape architecture practice he founded in 1938. Early projects centered in the area of Arezzo, whose style reflected modernA ized traditional models. In the postwar era the office flourished, producing modern gardens of remarkable design and use of plants. In these works, Porcinai convincingly demonstrated the affinity between historical architecture and landscapes unA compromisingly modern. During his long and productive career he also consulted on autostrada planning, and designed public parks, memorials, and even a Pinocchio theme park-at times collaborating with noted architects such as Renzo Piano, Carlo Scarpa and Oscar Niemeyer. This book, the first English-language study on Pietro Porcinai provides a comprehensive and richly illustrated overview of his life and remarkable achievements.

Michael Littlewood's Landscape Detailing is now well established as a valuable source of reference for architects, landscape architects, other professionals and students designing external works. For this third edition it has been split into three volumes to give a greater depth of coverage than ever before. Volume 3 covers pergolas, arbours, arches, gazebos, summer houses, sheds, shelters, decks, footbridges, furniture and roofs. Each section begins with technical guidance notes on design and construction. This is followed by a set of drawn-to-scale detail sheets. These details can be traced for direct incorporation into the set of contract drawings. A list of relevant references, bibliography and a list of association and institutions indicate where further guidance can be obtained. A ready reference for landscape designers and an indispensable time-saving tool, Landscape Detailing is an essential for the design office.

From Rosalind Creasy--a name synonymous with California's garden-to-table movement--comes an accessible guide to cultivating and preparing herbs. If you buy only one herb gardening book, this should be it. Creasy takes you from seeds to stove top, from preparing the soil to elegant dining suggestions, with easy-to-follow instructions and inspirational ideas every step of the way. Each section of this book presents vivid photos and practical information, including: How to design and grow an herb garden in just about any space--from a spacious plot to a tiny balcony--and in just about any climate A tour through many beautiful private herb gardens, including some of Creasy's own, as well as the garden of herb luminary Carole Saville and others A fully illustrated encyclopedia of edible herbs--from old favorites like basil, rosemary and sage to more exotic herbs such as lemon verbena and Mexican tarragon A savory selection of healthy herb recipes for side dishes, such as blends, butters and vinegars, main dishes from around the world and even cocktails and desserts Maintenance and organic pest control methods A list of resources for seeds and supplies A guide to growing, cultivating and preparing hops This herb guide is full of practical tips and tricks presented in a beautiful format--perfect for the gardener, aspiring gardener or home chef.

In the new edition of the bestselling indoor styling book Green, Jason Chongue explains and simplifies how to curate and look after plants in small urban spaces.

In this practical and personal guide, Chongue shows us how to create urban gardens and how to style with plants, inside or out. From balconies, porches, courtyards and small backyards to entryways, offices and living spaces, this ‘how to’ guide is an approachable resource for gardeners of all types. Now in hardback with a fresh new look.

Chapters are filled with quick tips for styling and plant care and cover everything from understanding your climate, to creating a plant maintenance calendar, to curating a range of spaces and appreciating plants in public spaces. Jason also invites ‘Plant People’ across the globe to share how they are inspired by nature.

Green is the perfect guide to small-space gardening, beautifully photographed and illustrated, and will help you transform your indoor and outdoor spaces into a lush, healthy oasis in no time.

Straw bale gardening is an inexpensive, low-maintenance way to grow a bounty of food in a small space. All you need is a bale of straw, some fertilizer, and your favorite vegetable seeds! Craig LeHoullier's step-by-step instructions show you how to do everything from sourcing the straw and setting up your bale to planting, dealing with weeds and pests, and harvesting.

Essays and stories to inspire us to nurture diverse, meaningful relationships with gardens and landscapes. The garden is a powerful, generous way of looking at the world. As beautiful spaces, gardens fill us with hope and wonder. As gathering places, they nurture friendships and communities. Thoughtfully crafted, they make us pause and appreciate our surroundings. Full of edible plants, they nourish us. Full of diversity - human and non-human - they connect us with the polychromatic world in which we live. They make us feel at home in our own bodies, in our cities, and on our planet. Through stories and essays, The Calming Garden invites readers on a journey to understand gardens as places where we build mutually beneficial relationships with the living world around us. Each chapter in the book is dedicated to a specific idea or element of the garden, from places where gardens grow (i.e. a driveway in San Francisco, a bathtub as a planter, etc.) to garden management (why some lawns need watering every few days, and some gardens can go almost a full year without irrigation), to color and texture (i.e. how fine-textured plants like grasses can be used to unify a space), and everything in between. Perfect for home gardeners, landscape designers, or as a gift for the gardener in your life, The Calming Garden is an ode to the wonders, designs, and habitats that live within a garden, and an inspiration to nurture diverse, meaningful relationships with the gardens and landscapes around us.

Beginning in the 1960s, John Brookes MBE (1933-2018) revolutionized garden design, with a new design philosophy and methodology that was rooted in the notion that gardens are about the people who live in them. Recognizing the demands of the contemporary lifestyle, he broke with previous labour-intensive garden design traditions and the emphasis on showcasing plants. Instead he promoted using gardens as extensions of the home. He introduced this notion in his 1969 book, A Room Outside, which also contained practical advice on materials, methodology, and planting. His approach was unprecedented and included the then-novel idea that people of all income levels could have designed, fashionable gardens tailored to their needs, low-maintenance, and beautiful. John taught and lectured around the world and, thanks to his energetic writing, teaching and media appearances, he became regarded as the 'king' and 'godfather' of garden and landscape design. How to Design a Garden is an informative and ultimately practical collection of his thoughts and advice selected from countless writings and lectures given to students, professionals and the public around the world. In addition to his teaching on how to design a garden, the book has two key themes - environmental sustainability and a focus on the local vernacular. They show how far ahead he was of his time and to what a great extent his teaching remains relevant to garden-makers today.

Celebrated landscape designer Terry Wallace guides you in the creation of the landscape of your dreams in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Discover the joy and satisfaction to be found in creating a garden that complements and enhances your lifestyle. Wallace takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a beautiful and sustainable garden. She offers a host of practical tips about basic design, planning, and maintenance specific to this climate. Most importantly, the beautiful images will inspire you to transform your garden home into an amazing botanical retreat.

Following the popular BBC series, this book is the comprehensive guide to one of Europe's largest and most ambitious gardening projects, the magnificent RHS Bridgewater. RHS Garden Bridgewater has a rich history, deeply entrenched personal connections with the local community and now a dazzling and exciting future, all of which is brought to life in this sumptuous book. Set on the site of the former Worsley New Hall stately home in Manchester, bordering the Bridgewater canal, the Bridgewater garden is one of the most exciting public garden projects undertaken anywhere in the world in recent years. Guided by a masterplan from the renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, it is a showpiece of horticultural excellence with a rich array of attractions, from walled gardens and Chinese streamside features to aromatic kitchen gardens and verdant wooded areas, all placed at the heart of the community. RHS Garden Bridgewater charts the glory years of royal visits to the site, the decline and fall into disrepair and the subsequent restoration and development of the gardens into what they are today. Chronicling personal memories from the people who shaped the gardens, the book is beautifully illustrated and provides a complete insight into how a garden was and will once again become an integral and inspirational part of the community.

Plant, soil, moss, twine--that's all you need to create the exciting form of bonsai known as koke (moss) dama (ball). Moss Ball Bonsai provides all the information you need to make these self-contained gardens, using different types of plants--from flowering trees and ferns to grasses and cacti. A sampling of 100 different kokedama shows how even the most common of house plants can shine in this appealing no-pot environment, while a section on mosses acquaints you with the many tones and textures of this versatile plant family. With this bonsai guide, you will learn how to: Create and maintain a healthy home for your miniature garden's root system Use inexpensive house plants and cuttings as the basis of your kokedama Make beautiful (and quirky) group plantings within a single project Find, collect and propagate moss And more! Whether resting on a pottery dish or suspended in the air, these little indoor gardens are a wonderful way to add a touch of artistry and greenery to your home or work space.

Go beneath the soil with this hand-drawn guide! This book is sure to become your go-to reference for all things bonsai. Beautifully illustrated with details and views a camera simply can't show, Introduction to Bonsai offers a unique and insightful look at these mini ecosystems. This complete guide contains all the information you need to create and maintain your own bonsai: Handy monthly bonsai maintenance schedules detail proper watering, pruning, wiring, transplanting and other upkeep activities throughout the year Leaves, fruits, flowers, and processes are presented up-close to help make growing and upkeep as successful and simple as possible Diagrams show where, how much, and in what direction pruning, wiring, watering and other maintenance should be performed Clear, detailed illustrations of every part of the bonsai ensure that you'll see everything you need to see, exactly as you need to see it--making this a great resource for collectors and enthusiasts at all levels Learn the specific ways to care for more than 40 types of popular bonsai trees, including: Flowering Bonsai--cherry blossom, dogwood, azalea and lilac Fruiting Bonsai--crab apple, persimmon, Chinese quince and burning bush Coniferous and Deciduous Bonsai--maple, Japanese beech, black pine and salt cedar Prepared by the editors of Japan's popular Bonsai Sekai (Bonsai World) magazine,this handbook is designed to make care and maintenance easy for bonsai beginners--from seeds to root systems and from basic watering to your first transplant.

The perfect companion to Merrell's bestselling Dream Homes and More Dream Homes, Dream Gardens is a stylish sourcebook of 100 modern and contemporary gardens from around the world. Now available in paperback for the first time, this critically acclaimed volume presents an array of wonderful 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 explore the aims and achievements of some of today's most influential garden designers. With full captions identifying the plants depicted, Dream Gardens is a valuable source of information and inspiration.

After publishing Scent Magic, an acclaimed memoir of plants, gardens and scent, Isabel Bannerman couldn't leave the subject alone. 'I came across the star-nosed mole, an adorable and preposterous creature with a highly specialized sensory-motor organ, while writing about the riches of the soil kingdom ... and, somewhat mole-like ... as I was trying to write about the impossibility of writing effectively about smell, I began to nose around for great writers' solutions to this problem. How and how much have writers considered the lilies of the field and how they smell. I began grazing on literature and gathering in my stores of quotes.' In reviews of Scent Magic, Isabel was lauded for 'putting into words what so much escapes language. With a wonderful range of reference and allusion, it's nothing less than poetry... (Evening Standard)'. And in this anthology, with her beautifully written linking passages bringing carefully chosen quotations together with her dramatic, powerful and mysterious plant images, she evokes the scented garden through poetry and prose spanning millennia, from Ovid to Proust, Milton to George Eliot, and Emily Dickinson to Alice Oswald.