Customer Reviews

Small Garden

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

 

 

There are other, better books on the small garden out there. This book is filled with obvious statements e.g. "choose plants and containers that suit the style of your window space." Duh. The words and the design solution aren't the reason I bought the book. I bought it because first of all, there are a lot of pretty pictures. It's nice to page through if I'm bored or need a break. It's something to page through in 5 minutes. The second reason I bought the book is that I was really impressed with John Brookes years ago, before I had any training in design. I loved his gardens. So I wanted this book to see what he was up to. Nostalgia, really. Take it for what it's worth as part of a library. Other books to check out: David Stevens' Small Space Gardens, Joan Clifton's Courtyard & Terrace Gardens, James Grayson Trulove's Pocket Gardens, Katsuhiko Mizuno's Landscapes for Small Spaces: Japanese Courtyard Gardens, and Jamie Durie's The Outdoor Room, to name just a few.

This was a very good introductory book for a beginner like myself to basic principles of garden designing for small spaces. Brookes has separated the major concepts into six easy to read chapters: linking living/outdoor space, style, case studies, design (planning), structure (ground pattern, paving, fencing, furnishings) and planting. Each well-written chapter is accompanied by beautiful pictures to illustrate his point. I've tabbed more ideas from this book, than from any of my other books on garden design. If you are a beginner and have a small or tiny back-yard or no back-yard (roof top, apartment terrace), really consider getting this book.

THis book is heavy -- high quality paper, excellent pictures. It has a lot of really unique and beautiful gardens. More photos than any I have come across; I found the text to be helpful but I'd put this in the category of "inspiration" rather than "instruction." If you know something about gardening and want ideas, I highly recommend it.

Small gardens present the gardener with a host of problems, but also with the rare opportunity to demonstrate a flair for creativity and style in a small setting. In this book, the reader is treated to many wonderful ideas of how to use flowers and plantings to best advantage. Scale must be maintained in a small garden and the color photographs in this book will help guide the gardener establish a truly tranquil and beautiful setting in even the smallest of spaces. Well worth it.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. It provides wonderful inspiration.

Brookes is in a league of his own in terms of smart and creative design.

If you love clean lines and contemporary/modern styles, GET THIS BOOK.

If you have a small garden in the city ,or just any small space which you would like to bring nature beauty in , this is just the book

Loaded with great images , ideas and sound principals.

Just loved it

Lots of love

Guy

Don't go buy this book if you are looking for instructions on how to do what. It's a wonderful book as inspiration. There are many photos of wonderful gardens that will make you get ideas for your own. That is really all I have to say about the book.