Aimed squarely at the inspirational market, this £40 humdinger interprets grand garden designs for the home audience. Gardening literature spans several distinct genres, and this volume fits firmly into the elite cataloging of the best, a category famously occupied by titles such as Monty Don's Around the World in 80 Gardens.
The author, Chris Young, brings flawless pedigree to the project as a former editor of the RHS magazine The Garden and as DK gardening commissioning editor. That depth of experience shines through every page. The book is cleverly structured around visual and spatial themes, including structure, views, planting, and focal points. To bring these concepts to life, Young draws on the work of acclaimed names as diverse as Nigel Dunnett, Derek Jarman, and Sue Beesley. Each practitioner is given their due recognition, complete with an individual biography collected at the back of the book.
Reading through the chapters feels remarkably like taking an extended walk down the Main Avenue at the Chelsea Flower Show. The volume is rich with lavish photography accompanied by highly specific, practical captions. Smart, targeted labels such as "small detailing" and "the middle" break down complex masterplans into actionable visual lessons. Ultimately, it delivers more than enough inspiration to satisfy virtually any gardener in the world.
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