A Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis [Hardcover]

George Little (Author), David Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2005

Celebrated internationally as artists and gardeners, Little and Lewis open the gates to their renowned Puget Sound garden and share their personal wisdom for what informs and inspires their wild fantasia of plants, hardscape, and art. Water features, oversized and broadleaved plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery — all combine to create a magical space. The authors describe how you too can achieve this kind of retreat for reflection in your own backyard. From practical advice on how to make a slow-drip natural fountain, to building an inexpensive Tuscan-style wall, you will be encouraged to use your imagination and take risks. Stunning photographs will inspire you.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the space of a small yet breathtakingly verdant city lot on Washington's Bainbridge Island, artists George Little and David Lewis tend a brilliant garden where theatricality guides the design plan. In their first book, these multitalented collaborators open the gate to their studio and garden to set forth a refreshing approach to designing a lush retreat. Having helped put the "tropical" style of gardening on the horticultural map, Little and Lewis freely exchange savvy tips on garden construction, plant cultivation, water gardening, and the use of color. Creators of inventive water features and fantastical concrete sculptures--ancient-looking columns, enormous leaves in entrancing hues--Little and Lewis describe how they bring together sculptural elements and dramatic plant combinations. The fabulous photography captures tableaux at every juncture in the artists' outdoor sanctuary and in other exceptional garden realms. An inspiration to budding and accomplished gardeners alike, the Little and Lewis philosophy is suffused with a generosity of spirit that seems to characterize today's great garden makers. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"This book reveals the secrets Little and Lewis skillfully use to pull their visitors into a labyrinth of color and design, often of Mediterranean inspiration."—Jessica Rozmus, American Gardener, September/October 2005 (Jessica Rozmus American Gardener )

"Will provide us all with plenty of ideas for creating our own artful gardens."—Pacific Horticulture, Spring 2005 (Pacific Horticulture )

"The book, like their outdoor gallery on an island in Washington's pristine Puget Sound, illustrates their ideas and inspires gardeners from around the world."—Metropolitan Home, April 2005 (Metropolitan Home )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (January 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881926728
• ISBN-13: 978-0881926729
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book is as Good as the Cover, January 26, 2005

By 

Diane Laird "Diane Kirkland" (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis (Hardcover)

First, you hope the photos in the book are as good as the one on the cover; they are. Then, after flipping through the pages to see everything as fast as possible, settle in and read.

David and George started out to write in one voice. As David tells it, "We realized we were in trouble right after the word "The" and decided to write in two voices." The two voices make the book unique in the contrast of their personalities, each of which exhibits a delightful sense of humor while incorporating solid information about the plants and hardscape of this incredible garden. David is practical, George is spiritual; David nails down, George tosses; David keeps the check register, George fills it.

Kudos to Barbara Denk for her years of beautiful photographs; and don't miss the delightful forward by NPR's Doyenne of Dirt, Ketzel Levine.

This is one of the best books I've ever read about building and editing a beautiful garden.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding in All Respects, March 21, 2005

By 

Lynn Conner (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis (Hardcover)

I am a gardening nut and read garden books regularly. I've never read a book that describes the feeling of creating a garden space more eloquently and beautifully. I came away with dozens of ideas for my own small garden and realized why so many areas in my garden just don't "feel" right to me. I've never been so emotionally caught up in a gardening book before. This book is wonderfully written and the photographs are spectacular. It leaves you wanting more.... I'll be visiting Seattle this summer to tour the gardens! Thanks to David and George for sharing your special place with me!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The artists and their garden, March 15, 2005

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis (Hardcover)

I'm saddened to say that I've never had the opportunity to visit George Little and David Lewis's celebrated garden on Bainbridge Island, Washington, but at least now I have the next best thing - this beautiful book.

The Little/Lewis garden is a lush Eden filled with tropical foliage and blooms and decorated with the concrete objects that the two have created. Cannas, bananas, colocasia, water lilies, grasses and vines are beautifully displayed among the unique columns, vases, vividly painted walls and water features that the owners have created. Each chapter covers a different element of their garden ("Bones of the Garden," "Brave Plantings," "Elemental Water," "Art and Sculpture," "Time and Rhythm") and they each take turns sharing their thoughts and ideas that will surely inspire the reader. Even more inspring are the outstanding photographs by Barbara Denk.

Although this is not a technical "how-to" book, there are sidebars that tell how to make simple water features (including a jardiniere fountain), materials for building walls, and lists of the author's favorite plants.

The is one of the most beautiful garden books I've ever seen and I would recommend it highly.