<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Very complete
Review: An incredibly complete guide to landscaping your home with many illustrative photographs and diagrams. The author covers everything from the setting up landscaping goals to the techniques of putting in edgings, paths, fences and on to choosing and caring for plants. The author does not pull her punches, coming out, for example, clearly against landscape fabric. Although information on the plants themselves is limited, it is an excellent overall gardening book that can be supplemented by more detailed plant guides.
Rating:
Summary: Very complete
Review: An incredibly complete guide to landscaping your home with many illustrative photographs and diagrams. The author covers everything from the setting up landscaping goals to the techniques of putting in edgings, paths, fences and on to choosing and caring for plants. The author does not pull her punches, coming out, for example, clearly against landscape fabric. Although information on the plants themselves is limited, it is an excellent overall gardening book that can be supplemented by more detailed plant guides.
Rating:
Summary: Most comprehensive text on planning a garden
Review: I admire Rita Buchanan's style.In a time of the pre-digested, summarized 'Idiot's Guides', she addresses landscape design in a methodical and logical progression. The text doesn't get bogged down in species' names and planting plans, but instead opens our minds to the larger questions of overall goals and needs. As such, I have found this to be the perfect companion as I plan my garden, opening my mind to the wider possibilities that I hadn't considered. Having said that, you might be disappointed if you are looking for a book to 'dip into' for rapid solutions. I have found this book more rewarding if you have 30 minutes to spare with a comfy chair and cup of coffee, rather than just a 3 minute break.
Rating:
Summary: Most comprehensive text on planning a garden
Review: I admire Rita Buchanan's style. In a time of the pre-digested, summarized 'Idiot's Guides', she addresses landscape design in a methodical and logical progression. The text doesn't get bogged down in species' names and planting plans, but instead opens our minds to the larger questions of overall goals and needs. As such, I have found this to be the perfect companion as I plan my garden, opening my mind to the wider possibilities that I hadn't considered. Having said that, you might be disappointed if you are looking for a book to 'dip into' for rapid solutions. I have found this book more rewarding if you have 30 minutes to spare with a comfy chair and cup of coffee, rather than just a 3 minute break.
Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive and well designed; sometimes too opinionated
Review: The book is what its title says and that's good - a master guide to landscaping. While I respect Ms. Buchanan's opinions on matters of landscaping since she obviously is versed enough to complete this well done and comprehensive book, it seems to me that her opinions sometimes get in the way of common, useful, tried and true landscaping practices. Example: On page 229 she adamantly states, "...Disregard anyone who tells you to set hedge plants in a zigzag pattern...", yet the picture above depicts just that and, quite frankly, it's commonly recommended to do so. As a designer, I do use that technique for hedge planting because it creates a billowy effect and it's more visually interesting, in many instances. The point is, that statement is an opinion that may not be based on anything more than personal taste. Having said that, it's an excellent and in-depth guide to the extensive field of landscaping and a very good book just to see what her educated opinions might be. Keep an open mind and refer also to other more task-specific books and expertise when faced with landscape challenges. This book certainly will entertain one with its views, many of them interesting and useful.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and well designed; sometimes too opinionated
Review: The book is what its title says and that's good - a master guide to landscaping. While I respect Ms. Buchanan's opinions on matters of landscaping since she obviously is versed enough to complete this well done and comprehensive book, it seems to me that her opinions sometimes get in the way of common, useful, tried and true landscaping practices. Example: On page 229 she adamantly states, "...Disregard anyone who tells you to set hedge plants in a zigzag pattern...", yet the picture above depicts just that and, quite frankly, it's commonly recommended to do so. As a designer, I do use that technique for hedge planting because it creates a billowy effect and it's more visually interesting, in many instances. The point is, that statement is an opinion that may not be based on anything more than personal taste. Having said that, it's an excellent and in-depth guide to the extensive field of landscaping and a very good book just to see what her educated opinions might be. Keep an open mind and refer also to other more task-specific books and expertise when faced with landscape challenges. This book certainly will entertain one with its views, many of them interesting and useful.
<< 1 >>
| 
