On the Wild Side: Experiments in New Naturalism

by Keith Wiley

Inspired first by the flora and fauna of rural England, and later by the world's deserts, coastlines, mountains, and woodlands, Keith Wiley has distilled the essence of these wild landscapes into a single garden with breathtaking success. Much more than a book of new planting ideas, On the Wild Side challenges our whole understanding of what a garden is. Why strive for year-round color throughout the garden when small areas can seize the limelight at their seasonal peak? Change and evolution is at the heart of new naturalism — is your garden ready for it?

Genres: Gardening

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Steven McKay]

Okay, I admit that I didn’t read this over to cover, but I’m not going to. This book falls into the category of listing plants that the author has used in expansive landscapes, the likes of which I do not have. Further reducing my interest is that exceedingly few of the plants in the book would survive in my climate. Finally, while there is some good contact, the book is light on principles. Not for me.

[Phillip Oliver]

This is Keith Wiley's older book that explores gardening at The Garden House in the Cornwall region of England (he recently started creating a new garden called Wildside - if you are in the area, you should visit this impression creation). In this book, he discusses his travels and seeing gardens in Africa, United States, etc. and his experiences in growing the same plants (or alternatives) in England. A fascinating book - the only reason I took away a star if the terrible format of the book. The print is so light and small that I could not read it comfortably.

[Anna]

Goals!