No comments about Cities for people: Practical measures for improving urban environments.

No comments about Art & the Garden: Travels in the Contemporary Mindscape (Art & Design Profile No 57).

2 comments about In A Canadian Garden.

1. There is a chinese proverb that roughly translates as follows: If you want to live happily for a week, find a new concubine; if you want to live happily for a month, hunt a pig; if you want to live happily for years, raise a garden. So you live in Canada and want to live happily for years. Is the natural environment conducive to raising and maintaining a garden? "In a Canadian Garden" dispels the myth that a canadian garden is an oxymoron by showcasing some of the finest gardens from around the country, tended by amateurs.
   
   The authors Nicole Eaton and Hillary Weston, amateur gardeners themseles, set out to find well designed amateur gardens across Canada. "In a Canadian Garden" contains a sampling of such gardens that were selected by the authors, based on factors such as aesthetically pleasing designs conceptualized by the respective gardeners, whose passionate visions are seen to fruition in these gardens. Another factor was regional representation and the use of local plant species. One doesn't have to be a gardener to appreciate these gardens, which range in size from ones spanning many acres to modest sized gardens situated in the heart of major cities. Each garden is featured with an essay from the respective gardener describing their visions and how they achieved it in their garden design. If, by chance, you are unable to visualize a garden based on the essay, Freeman Patterson's photographs of the salient features of each garden, would clarify beyond doubt. His images are very thoughtful and sensitive of the visions of each gardener that they complement the essays most effectively.
   
   So, is a Canadian garden really a contradiction in terms? The answer is very evident from this book. What is even more evident is that you too can create a beautiful garden right in your own backyard.



2. A pair of Canadian "socialites" (is there such a thing in Canada??) trot around their country, giving their thoughts on the gardens they see... Pretentious and quite uninspiring!

No comments about Landscaping & Garden Remodeling (A Sunset book).

No comments about Urban and Regional Planning.

No comments about Water Garden, the (All-colour Gardener's Guides).

No comments about Street graphics: a concept and a system,.

No comments about Water Gardens (For Your Garden).

No comments about How to build and use your own outdoor kitchen.

2 comments about The Gardens of Britain & Ireland.

1. I first viewed this book at my local library and after going over it, decided to purchase it for my own personal library. The book covers a wide expanse of gardens in Britain, Ireland and not mentioned in the title, Scotland. Book does not give in depth information about layouts of gardens and such, but does contain one or two pics of mentioned gardens and locations in write ups. The photographs are simply beautiful.
   The gardens in England are broken down into sectors, such as south-east England or North England for those who may be going to visit. Often, they contain pictures of the manor houses, cottages, castles or architectural elements in the gardens.The book also includes antedotal information about past occupants of houses, gardens or historical events surrounding the houses and gardens. For me, that added immensely to the overall enjoyment of the book. It's a winner.



2. This large and attractive book is a reference book on over 1,700 of the most beautiful gardens in the British Isles. The largest part of the book is the Guide, in which public-available gardens are discussed, complete with colorful pictures. Grouped by region, each of the gardens is given a quick introduction, a more in-depth description, and important information, including location, size and when open. After the Guide comes the Gazetteer, in which the author looks at many different gardens, including some still privately held and those belonging to cemeteries and hospitals.
   
   Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable book. I really liked reading the descriptions of the gardens, and the interesting historical notes. The one thing that would have made this book better would have been more pictures. But, it is already a pretty hefty book, and I do realize that adding more pictures would have made it huge.
   
   But, that said this is a very interesting book, especially for anyone who plans on being able to visit these wonderful gardens themselves.