Customer Reviews

Hillside Landscaping: A Complete Guide to Successful Gardens on Sloping Ground

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has some excellent ideas and design concepts for landscaping those hills of yours. For me, the diversity of colorful photos provided some wonderful ideas when working with my landscape architect. This book has a good section on erosion control and drainage, but probably not detailed enough for more severe grades - in which case you should probably consult a professional. We already hired a landscape architect, but having this book has given us some great ideas and direction for what we want to do with our hillside.

The other reason you may want a professional is that the last section which recommends plants to use for erosion control is not all that useful. In fact, I knocked a few stars from my review because they specifically recommended Hedera (English Ivy) and Hypericum (St. Johnswort) on their Ground Cover list. Both of these species are quite invasive and extremely bad selections, especially in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Hedera is on our state's Noxious plants list and eradication of Ivy is a high priority. Additionally, some studies have shown that Ivy has little effect on erosion control. It is better to consult with your local nursery or landscape architect on best erosion control plants to use in your specific location as these can differ significantly by zone.

So many visual ideas in this book with practical "how to" advice as well! Full of color photo's of beautiful landscaping along with clear instructions on how to do things like stonework, steps, paving, walls, etc. I've just purchased some land on a mountain in a rural location and I'm very glad to have this book. Highly recommended.

Great photos of beautiful designs. However, most if done professionally would be in the $100K range, and many are beyond the scope of the average DIY. It is a great book for dreaming and imagining what is possible, but there is not enough practical translation to smaller, more realistic projects. If you don't already own a book with big ideas and stunning shots, this is a good one, and though it has some diagrams and advice for construction, it probably will not be detailed enough for most projects.

Really useful book if you are landscaping a hillside. Constructed the wood frame steps and they came out beautiful!

helpful info and contains excellent inspiration photos. recommmend for gardeners facing a steep or gentle hill.

This book has lots of photos that I've seen over and over in other Sunset books. Some of the photos give the appearance of belonging in a national park, showing massive lawns, and every inch of dirt covered with plantings. A few photos show plants that are not mentioned. A good part of the book is devoted to construction basics. If you're not a DIY'er, and you want one of these pictures to be your yard, especially with the hardscape, it would set you back around $100K. Nothing in this book inspired me any further in designing my yard than I already am. But since it is subjective matter, perhaps a few of the photos will appeal to some. It will become a Christmas gift for my son.

We are just getting started, and this reference is helpful with many of our decisions: retaining walls, steps and walkways, plantings, water courses, seating areas. The photo examples are excellent.

Got this for my brother, who has a hillside to deal with. Loved so many of the ideas, and all the technical knowhow should help him with drainage problems.

I really liked the book it helped me in planning some yard work and it has great pictures.