Peaceful Gardens: Transform Your Garden Into a Haven of Calm and Tranquillity [Hardcover]

Stephanie Donaldson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

Make your garden a restful retreat-a place to restore the spirit. Just being outdoors can refresh tired eyes and perk up a tired mind. Imagine spending time in a garden that is relaxing just to look at with simple design, soothing plant colors, scents and textures, and the calming sounds of water, birdsong and the rustle of leaves. Peaceful Gardens shows you how to achieve a tranquil outdoor space with a touch of natural magic.

Experienced gardener and author Stephanie Donaldson promotes the virtues of simplicity in garden design, creating symmetry, and balance. Within the structure of the garden design, she suggests spaces for contemplation, incorporating art and sculpture, and the creation of scenic spots. In the final section, she suggests adding sensory touches such fragrant plants and herbs-for cooking and for aroma-and calming sounds for peace of mind.

With stunning photographs of inspirational peaceful gardens, lists of suggested plants and plenty of ideas for tempting wildlife into your garden, Peaceful Gardens will transform any outside space into a wonderfully restful retreat.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Don't be put off by the cover of this book. This is a book of inspiration, charm and glorious photographs, cleverly brought together by acclaimed garden writer Stephanie Donaldson. She shows you how to bring peace, cohesion and tranquillity to your garden, how to create a sheltered oasis in your busy life and a retreat to embrace at the end of the day. From basic design, Stephanie demonstrates how to turn an ordinary garden into one extra special. From plants with scent or sensory foliage to the gentle trickle of a water- feature and welcome shade, seating, screening and lighting are explored and explained and planting designs, easy and calming on the eye, displayed. With just a little careful planning, a peaceful garden can be yours, a place to escape the stresses of everyday living and a haven of tranquillity, be it Eastern exoticism or English country garden, no matter where you live. - Lucy Watson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Stephanie Donaldson is the gardening editor of Country Living magazine (UK) and writes books on gardening and a wide variety of other subjects. Her books include The Country Store, Household Wisdom, The Shaker Garden, and Venzano, A Scented Garden in Tuscany. Stephanie lives next to the sea on the south coast of England, where the mild climate allows her to experiment with growing the Mediterranean plants she loves in between writing, visiting gardens, and enjoying the seaside life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ryland Peters & Small (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841723886
• ISBN-13: 978-1841723884
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,308,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peaceful Gardens: Transform Your Garden into a Haven ..., January 11, 2007

By 

The Herbarist (Palmyra, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peaceful Gardens: Transform Your Garden Into a Haven of Calm and Tranquillity (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully inspirational book. It is a wonderful "place" to retreat on a cold or rainy day, or enjoy on the porch when the days are sunny and warm. Even if my gardens are never transformed into the relaxing beauty of those presented, it will remain what I call a "daydream" book. Truly enjoyable and relaxing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous garden book with great ideas to lend an air of mystery and serenity to your yard, July 6, 2008

By 

Jill Florio "Reuse, reduce, recycle!" (Verde Valley, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peaceful Gardens: Transform Your Garden Into a Haven of Calm and Tranquillity (Paperback)

This gorgeous book offers insight and creative project ideas for people wanting to set aside an area of the outdoors for relaxation and peace. The subtitle, "transform your outside space into a haven of calm and tranquility," has an undeniable appeal in this hurly-burly modern age.

Simplicity is the keyword here. Stephanie Donaldson's introduction starts the reader on the right foot, advising that it's better to take away garden clutter and fussy design to promote restfulness to the eye. Restricting the color palette is a good beginning, she advises.

The book offers historic techniques for designing soothing, emotionally satisfying yardscapes: from the deceptively simple Japanese-style courtyard, to carefree plantings of prairie grasses and wildflowers.

The serene world painted by Peaceful Gardens is well-populated with elements lending an air of mystery, including arches, benches, winding pathways, outdoor artwork and beckoning, half-overgrown doorways.

Chapters on choosing soothing colors, delightful textures, fragrant appeal and unusual plays of light and shade make for a rich, multi-sensory reading experience. The sidebar lists of plants to select for these options are handy. Also helpful is the coda chapter on adding water elements, and selecting plants that rustle in the wind - the better to add the sense of soothing sound to your visual and olfactory haven.

For centuries, people flocked to sanctuaries for respite from their cares. Monasteries, tea gardens and even resort hotels understand the power of restful plantings to promote spiritual well-being. Now you can take these lessons home for your own personal retreat.

This would make a great book for the office (read a page when you want a break), or a wonderful gift for busy friends. It reminds us we need a place to restore our sanity and let cares fall away. As they say, "the more things change, the more they stay the same."