Library Journal

10/01/2017
Not strictly an encyclopedia in layout, this work is encyclopedic in content. Written primarily for the home gardener, it contains detailed instructions without being overwhelming. From the basics of landscape planning and site assessment to the photographic arrays of plants and landscaping materials, the premise is to be comprehensive while approachable. The step-by-step method is appropriate for gardeners tackling a renovation or creating an outdoor living space. The extensive pictorial analysis of existing gardens, plants, and accessories, such as lighting, paving, and fencing, are excellent idea generators for both new gardeners and experienced professionals. The book's editor in chief Young is associated with the Royal Horticultural Society. Additional contributors include trained landscaping and gardening experts. All are British, and virtually all of the gardens recommended to visit are either British or European. Garden styles—the placement of plants, landscape, and materials in relation to one another to produce a defined effect—are well illustrated and described. However, some may not translate as well to American climatic and geographic extremes. The xeriscapes needed in the Southwest are not found here, and the planning of a natural garden, as exemplified in the book, would more appropriately be "native" to many regions in our area. VERDICT A much-needed addition to both landscape design and gardening enthusiasts' collections.—Jeanette McVeigh, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia