Growing Pains: Time and Change in the Garden

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Summary: The gods have answered my garden prayers with this book!
Review: Oh what a fabulous book! Since I began reading this book two days ago my relationship to my inherited garden has changed from subserviant care-taker to self-empowered garden visionary. It contains such helpful information on issues of landscaping - the basic rules for movement through the garden, perspective and proportion - debunks some garden myths - perrenials are not forever - and gave me the permission I've been waiting for to rip my columnular junipers out with a light heart and easy mind. I am making plans to annialate and create all over the place! Yippeeee! The best part is I am still only halfway through the book. My day and night dreams are filled with new designs for my garden and my life as a gardener has had a wonderful refreshing boost. I am going to use this book as a landscaping reference, study guide and source of inspiration whenever the gardening blues set in. Thanks Patricia!

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Summary: Sophisticated and realistic approach to gardening
Review: This is an extraordinary book. Though aimed at those who are re-assessing and re-vitalizing older gardens, is an excellent book for novice gardeners. It would help people avoid the pitfalls of creating gardens out of only plants they adore rather than using their instincts and intelligence in creating dynamic, highly personal gardens. Ms. Thorpes' writing style is very engaging and she addresses ecological issues in a thought-provoking way. This is simply a superb book, and is far superior to many glossy picture gardening books which "gloss" over the surface of critical processes required to make healthy gardens. Gardening requires work, thoughtfulness and knowledge, as Ms. Thorpe knows. I would give this book and "Dirt" by Dianne Benson to every gardener I know.