Garden design

Can anybody recommend a good garden design book?
Not too wordy, plenty of photos and the basic rules.
I think it is time that I took a more structured approach sooner than 'flying by the seat of my pants'. My garden is pretty, but now it needs something. Can't spot what the problem is, just that there is one.
Carrie

 

I find the best way to design a garden is to look at photographs of other people's gardens and steal their best ideas
Having said that, I have had the benefit of a number of books , two of which I have been able to put my hands on for the purpose of this reply
Good Ideas for your Garden (Reader's Digest) 1995
ISBN 0 276 42141 8
Garden Design Ideas (The Taunton Press) 1994
ISBN 1 56158 079 1
The latter book was apparently first published in Fine Gardening magazine and is a soft back and a much smaller book than the former

 

me too whis4ey.. i have.. good ideas for your garden from readers digest, probably the same book, i dont use it as much now.. bcos i sort of know what im doing when i bought it i just started to garden..helped me a lot, along with lots of other books..

 

Thanks, I will look those books out. The problem is that I have the ideas but am never fully satisified with the results.

 

Like most women Chrysocolla :D

 

This is my favorite design book, it coveres garden plans, planting recommendation for all size and type of gardens with plenty photoes.

"The Small garden Handbook"
- Abbeydale Press
ISBN 1-86147-059-2

 

I can assure you Walnut that I'm not like most women.

 

HaHaHa Chrysocolla :D

 

Really Carrie I thought every woman was mild mannered, does as she's told and terrible sweet....Stepford Wives! :D

Back on thread....I agree with Whis4ey I just love looking at other people's garden pictures and it's pretty good seeing if what they have done works well before going to the time and expense of doing it yourself.

I have quite a few books etc. on gardening but I still find some of the best ideas are from the old Gardener's World mags with the late Geoff Hamilton ideas on garden design still works pretty good.
Helen.xxx

 

I actually went to the Geoff Hamilton garden, Barnsdale, this summer. It reminded me just how much I liked him and his approach to gardening. I also enjoy visiting gardens opening under the Yellow Book scheme.

 

I have an axe to grind, I know, (I've designed around 1000 gardens over the years) but have you considered paying a professional to advise you for an hour or so? It could be �£45 or so well spent.
In addition to drawing garden plans, most will just guide you in the right direction verbally. It seems to me looking a books is not helping you with your specific problem.