The Garden Designer

by Williams, Robin

• ISBN13: 9780711227873
• ISBN10: 071122787X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-25
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln

Summary

In this fully revised edition of a classic design and style sourcebook Robin Williams shows how to make beautiful gardens in which every element fits harmoniously into a whole. With a wealth of examples and plans, including three-dimensional sketches, he sets out the general principles of garden design and guides the reader through the process of assessing the plot, finding a style and choosing every garden element, from paths to planting. The book shows a full range of types, materials and styles for every garden detail and advises on suitability for different garden situations, how to design and construct them and how best to place them. Straightforward explanation, professional experience and outstanding illustrations combine to make this a handbook on which anyone making a garden can completely depend.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 6
The Basics of Garden Design	p. 8
Elements of design	p. 12
Principles	p. 12
Style	p. 14
The formal garden	p. 16
The informal garden	p. 18
The combination garden	p. 18
Establishing priorities	p. 20
Take your time	p. 20
Decide what you want	p. 20
Anticipate change	p. 20
Sources of inspiration	p. 21
Compile your checklist	p. 22
The survey	p. 23
Drawing up the survey	p. 24
The analysis	p. 26
The zoning plan	p. 27
The finished design	p. 28
Shaping space	p. 28
Anticipating the effects of perspective	p. 32
The finished design	p. 37
The working plan	p. 39
Work schedule	p. 39
Getting started	p. 40
Shaping and contouring	p. 40
Water problems	p. 42
Drainage	p. 42
Irrigation	p. 44
Marking out	p. 45
Horizontal Surfaces	p. 46
Space and proportion	p. 46
Character underfoot	p. 48
Pattern and scale	p. 49
Horizontal planting	p. 50
Lawns	p. 50
Decorative ground cover	p. 51
Natural effects	p. 52
Flexible surfaces	p. 53
Softer surfaces	p. 53
Hard surfaces	p. 54
Wood	p. 56
Edgings	p. 58
Rigid surfaces	p. 60
Natural stone	p. 60
Reconstituted stone and concrete paving	p. 62
Bricks and tiles	p. 64
Concrete laid on site	p. 66
Steps and ramps	p. 68
Planning steps	p. 68
Safety features	p. 69
Ramps	p. 73
Vertical Elements	p. 74
Defining areas	p. 74
Shelter and screening	p. 76
The lime dimension	p. 77
Vertical planting	p. 78
Designing with plants	p. 78
Hedges	p. 79
Decorating vertical structures	p. 81
Walls	p. 82
Freestanding walls	p. 82
Retaining walls	p. 84
Incorporating wall joints	p. 85
Foundations	p. 86
Brick walls	p. 88
Jointing and pointing	p. 88
Natural stone walls	p. 92
Concrete blockwork walls	p. 96
Cast concrete walls	p. 98
Wood walls	p. 100
Fences	p. 102
Picket fences	p. 102
Stockades	p. 104
Bamboo	p. 105
Split rail	p. 106
Panel fences and palings	p. 108
Metal fences and railings	p. 110
Gates and apertures	p. 112
Screens	p. 112
Gates	p. 114
Grills and windows	p. 117
Decorative structures	p. 118
Pergolas	p. 119
Pergola posts	p. 120
Pergola roof construction	p. 122
Arched walks and tunnels	p. 124
Swags and pillars	p. 125
Trellis	p. 126
Trompe l'oeil	p. 128
Garden buildings	p. 130
Furnishing the Garden	p. 136
Fitting objects to a design	p. 138
Contrasts and focal points	p. 138
Creating pictures	p. 139
Plants and containers	p. 140
Plants as focal points	p. 140
Plant color	p. 142
Plant groups and patterns	p. 144
Choosing containers	p. 145
Pots and vases	p. 147
Planters for windows, walls, and roof gardens	p. 148
Features and equipment for special needs	p. 150
Garden accessories	p. 152
Art and ornament	p. 152
Sundials	p. 154
Bird houses, baths, and tables	p. 155
Lighting	p. 156
Water and rock features	p. 158
Choosing a water feature	p. 158
Ornamental pools	p. 160
The waterside	p. 164
Fountains	p. 167
Cascades and waterfalls	p. 170
Stepping stones and bridges	p. 171
Using natural stone	p. 173
Leisure and garden games	p. 175
Seating	p. 176
Barbecues	p. 179
Children's play	p. 180
Informal games	p. 182
Special games areas	p. 183
Swimming pools	p. 185
Garden Plans	p. 190
Family gardens	p. 192
Water gardens	p. 194
Rose gardens	p. 196
Rock gardens	p. 198
Grass gardens	p. 200
Seaside gardens	p. 202
Plant-lovers' gardens	p. 204
Country-style gardens	p. 206
Wildlife gardens	p. 208
Deck gardens	p. 210
City gardens	p. 212
Dry or xeriscape gardens	p. 214
Endmatter	p. 216
Advice on maintenance	p. 216
Index	p. 218
Acknowledgments	p. 224
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.