Customer Reviews

Natural Landscapes

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Inspirational book which catches the mood of the moment in garden design. Contemporary in style, taking cues for planting style and garden features from the natural surroundings, the gardens are designed for long term establishment and low maintenance. John Brookes creates a further layer of fascination by including projects from around the world which illustrate different cultural, climatic and floral influences. The design principals are easy to follow and could be applied wherever you and your project are.

Conceptual plans are shown which reveal the development of the designer's ideas and how he has resolved design issues. These plans are simple, informative and would inspire even the "artistically challanged" to have a go. The major step by step process of realising the concept is explored and details as to how "special effects" (such as creating a wild flower meadow)are actually achieved are highlighted.

I have recommended this book to many of my clients just to stretch their immagination as to how to build on the natural beauty of their surroundings as a starting point to transforming their garden.

The only use for this book that I can think of (besides expensive kindling) is to look at pictures of what "natural" gardens in various climates can look like with a good designer. There is very little to be learned from this book. There are few plant lists, the diagrams are weak at best, and very few design principles are explained. Your money would be much better spent elsewhere.