Naturalistic Gardening: Reflecting the Planting Patterns of Nature

by Ann Lovejoy, Allan Mandell (Photographer)

Details ways to organize beds, borders, walkways, and edges that borrow themes, colors, and structures from nature

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Cate (Kate) Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with everything by Ann Lovejoy, I found much to savor in this book and much to take away and out to the garden. The chapters on visually layering plants and especially the Northwest Naturalistic style nailed what I am trying to achieve in my woodland garden. I've used a couple of the techniques that she describes, just be trial and error (probably more error) and so it is nice to know that I am generally on the right track with the design. Her prose is so readable, and I always have my eyes opened a bit more when I read her take on the natural world and gardening.
Having said that, this book might not be for everyone. It is just a tad dated, and if you are a consumer of more current garden design tomes, this one might feel a wee bit 90s-ish. Didn't bother me one bit.