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Thomas Hobbs

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Shocking Beauty Hardcover – September 15, 1999

by Thomas Hobbs (Author)

4.1 27 ratings

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Find inspiration and fresh ideas with this beautifully photographed garden design book.

In Shocking Beauty, visionary garden impresario Thomas Hobbs offers his original and trendsetting treatises on garden design. In inspiring essays such as "Portable drams", "Staging Incidents" and "Zonal Denial, Hobbs uses examples from exceptional gardens throughout North America and Europe to demonstrate how a garden freed from the bonds of conventional design can result in spaces of singular and startling allure. Hobbs suggests that nature is the best teacher for blending color, texture and plant species to create "shocking beauty" in a garden.

Shocking Beauty offers an in-depth gardening book with a twist-it enables you to discover what it takes to stop people in their tracks and realize how stunning nature can be. Illustrated with over 200 striking full-color photographs, this thought-provoking book will inspire people who've never gardened before and invigorate the passions of those who already know the joy of gardening.

Garden design topics include:

Inspiration
Zonal Denial
Good Neighbors
High Tension
Color: Cause & Effect
Staging Incidents
Portable Drama
Home
Visions

Print length

160 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Periplus Editions
Publication date

September 15, 1999
Dimensions

10 x 0.8 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

9625935428
ISBN-13

978-9625935423
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A virtual call-to-arms, an impassioned plea to liberate ourselves from the confines of stodgy, traditional design and to create our gardens with an electrifying sense of drama and flamboyance." —Fine Gardening

"Thomas Hobbs' words are as empowering as the photographs of unexpected plant combinations, striking colors, and unconventional garden scenes." —House Beautiful

"This is an extraordinary book…Hobbs is an extraordinary gardener and writer and his book is a testimonial to his own knowledge of, and dedication to, the art and techniques of gardening…The photos, which range from dazzling flowerbeds to understanding landscapes, complete this marvelous argument for beauty-creating boldness." —The Hamilton Spectator

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Periplus Editions; Hardcover with Jacket edition (September 15, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9625935428
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9625935423
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.44 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.8 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,844,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #315 in Garden Pictorials
- #753 in Ornamental Plant Gardening (Books)
- #1,362 in Landscape

Customer Reviews:
4.1 27 ratings

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4.1 out of 5

27 global ratings

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moonflower

Artistic and beautiful

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023

Verified Purchase

An important book for those who desire to carry out a visual dialogue in their garden.

Helpful

Doss Woods

Beautiful gardens, good ideas and a dose of snobbery

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2004

Verified Purchase

Hobbes states on page 4 that "A total lack of inspiration is a sign of laziness" and "Lazy people should not garden because they end up demonstrating their nature publicly." A very harsh judgement indeed - and very sad for the experimental gardener. He continues to congratulate himself throughout the book, which is unnecessary because he designs beautiful gardens.

On the other hand, the photos are beautiful - albeit some with the obvious help of alterations made by a computer and not the gardener.

Hobbes does share lovely ideas that can easily be taken to your own garden and used no matter what your budget and size considerations. I particularly like the good descriptions of the plantings in the photos and the wide variety of settings. Solutions are simple in these gardens and they are beautiful at the same time. He challenges us to try new groupings of colors and shapes (I guess only in the framework of his idea of "vision").

If you love beautiful, expensive books of gardens that can give you good ideas, this book can be worth every penny. I am not sorry I bought it.

30 people found this helpful

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addy

Shocking, yes, beauty, no.

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022

Verified Purchase

Let the photo be a warning of the very poor quality and even poorer choices of the author.
Please save your money. I was so disappointed by this book. Absolutely a complete waste if $$$.
Often times what lacks in content can be made up for with pretty photos. It’s shocking how this book came short of both.

One person found this helpful

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flylady

Shocking indeed!

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2011

Verified Purchase

I first came across Thomas Hobbs in a Fine Gardening magainze article which mentioned also THE JEWEL BOX GARDEN. If you are an avid gardener and especially like succulents, this book will be a treasured addition to your library. I especially love going through the photos when the snow if piling up outside.

One person found this helpful

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Bamboochik

Not My Cuppa Tea

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

I have wanted this book for years and finally was able to purchase it. I was very disappointed because the title does not describe the book in my minds eye. I thought I would be seeing some really outstanding and different gardens to give me some inspiration for my own gardens. Instead I was bored to death. Gave it away.

4 people found this helpful

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cwebdog

Amazing photographs!

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2009

Verified Purchase

Excellent examples of gardening in the northwest! Even though I garden in Minnesota, I can still see things that I could attempt to replicate in my garden. Fantastic use of contrasting colors and textures. This is not a "How-to" book, but rather an assembly of gorgeous examples of the possibilities!

2 people found this helpful

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GMC

I loved this book I read every word and will go ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

I loved this book I read every word and will go back now and look again at the beautiful photos. This book is primarily inspirational. If you garden this should be in your library.

One person found this helpful

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TH

and great ideas for the yard

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

Makes me want to garden!!! Gorgeous photos, and great ideas for the yard.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Collector

Unusual but glorious pairings

Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

Plant combos in this book are an eye-opener, somehow different than I’ve seen in other books. A similarly-themed volume with examples in cooler growing zones with shorter seasons would be most welcome.

Chris Templer

A must for lovers of theatrical gardens !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2010

Verified Purchase

This is the most exciting , visual gardening book I have seen in years .No horticultural tips , just pages of beautifully photographed planting combinations and inspirational ideas and prose ! It inspired me to spend a small fortune at my local garden centre . I cannot recommend the book highly enough , if like me , you love dramatic and theatrical gardens !

Tim Evans

An excellent read!

Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

Despite being out of print, this is definitely a classic!!!

Shannon Darby Jane Witham

love love love

Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

I love Hobbs. The photos are stunning, the commentary is clear and witty. Very inspiring, especially during a gray, west coast winter.

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