Skip navigation.

Garden Design Books

Last post 24-03-2009 12:09 PM by loulou. 15 replies.

Page 1 of 2 (16 items) 1 2 Next >
  • 07/10/2008 04:26 PM
    • John
    • Scotland
    • 07 Oct 2008
    • 3
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    Hi folks,

     

    New to gardening and design so be easy with meSmile

    I am looking for a Garden Design workbook where there is Questions and answers sessions at the end of each section.

    I have loads of books on Garden design, but none where they actually ask you questions in relation to the book content.

    I have been looking at long distance courses, however I have always been suspicious of these companies in terms of how much you actually learn. Any ideas please.

     

    Thanks  

     

     
  • 07/10/2008 07:45 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
    Top 10 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Hi John.

    Go easy? Not a chance - one slip and you're compost!Devil

    Are you looking for a book to teach you the principles of design (in order to get a qualification  for example) or is it because you want to design your own garden?

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 07/10/2008 08:12 PM
    In reply to
    • John
    • Scotland
    • 07 Oct 2008
    • 3
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    Thanks for the reply.

    I am just looking for something to test my knowledge or lack of itBig Smile .

    I have designed a few small gardens for friends and family. All low maintenance, more hard landscaping than planting. When I say design I use the word vaguely. Nothing professional just a few basic drawings.

    I am hoping to gain a qualification in the future. However work commitments and family are priority at the moment.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
  • 08/10/2008 05:51 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
    Top 10 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

     Sorry that I can't help. I've read some books that have contained useful advice, but if you've already designed some gardens, I think they'd be much too basic for you.

    It might be interesting to get some of those glossy books with pictures of big famous gardens in (libraries often have a good selection of these) and see if you can deduce what makes them work. Actually, looking in a big library might reveal some good design books too.

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 08/10/2008 06:18 PM
    In reply to
    • Digger
    • Northern UK
    • 18 Jul 2005
    • 4,743
    Top 10 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Good idea we have a library here and it's full of books of all descriptions

    digger Devil
  • 08/10/2008 07:29 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
    Top 10 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

     Err, yes ... Smile

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 09/10/2008 07:00 PM
    In reply to
    • John
    • Scotland
    • 07 Oct 2008
    • 3
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    Thanks for the replies guys.

    I currently have 6 planting and garden design books from my local library.  Yes  

    I am seriously thinking about doing a long distance course now. Looking at the net.The learning curve and KLC courses in level 2 certificate in Horticulture.

     

     

     
  • 09/10/2008 08:06 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,347
    Top 10 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    A book I have that might be useful is 'What Plant Where' by Roy Lancaster. It's divided into sections for different conditions and plant types eg Shrubs tolerant of Damp Sites and Watersides or Perennials for Ground Cover in Shade. 

     It's not a design book, but I'd guess if people are asking you for help, it will often because they feel their garden has a problem - that could well be 'difficult' growing conditions.

     

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 02/01/2009 10:20 PM
    In reply to
    • Pip
    • Sussex
    • 31 Dec 2008
    • 6
    Not Ranked
    Reply | Contact

    You might still be able to get old exam papers. Ask at your local horti college. Best wishes, Pip.
  • 22/03/2009 03:19 PM
    In reply to
    Top 150 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    HI, John Brookes'book "Garden Design" ISBN 0-7513-0981-8 can be followed like a work book. As many design schools base their courses around this book it is a good place to start. Just follow thge steps through from beginning to end and you will be able to design a garden by the numbers.

    James Gardner
  • 22/03/2009 04:40 PM
    In reply to
    • Clematis
    • Biggar
    • 30 Jun 2008
    • 25
    Top 200 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    I'm doing the HCC Course at the moment - well I'm supposed to be but it's on hold till Easter!  It's quite expensive but you have about 2 years to complete and gives you entry level to RHS (I think?)  Put me right here if I've got that wrong!  I got the first 3 modules within a couple of weeks as well as some fre books to help - Plant Combinations  / Lillies/ Geraniums etc all RHS books and probably worth about £40  of the course fee.

    Course is called Beautiful Gardens and comes in Activity modules - it presumes you have a greenhouse.  Each module has 10 - or so research quick questions and 4 design questions to answer and also gives you course notes...

    10 short answer questions UNIT 2 ask... Eg... Define the term Micro- climate, Name 4 plants suitable for hot, dry garden sites...

    Design a large public garden area, between two, north to south alligned, 8 storey blocks of flats.... question goes on in more detail...

    I'm working on a design for a Mediterranean garden at the moment but  too much on at work to get stuck in to it!

    Had to design ideas for a winter garden last time - berries / bark / leaf colour etc...

    Each module looks at different aspects of garden design from planning / design to budgeting / sourcing and costing out plants.  Hope this helps you make up your mind?  I have various books but none that ask questions in depth as this does.

    Clematis
  • 22/03/2009 06:20 PM
    In reply to
    • patiopal
    • My Garden forums
    • 11 Feb 2009
    • 72
    Top 75 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    three of my 'starter' books, all got in charity shops have me so excited! yeh, you've seen that word beside my name a few times so far. 'A step-by-step Guide to Creative PATIO AND CONTAINER GARDENING. ISBN 1-85833-243-5 1995, yes old but not as old as I. I have found it great so far, I am a complete beginner. 'Great Plants for Small Gardens' Nigel Colborn ISBN 1 85029 907 2 1997 Small Garden Planner by Roger Sweetinburgh ISBN 0 600 58508 5 1995 They DID have me in a spin, you have to start somewhere and there is enough in those for me to last a life time. the orginal prices in order were: £14.99 bought for E4.00 £17.99 bought for E7.00 £12.99 bought for E8.00 Correction - bought in second hand book shop! ann

  • 23/03/2009 07:02 PM
    In reply to
    • Clematis
    • Biggar
    • 30 Jun 2008
    • 25
    Top 200 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    I've found some great bargains on Gardening books in Charity shops - Bought one on Alpines and Rock gardens on Saturday for £1.25 - a great read with lots of ideas and pictures - got the Gardening Year by Lance Hattitt for £2 a couple of weeks ago... full of ideas for each month of the year and checklists for what to do as well as lovely photos to get you started!  Don't know what the orginal cost was but definitely a good buy for £2!   I also use the local library inranet system to look for books in other libraries and get them from there too.  Local Libraries also have book sales every so often and are a good source of materials!

    Clematis
  • 23/03/2009 07:06 PM
    In reply to
    • Clematis
    • Biggar
    • 30 Jun 2008
    • 25
    Top 200 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Hi John - hope you don't live in my area of Scotland or we'll be vieing for the same books!  A friend did the Learning Curve course and then went on to complete his RHS courses - he had good things to say about the tutors and the course!  I've downloaded some of their material and also found it helpful.

    Clematis
  • 24/03/2009 12:02 PM
    In reply to
    • loulou
    • glasgow
    • 22 Oct 2008
    • 14
    Top 500 Contributor
    Reply | Contact

    Hi John,

     I've just signed up with Learning Curve to do their garden design course and am also half way through their RHS course - both extremely good and great tutors :) The garden design course starts from scratch, so you may find it too introductory if you already have a lot of experience under your belt, although some of the later assignments look scarily advanced.

    There are some short face-to-face courses at the Chelsea Physic Garden that I understand are excellent, and perhaps that kind of thing would be a good option if you are within travelling distance? 

    Books-wise I'd recommend Rosemary Alexander's Essential Garden Design Workbook :-) It covers all of the basics, so you may find its going over some old ground, but sometimes I think that's a good thing, as it helps to fill in any gaps? John Brooke's book Garden Design is also very good, and I've just ordered his 'Garden Design Course', which I think is his newest book, so I'll let you know what that's like when it arrives.

     Partly its finding a designer/writer you relate to too, tho' isn't it. I really like John Brooke's designs, but I understand they're not everyone's cup of tea, and I suppose the same could be said for all well-known designers. 

    lou x