4 comments about Planting Design: Gardens in Time and Space.

1. This book further elaborates and discusses the principles behind Piet Oudolf and Noel Kinsbury "New Wave" herbaceous perennial plantings. It is a general discussion for the serious gardner. Their intent is NOT to provide a step-by-step guide to designing, but suggest a "process" for key plant selection and combination. They are not located in North America, so you will find that some of their plant recommendations are difficult to find, or not specifically suited to your North America Plant Zone and no list can be casually taken from the book directly to your yard, but requires considerable effort on your part to identify those plants specific to your zone. For example, their list of 15 small trees to combine with perennials, only six might grow in my zone, I could not find 2 of those listed in my Sunset Western Garden Book, and 3 listed contradictory information to the Sunset Western Garden Book. So while their discussion of their "methods, discoveries and thoughts" are of interest, it will not easily transfer to a newly designed "new wave" perennial garden for the casual user.



2. I would describe myself as a fan of Oudolf - by adopting and adapting some of his raison-être our own garden has changed beyond recognition, with masses of seasonal interest throughout the year. Kingsbury ghosted Oudolf's original work, Designing with Plants with some aplomb, Henk Gerritsen's turn of phrase in Dream Plants and More Dream Plants was always light, witty and insightful and while Gardening with Grasses seemed to bow to certain conventionalities, for European readers, the book opened up new vistas of possibilities. But with this offering the writers have run out of steam, or rather Kingsbury has as Oudolf appears to have participated little in the book's creation. This time Kingsbury's style is leaden - is the book a re-working of his recent thesis? It stinks of academia. Timber Press has done an excellent job re the images on the hard and dust cover (and this time all the pages are in the right order and the captions are all in English - not the case with my copies of previous work attributed to Oudolf that they have published). But as publishers they mislead in their suggestion that in this book `home gardeners ... will find invaluable advice in this new approach'. First of all the approach is not new, secondly the style is so leaden most would start to doze while reading it and thirdly not all home gardeners have the opportunity for creating public amenities for their community. For professionals the book may be of use but, as another reviewer has suggested, the narrative raises more questions than it answers, and the lists are short and somewhat mean.
   Next time Oudolf's name appears on the cover of a new book I will wait until I get my hands on a copy so see what, if anything, is new and inspirational. In the meanwhile I will continue to use my dog-eared copies of previous work attributed to him which are well worth purchasing.



3. As an admirer of Noel Kingsbury's prolific work, I was initially put off by this book. In some passages, it reads like a manifesto on a new approach to gardening. On futher reading, however, I have found it stimulating, valuable, and full of hard-to-find information on cutting edge work in ornamental gardening, particularly in Europe. Its emphasis on design of plantings for reduced maintenance in parks and public areas is not at all off point for the home gardener - certainly for this home gardener. I am 61, have only weekends for gardening, weekends often interrupted by other of life's demands, I garden on a difficult site with heavy wet clay and lots of deer. So any gardening approach that holds out a way to have a beautiful, sustainable garden, using plants suited to existing conditions, that I can create and maintain with minimal effort and time is certainly of value. Moreover, Kingsbury introduces me to some exciting names in gardening and to exciting gardens I've not known of: the work of Cassian Schmidt at Hermanshoff in Germany is only one example. This book is a window into a world of planting design and gardening that most of us have no access to (much of the published literature is in German) and Kingsbury brings it to light. I heartily recommend this book. It is a serious book, and gives more and more on successive readings. If your time is limited, you can reread sections that interest you and find more of value each time. I'm not sure what part Piet Oudolf actually played in this book, but he's certainly the preeminent practitioner of this style, and his apparently loose association with Kingsbury should continue. They are doing exciting work, and this book puts their work into a larger context and gives it a theoretical framework.



4. There are three main factors to consider in Planting Design: aesthetics, horticulture, and symbolism of plants.
   
   "Gardeners and garden designers seek inspiration from a variety of sources. Among these, nature is perhaps a relative recent choice, a reflection of changing attitudes toward natural world..." Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury wrote. They continued to cover nature and gardens (use of plants with wild character, nature-inspired planting pattern, use of native species, avoiding formality, biodiversity, etc), ecology and habitat (ecological fit, visual ecology, etc), planting in space, plants on display, the mechanics of planting design, planting in time, and practicalities (soil preparation, plant selection, etc) and maintenance.
   
   Planting Design is the most important aspect of landscape education and practice. It is also a subject that is very difficult to teach or to learn. "Planting Design: Gardens in Time and Space" can alleviate this problem. We need people to do research on Planting Design from different angles. Piet Oudolf is an innovative designer, horticulturist and plantsman, and Noel Kingsbury is an advocate of naturalistic planting. "Planting Design: Gardens in Time and Space" is a result of their cooperation. It has 176 pages and many spectacular color interior photos. It is a great attempt with an emphasis on the horticultural aspect of Planting Design.

3 comments about Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota.

1. An excellent resource for those who are wanting to learn to plant part or a lot of their yards using native plants.
   The book covers many different types of sites, with pictures of some beautiful native gardens in MN. Good plant resource in back of book.



2. This is about the most user-friendly garden book I've ever owned. In the first third of the book Ms. Steiner teaches the how's and why's of native plants, and how to distinguish them from invasive, weedy introduced plants. She shows how to make your gardens wildlife-friendly, drought and disease resistant, and beautiful, describing planting strategies for all sorts of environments (sunny, dry, marshy, woodland, water gardens, etc.) She covers everything about plant cultivation--from weed control, pruning, staking, dividing plants, pests and much more. She also covers garden design, and the photographs of plant combinations are inspiring. One chapter, entitled "A Gallery of Gardens," has many examples of beautifully designed native plantings.
   
   The last two-thirds of the book is an encyclopedia of sorts, divided into Flowers and Groundcovers, Grasses and Sedges, Ferns, Deciduous Trees, Deciduous Shrubs and Small Trees, Conifers, and Vines. She describes in depth many different cultivars of each plant under these headings, how to care for it, what other plants to plant with it, and what its prime landscape use is. This portion of the book is invaluable for planning your gardens, and is great for bringing along on your trips to the nursery.
   
   This book is packed with so much information on both the science and the art of gardening with native plants. If you think that gardening with natives results in a dull, rather colorless garden, this book should change your mind and get you excited about working with the plants nature has so abundantly provided us with.



3. This is a great guide of Minnesota (and neighboring states) native plants. You will probably not like it if your idea of gardening is neat rows of flowers or even English gardens. I wasn't thrilled at first sight because it's not "pretty" but once I got into it I changed my mind because as it says it is landscaping with native and native plants don't sit neatly in a row. (By the way, it's more a guide than a landscape book.)

3 comments about Complete Trees, Shrubs & Hedges: Secrets for Selection and Care (Complete).

1. Jacqueline Heriteau tells how to choose woody plants. She also tells how to get COMPLETE TREES, SHRUBS & HEDGES off to a good start. Then she tells what'll be needed for a healthy, long life.
   
   The way to do that's by answering three questions. [1] Do I have the correct plant for what I have in mind? In other words, do I want a woody plant because of its ability to fence off spaces, such as acanthus and yew shrubs do so well? Or its bark such as eastern ninebark shrub, hickory, and Kentucky coffee? Or fall color such as American sweet gum, ash, birch, black gum, Franklin, hornbeam, shumard oak, smoke, and tulip? Or flowerings such as cinquefoil and summersweet shrubs, redbud, sourwood, swamp magnolia? Or fruits such as serviceberry shrub? Or leaves such as live oak Virginiana, and leucothoe and oak leaf hydrangea shrubs? Or winter interest such as incense cedar? [2] Do I have it in the correct soil, as part of the correct environment? Of course, a woody plant such as American yellowwood, like lavender, makes not-so-correct, poorer soils better. It`s friendly to nitrogen-fixing bacteria which naturally make soils fertile. [3] Will I give it the correct care?
   
   For in landscaping it's important to balance evergreen with deciduous plants, as well as present and future size with space. Then it just comes down to following a pruning schedule; meeting light and water needs; using compost and mulches; and watering. But there'll be constant worries over diseases and pests, of which the most challenging will undoubtedly be deer!
   
   The author offers readers a beautifully illustrated, organized and written book. She fills each page with clear, helpful information and interesting stories. She ends with a much-appreciated glossary and a fine index. What's not to like?



2. This book is a little distracting because it groups descriptions of trees by their scientific name, which sort of promises a thorough examination of each type of tree, but this book is not very comprehensive in its coverage of either the species it covers or the species readily available to the home gardener. This book has good information on garden design and sincerely beautiful photos. I am consistently happy with any gardening book from this publisher, and although this book provides little more than a cursory overview, it does contain helpful information and attractive illustrations.



3. Well, there's nothing "Complete" in this book. Yes, you will find a very good index of trees, shurbs & hedges. Yes, you will see nice pictures for everyone. And yes, you will get some details about each species. But that's about all you'll get. Each specie has 1-2 pages allocated to it. And that includes pictures. So you can imagine how much information there is. It's kinda like a bread book would say "in order to make bread mix flour and water and bake in the oven".
   
   Try the "Surpise me!" feature from the Amazon Online Reader to check different sections in the book.

No comments about Landscapes in History, 2nd Edition (One Volume).

3 comments about The Landscape Lighting Book.

1. Still the best book for the professional. Invaluable resource for architects, landscape architects and landscape lighting designers. Broad and deep with plenty of technical information. I purchased this book in 1992 and I bought it again today (an electrician friend "lost" my original copy). A second edition (if planned) should include better information about transformer regulation (the ability of a low voltage lighting transformer to maintain 12v under load) and voltage drop (the dreaded decrease in voltage through the main supply cable) which are presented as formulae rather than actual measurements. Great photographs mostly of large scale projects. This book should be in every outdoor lighting designer's library.
   
   There is a second edition (Wiley 2005) of the book revised and updated by the author to reflect changes and improvements in techniques and equipment. The second edition is easily recognized by the illustrated four color cover; the original had an illustrated dust cover (missing from the last run of the first edition) by the cover itself was plain black.
   
   I have both editions and consider them a bargain in terms of concentrated relevant information.



2. The second edition of Janet Lennox Moyer's THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK is an absolute necessity for everybody who works in landscape lighting or who is seriously interested in creating their own garden lighting. Ms Moyer has greatly revised and expanded the color plates and Chapter 4, "The Design Process - Documenting and Installing Landscape Lighting" as well as writing an entirely new Chapter 5 "Follow-up Work - Record Documents and Project Maintenance." These changes and additions and the many other updates make the new edition well worth the purchase price.
   
   First published in 1992, THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK has served as the single and indispensable reference for the landscape lighting industry. It has offered all new landscape lighting practitioners guidance and provided an emerging industry the foundation necessary on which to build solid practice. While there is a wealth of other books that offer how-to help and publish pretty pictures, none of them even attempt to define and explain professional practice for the landscape lighting industry with Ms Moyer's authority and confidence.
   
   THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK is not an easy book to read but it is well worth the effort. Once you understand the theory behind the short cuts and rules-of-thumb that other how to books offer, you are free to create your own. With the freedom you gain when you understand and can apply those fundamental principals and concepts to your landscape lighting, you become like the cook who ignores the printed recipe and creates a masterpiece of culinary art.



3. The Landscape Lighting book, by Janet Moyer, provides both an academic and practical level of landscaping lighting knowledge. Another good book, if you can find it, is the Ortho's book of How to Design and Install Outdoor Lighting.
   
   In comparison, the Ortho book has more colorful pictures and offers a very colorful education - I'd say, more or less at a good high school level. If you want more of college level introduction to landscape lighting - perhaps, to start a business or to broaden your knowledge, The Landscape Lighting book is the book for you.

2 comments about Isaak Levitan: Lyrical Landscape.

1. Superb book - as a guide and as a reference. Isaak Levitan was a real master of Silver Age of Russian painting - apart from excellent skills, he was able to capture the mood. Highly recommended



2. I am a painter and am always scouring book stores and sources for good books on other artists.I am also intersted in exploring artists from different countries. It is fasinating to discover their influences and their lives with their contemporaries. This man has the same sensitivity to the landscape as many of my favorite impressionist landscape painters. It is a lovely book and I will be looking for more about Levitan.

4 comments about The New American Swimming Pool: Innovations in Design and Construction: 40 Case Studies (New American).

1. Not just great photos and ideas. This book give details on all the pools, including geographical location, size, depth, color of plaster, type of coping and decking/terrace, etc. Although there are a lot of great books out with wonderful pictures, this one doesn't have all tropical pools, which is nice for those of us who don't have a jungle of palms! Very nice designs for those who live in temperate climates or with more traditional yards/homes. Best pool book yet.



2. ...there is absolutely nothing on construction. It's a coffee table book at best!



3. This is a great pool book if you're contemplating building a classy pool with beautiful landscaping.



4. I think the book's inside cover is close to correct...
   
   "Lavishly prodiced, The New American Swimming Pool is an invaluable and practical refernce book [Pool Owner - maybe not practical]. It is a fresh, important source of inspiration for architecture and landscape architecture enthusiasts, homeowners, architects, landscape architects, landscape designers, and pool contractors."
   
   [...]

1 comments about Vertical Gardens.

1. The cover is great. Other than that there is almost nothing worthwhile in this book. It does not help me to create vertical gardens, and even the photos are very uneven, and not always about vertical gardens (unless you consider planting twining plants on trellis to be a vertical garden)

2 comments about The Complete Guide to Water Gardens, Ponds & Fountains (Complete Guide).

1. The cover pulled me in. I was in the process of designing that very same 'round' pool, in a similar patio.
   But the interior of the book is what convinced me that the price was more than worth it.
   The photo images are crisp and beautiful, the text easy to understand and the entire book is a grand encouragement to creativity.
   This book is now one of the treasured volumes in my personl library.
   Anna Marie Fritz, author and artist (and water gardener).



2. A great reference for the home gardener. Very clear color pictures to
   spark ideas for your water feature.

No comments about Landscape Architecture: An Illustrated History in Timelines, Site Plans and Biography.