Living Fences: A Gardener's Guide to Hedges, Vines & Espaliers [Paperback]

Ogden Tanner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1995

How to plant and maintain a variety of living alternatives to imposing fences, from simple spot screens of shrubs and trees, to formal and informal hedges of various kinds, to colorful vertical gardens supported by trellises and wires.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Those looking for solitude?or simply privacy?in their gardens as well as beauty will find a host of choices in this comprehensive, accessible, sophisticated and fluidly written overview of the title's trio of naturally growing alternatives to fences. In the main chapters, Tanner (Gardening America) provides information on the three varieties of horticultural fences, following each with a generous listing of species suitable for specific tasks, e.g.,"windbreaks," "espaliers for foliage and form," "fast-growing vines." Thumbnail plant "bios" include such considerations as hardiness zones, available cultivars, planting procedures and care. Illustrated with lush photographs, the volume concludes with a list of resource nurseries and a bibliography. Gently reminding new yard- and garden-makers that hedges need be neither tall nor evergreen, Tanner offers much to experienced gardeners too: the section on espaliers?one of gardening's more challenging specialties?is itself worth the price of the book.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Tanner points out that living fences can do more than just screen views or act as property boundaries. Hedges, vines, and espaliers can also act as partitions to enclose or divide gardens and sitting areas. A smaller living fence can hide an outdoor work space from the rest of the garden so that tools are stored out of sight. His book explores a variety of living fences as alternatives to expensive stockade fences, giving detailed explanations on selecting, planting, and propagating plants and shrubs. There is advice on selecting, pruning, and training species, detailing their advantages and disadvantages, ranges, and growing needs. Color photographs throughout. George Cohen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881527689
• ISBN-13: 978-1881527688
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great design ideas for limited space., July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Fences: A Gardener's Guide to Hedges, Vines & Espaliers (Paperback)

We purchased a new home surrounded by small planting areas with unusual dimensions. We wanted fruit trees, fragrant plants inviting to humming birds, a living privacy screen and an enchanting garden.

Ogden Tanner presented a variety of useful information regarding espaliers including historical notes, designs, practical construction sketches, types of materials, and best of all free catalogs from growers.

We began planning our first espaliered living, "orchard"-fence. Soon we will plant one peach, one nectarine, and two apricot trees on our little bit of land.

Thank you Ogden Tanner for your ideas in Living Fences.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for the home gardener, May 22, 2010

By 

CanHope (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Living Fences (Hardcover)

An excellant book with lots of information on creating living fences. Based on the content, we decided to use three triple horizontal cordon espaliers as a "living fence" in our backyard. They look fantastic. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for alternatives to the usual expensive fencing solutions.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch garden book on hedges, May 14, 2009

By 

Gardener (Walla Walla, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Fences: A Gardener's Guide to Hedges, Vines & Espaliers (Paperback)

One of the best garden books I've ever read. Full of gorgeous photos, and detailed descriptions. Wonderful and inspiring.