Answers questions both mundane and bizarre, solving the most preplexing gardening dilemmas and describing today's best plant varities

Discovering, creating, and enhancing the multiple attractions and beauty of gardens and natural grounds.

In today's ever increasingly compact living spaces many of us have to make the best of very small outdoor spaces from patios and courtyards to roof gardens and balconies. 101 Ideas Gardens is a unique and dynamic new title that delivers over 100 captivating and exciting ideas to make the most of a very small garden space. This clever little book gets straight to the heart of all the necessary practicalities and possibilities in an engaging and original way to instantly involve and inspire the reader, with features on the 10 key points to assess your garden's assets, 10 designer tips to make your garden look bigger and 10 plants to thrive in the shade. The book begins with The Big Picture which looks at the space you have and helps you work out what you want to do with it. This chapter also explains the practicalities of budgeting and drawing up an action plan and ends with a look at a wide range of inspiring garden styles from Zen gardens to formal topiary. Getting Down to Detail focuses on the individual elements of the garden including boundary walls, underfoot surfaces, lighting, outdoor heaters, water features, garden furniture and the best plants for small spaces.;Finally, Keeping It Fresh tells you how to maintain the perfect space you've created with tips on watering, pruning and other seasonal tasks, and some quick fixes for stylish garden entertaining!

"Elements of Garden Design" does what few gardening books do--it addresses the process of conceiving a whole garden, as opposed to a single element like color or a particular class of plant. Joe Eck explores the idea of a garden, and offers a practical approach to translating concepts such as "intention" and "harmony" into the solid forms of hedges and terraces, paths and rooms. Novice and experienced professional alike will find both food for thought and down-on-the-ground advice on such matters as creating child- and pet-friendly designs.

Gardening is often a labor of love...but you'll love it even more with less labor! With a few fast and easy techniques, existing gardens can flourish beyond recognition. Just follow these tips on what to keep and what to scrap, shortcuts to solving common problems, and innovative planting schemes that work just about anywhere. Transform a garden's entire structure with readily built features, mechanize tasks, and introduce garden-friendly plants that suppress weeds. Quickfix "garden therapy" focuses on renewing every important element: add year-round color rapidly, personalize the space with distinctive ornaments, find the potential in what's already there, and even tidy up unkempt lawns and other signs of neglect. You'll spend fewer hours working, but every one will really count!

A thorough and wide-ranging guide to the vast array of public gardens, arboretums, woods, and parks in the Garden State. In this practical, informative, illustrated guide, Arline Zatz describes dozens of inviting places to spend an hour, an afternoon, or an entire day. Each garden has been chosen for its uniqueness and beauty, such as Warinanco Park Gardens, with its dazzling show of tulips in spring, and Marquand Park, an arboretum with two hundred different species of trees. There are butterfly gardens, colonial herb gardens at historic sites, memorial gardens, pocket-sized romantic gardens, and gardens for meditation--plus places to picnic, listen to the birds, and awaken the senses. Here you'll find information on the history and plantings of each garden listed, as well as details on how to get there, when to visit for peak bloom and seasonal events, and much more. This guide will be welcomed by garden enthusiasts as well as by anyone seeking excursions in the Garden State. Contains descriptions of over 80 public gardens in the Garden State. A gardener's appendix at the back of the book lists nurseries and garden suppliers throughout the state.

From the sacred groves of Ancient Greece, to the secluded outside rooms of Sissinghurst, this work is a history of secret gardens. A wide variety of secret gardens is explored, from intimate retreats to treehouses, caves and grottoes. Five case studies demonstrate how design principles can be turned into reality. Practical advice, from planting to the skilful use of water and ornaments, aim to help the reader realize the potential of their own garden. A comprehensive plant directory is included.

" From the busy streets of Tokyo to the secluded shores of Kyushu, from the volcanoes of Hokkaido to the temples of Kyoto, the treasured landscapes of Japan are brought to life in this concise visual guide. Drawing upon years of observation, Cotton Mather, P.P. Karan, and Shigeru Iijima explore the complex interaction of culture, time, and space in the evolution of landscapes in Japan. The authors begin with a discussion of the landscape's general characteristics, including paucity of idle land, scarcity of level land, and its meticulous organization and immaculate nature. They then apply those characteristics to such favorite subjects as home gardens, sculpted plants, and flower arrangements, but also to more mundane matters such as roadside shoulders, utility lines, and walled urban areas. This unique blending of physical and social sciences with humanities perspectives offers a unified analysis of the Japanese landscape.

This readable and substantial volume is comprised of two parts; detailed chapters covering the history, context and interpretation of the landscape park, and a gazetteer of all the parks examined. Each entry gives the name, refernce and principal soil types for the sites, with a summary of the history of their development. Includes many useful plans and illustrations.

A study of aspects of urban and rural Roman horticulture. Limited by the available evidence, most of the discussion relates to decorative gardens, making use of literary sources and depicions on wall paintings. It is a particularly refreshing subject as gardens are frequently overshadowed by archaeological emphasis on recovering architectural structures. Farrar looks at common types of plants, ornamentation, layout and the evolution of design.

"Show me any civilization that believes that reality exists only because man can perceive it, that the cosmos was erected to support man on its pinnacle, that man is exclusively divine, and then I will predict the nature of his cities and its landscapes, the hot dog stands, the neon shill, the ticky-tacky houses, the sterile core, the mined and ravaged countryside. This is the image of anthropocentric man. He seeks not unity with nature but conquest, yet unity he finds, when his arrogance and ignorance are stilled and he lies dead under the greensward." Ian L. McHarg Multiply and Subdue the Earth, 1969

"No living American has done more to usher the gentle science of ecology out of oblivion and into mainstream thought than Ian McHarg—a teacher, philosopher, designer, and activist who changed the way we view and shape our environment." From the foreword by Stewart L. Udall

Published in cooperation with the Center for American Places, Harrisonburg, Virginia

A Quest for Life is the autobiography of a man who stands alongside Rachel Carson, Lewis Mumford, and Aldo Leopold as one of the giants of the environmental movement. In a robust and singular voice, Ian McHarg recounts the story of a life that has foreshadowed and eventually shaped environmental consciousness in the twentieth century. Along the way we meet prominent figures in the environmental movement, the design fields, and the government, from Walter Gropius to Lady Bird Johnson, all presented in rich and telling anecdotes.

Early in A Quest for Life McHarg presents us with an arresting image. Describing the view from his boyhood home on the outskirts of Glasgow, he tells us that in one direction he could see the industrial miasma of smokestacks, tenements, and treeless streets, and, in another, the glories of the Scottish countryside. "I was born and bred," he writes, "on a fulcrum with two poles, city and countryside." Confronted with such a stark contrast, the man who was to become "the founder of ecological planning" began at an early age to turn literally from inhumane urban development and toward the beauty and power of Nature.

Each chapter of this book illuminates key stages in McHarg's life and in the evolution of his environmental awareness. We see him as a youth standing on a hillside beside the impressive Donald Wintersgill who, with the wave of his cane, lays out an entire village complete with lakes and forests, and thus introduces the astonished McHarg to the profession of landscape architecture.

In some of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War he witnesses the magnitude of human destructive capability. Later, when he faces a crisis of conscience over his religious training and its exhortation to gain dominion over life and subdue the earth, he begins to develop a deep spiritual appreciation for the sanctity of Nature itself. His training as a designer and planner in the Modernist Bauhaus tradition, with its neglect of the environment; his bouts with tuberculosis that showed him the link between public health and city planning; his famous "Man—The Planetary Disease" speech before powerful industrialists—all stand as emblematic of battles that are still being fought today.

A Quest for Life also chronicles the many triumphs in McHarg's career. It offers fresh insight into the revolutionary design method behind his groundbreaking book, Design with Nature, and explores the development of geographical information systems. We learn firsthand about his work on the celebrated regional plans for Denver and the Twin Cities, as well as the Woodlands new town project. His most enduring contribution, however, may prove to be his four decades of teaching at the University of Pennsylvania. Through the generations of landscape architects, designers, and planners he taught there, his influence has spread around the world and into the future.

As the compelling, first-person story of a remarkable individual who not only manned the barricades against environmental destruction, but helped lay the foundation for the barricades themselves, A Quest for Life is must reading for landscape architects, designers, conservationists, planners, and others concerned with the preservation of our communities and the natural environment.

Alternating discursive accounts with fictional vignettes that recreate time and place, this book skillfully integrates the history of French gardens with the modern history of ideas.Denise Le Dantec is a poet and Professor of Philosophy at the Centre National d'Enseignement a "istance, Paris. Jean-Pierre Le Dantec is a Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Paris La-Villette."

A plant a day brings beauty your way. So why not make the most of your garden with 365 of the very best plant varieties - one for every day of the year! From spring blooms to winter interest and everything in between, each plant has been personally selected by expert horticulturist Phil Clayton, who draws on his nearly 20 years of RHS experience, along with his own garden favourites, to showcase a vast array of planting choices. With a range of plants as broad as Phil's knowledge is vast, A Plant for Every Day of the Year is like taking a walk with an accomplished gardener as they show you their favourite plants. Each profile comes complete with stunning photography and an at-a-glance guide to height, spread, hardiness, and other must-know information, so you too can make the most of every season in your own garden. Turn the pages of this plant book to discover: - Unique structure gives the reader a whole year of plants, day by day. - Phil Clayton's unrivalled knowledge and personal approach are apparent throughout, allowing the reader to absorb his experience and expertise. - Easy-to-follow text and clear photography present the plants in an accessible and enjoyable format. A must-have volume for existing gardeners and plant lovers who want to enjoy Phil's personal and insightful commentary on a wide range of plants, alongside individuals who don't know what plants to grow and want to seek advice from a reputable gardener such as Phil. Doubling up as the perfect gardening book for budding botanists, who are looking to achieve their garden or indoor space's fullest potential all year round, A Plant For Every Day of the Year is sure to delight.

Learn to Live Holistically, Sustainably, and Intentionally"For those interested in living off their land and starting a homesteading lifestyle, this book does a great job providing practical tips, recipes, and inspiration to get started on a sustainable path." -Loni Wetherell, Library Journal #1 Best Seller in Greenhouses, Sewing, Energy, House Plans, and Container Gardening Make healthier life choices to heal yourself and the environment through self-sufficiency. Holistic Homesteading by Roxanne Ahern provides the tools for living slowly, intentionally, and better through permaculture, edible gardening, and organic farming. Live the Homestead Life. Ahern's book guides new and seasoned homesteaders in improving personal and environmental health. Holistic Homesteading is geared toward people who are interested in pursuing intentional lifestyles and organic farming methods. It is both for those who have access to land and those who are interested in retrofitting urban and suburban lifestyles and landscapes to shift towards sustainability. Utilize Sustainable Organic Farming Techniques. Learn about permaculture design, holistic nutrition, and sustainable farming in rural and urban settings. Holistic Homesteading covers how to use organic soil and zero chemicals to grow the best vegetables and fruits, responsible and humane animal husbandry that improves the ground and carbon sequestration, as well as the best canning and preserving techniques. Ahern also provides tips on safely foraging for flowers and mushrooms. Read Holistic Homesteading and learn: Permaculture practices that can be used in rural and urban spaces How to get the most out of your food through holistic nutrition The best techniques for canning and preserving your fruits and vegetables If you enjoyed books such as The Modern Homestead Garden, The Encyclopedia of Country Living, and Beginner's Guide to Preserving, your next read should be Holistic Homesteading.

Leberecht Migge (1881-1935) was one of the most innovative landscape architects of the early 20th century. With work ranging from large urban parks to housing settlements with allotment gardens, he sought to create functional green spaces that would not only meet the environmental challenges of the industrial metropolis but also improve the social conditions of modern life. The nationalistic rhetoric of 'Garden Culture of the Twentieth Century' marks it as a political tract of the late Kaiserreich, and its deep influence within the Siedlung communities of the Weimar era attests to its lasting cultural impact.

Bulbs can provide fantastic color in your garden from early spring through fall. Here, the gardening expert provides comprehensive coverage on growing bulbs. There are 22 main entries with general growing information on all major varieties as well as 50 secondary entries "for the more adventurous." The book focuses on bulbs suitable for growing in North America but includes most major bulbs worldwide.

Over nearly six decades of practice, Robert Royston (1918-2008) shaped the postwar Bay Area landscape with visionary designs for public spaces. Early in his career, Royston conceived of the "landscape matrix," a system of interconnected parks, plazas, and parkways that he hoped could bring order and amenity to rapidly developing suburbs. The idea would inform his work on more than two thousand projects as diverse as school grounds, new towns, transit corridors, and housing tracts. As an apprentice of Thomas Church, Royston gained experience with residential gardens that influenced his early designs for public parks. At a time when neighborhood parks were typically limited to playing fields and stock playground equipment, Royston created imaginative facilities for the American family, offering activities for people of all ages. Royston, Hanamoto & Mayes, founded in 1958, grew to become one of the nation's most influential corporate firms. With his collaborative approach, Royston designed landscapes that set a high standard of inclusivity and environmental awareness. In addition to the many beloved places he created, his perceptive humanism, which passed down to his students, is Royston's enduring legacy.

Step outdoors and let your space nourish all of your senses and settle a busy mind. Discover how to garden to enliven all five senses - touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste - to build a connection with the world around you and bring joy and wonder into the everyday. Find out how simply being outside can help to ground and calm you, and learn what plants to grow to nourish both your mental and physical wellbeing. Ideas on planting and maintaining your garden, which you can put into practice quickly and easily, show how you can improve the sensory enjoyment of your outside space - no matter where you live and no matter what size your plot. Whether you want to fill a space with an uplifting fragrance, create a calming colour scheme, grow richly aromatic herbs, or select trees and shrubs for their soothing sounds, you can turn your plot into a sensory delight as a way to connect to the natural world around you.

Your garden could be even better for you. Discover... How certain plants can form a barrier against air and noise pollution Which birdsong alleviates anxiety How plants can help to save energy Why green is so good for us Learn how connecting with nature can reduce stress and improve wellbeing. You don't even need a garden - even a balcony or houseplants can help to boost your mood. Every recommendation is backed by scientific research, drawn together by the team of RHS scientists and experts. Favourite garden designer at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Matt Keightley then suggests how to translate the science into ideas for your green space. With this groundbreaking book, find out how, in sometimes very simple ways, you can create an outdoor space that nourishes your mind and body, and is good for our planet too.

Garden fashions continually evolve but an understanding of fundamental principles underlies all thoughtful design. So all novice garden designers and landscape contractors must make themselves familiar with the elements that constitute garden space. This book is packed with line drawings, informal sketches and sections of actual garden plans that have evolved from the Authors' wide experience. Colour photographs - many of which are linked to plans within the text - all help to enhance the principles, problems and solutions that designers will have to face. With such information in front of them, student readers will be encouraged to look, think and analyse before taking up pencil, computer mouse or spade. Already on college reading lists, this book is a must for all beginners starting out on careers as garden designers and builders.

Inspirational, practical, and easy to use, this book was created with the aim of conveying the awesome diversity and beauty of California's native plants and demonstrating how they can be brought into ecologically sound, attractive, workable, and artful gardens. Structured around major California plant communities - bluffs, redwoods, the Channel Islands, coastal scrub, grasslands, deserts, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen woodlands, riparian, chaparral, mountain meadows, and wetlands - the book's twelve chapters each include sample plans for a native garden design accompanied by original drawings, color photographs, a plant list, tips on successful gardening with individual species, and more. Both residential and professional gardeners will learn the benefits of going native with gardens that require less water and fewer fertilizers, attract wildlife, engage the senses, create a sense of place, and, at the same time, preserve our rich natural heritage. "Designing Native California Gardens" includes: more than 600 selected native species recommended for the garden; more than 300 photographs of native plants, natural plant communities, and residential native gardens; and, recommended places to visit for viewing each plant community.

Whether looking to landscape a new property or revive and polish a tired one, Create an Impression, is the first book in an innovative new landscapig series. The focus is on the front yard and features 23 professionally designed, easy-to-create landscape plans using commonly available plants.

Veteran garden writer and turf expert Williamson has written a timely new book that provides comprehensive knowledge and information on how to grow and maintin a chemical-free lawn. Filled with photos and illustrations.