The book takes a comprehensive approach to the complex process of Planting Design. It shows how to choose and combine plants for specific effects: for year-round colour and interest; for drama and movement; and to overcome site difficulties. From initial vision to finished planting, the book clearly explains the practical steps, considerations, opportunities and decisions that need to be taken. This process can be applied to readers' own gardens, and it will also allow them to take their skills further into other people's gardens.

Table of Contents

Contents, 1 Introduction, 2 Planting Design: Form, texture, colour. Plant form. The importance of form in plant association. Flower form. Plant texture. Colour. Seasonal changes. Emotional response to colour. Colour schemes. 3 Plan Association: The use of unity and contrast in planting. Planting in triangles. Visual balance. Repetition. 4 The Use of Plants: Structural, ground cover, ornamental, focal point, functional, Trees , Shrubs, Ground cover, Herbaceous and new wave perennial planting, Natives, Grasses, Bulbs, Roses, Ferns, Bamboos. 5 Plant Selection: Understanding botanical names, Site analysis to determine plant choice, Location, How the site is to be used, Scale, soil, aspect, wind, temperature, frost pockets, Soil analysis to determine plant choice, Soil types and characteristics, PH, The importance of knowing and understanding the soil, Improving the soil, Adding organic matter, Prepartion of planting beds, Weed eradication, Fertilisers, Planting style analysis, Style, mood, theme. The role of planting, Trees, Horticultural qualities, Ecological planting, Factors affecting plant growth, Biodiversity. 6 Planting Plans: The client brief, Planting plans, Elevations from planting plans, Concept/mood boards. 7 Planting Styles and Themes: Dry/mediterranean, Woodland/shade, The typical mixed border, Cottage Style, Low maintanence, Contemporary, Minimalist/modern/high-tech, Container gardens, 8 Aspects of Business: Documentation, Plant supply , Plant schedules , Tree sizes, Tree planting, British standards, Report writing, Schedule of work, Maintenance schedule, Costings, Gardening law, Glossary, Index, Acknowledgements.

About the Author

Hilary Thomas has lectured in Garden Design at the highly-regarded Capel Manor Horticultural College in London, UK. She has been designing gardens for 15 years and teaching students the essential techniques for 12 years since establishing the first planting design course at Capel Manor. Steven Wooster is an award-winning photographer and former garden design graduate at Capel Manor, who can commnicated key garden design concepts through the camera lens. Steven also lives in London.

Prizes

An essential handbook for every would-be garden designer. Provides clear answers for gardeners struggling with any aspect of the designing process, be it plant association, style, or practical considerations. Guidance on costing, ordering plants and garden law will allow readers to be as professional as they chose. Created by an experienced garden design lecturer Hilary Thomas and garden photographer (and garden design graduate) Steven Wooster, the approach is simplified for keen amateurs, students of design and professional designers. All aspects are simple, beautifully illustrated and clearly explained. This innovative approach to using plants in design is not found in any other book. This book is an economical alternative to attending a Planting Design course. Garden Design is a fast-growing area of study with front and back gardens increasingly considered as important considerations in the purchase of a house. Intended for garden designers, design students, keen amateurs and beginner gardeners whose planting lack style and creativity. This book will have an international appeal, as garden and planting design is a global discipline, and the British are universally respected in this. Follows in the steps of the John Brookes Garden Design Course (similar format, similar spec) which takes a much broader approach to design including landscaping, furniture, boundaries, levels and ornamentation.