Elements of Garden Design

"There is no other work on design that I would so unhesitatingly recommend to novice and experienced gardeners alike."—Tom Fischer, former editor of Horticulture magazine

"Rather than presenting 101 landscape tips, Joe Eck truly identifies and examines—not just 'what should be,' but what could be. He helps readers visualize the possibilities and identify the ideas that match their garden's spirit."—Ken Druse, author of The Passion for Gardening

"Articulate and thought-provoking—the strength of Eck's writing comes from its basis in practice, for in actually creating a designed landscape that works, Eck has no equal in America."—Daniel J. Hinkley, author of The Explorer's Garden and founder of Heronswood Nursery

"Written for serious gardeners at any level of expertise, these thoughtful essays transcend the how-to genre and speak rather to the fine art of gardening as Eck defends his 'argument' that 'what defines a garden is less what is grown in it than how what grows is arranged.' Drawn from a series of articles Eck wrote in the early 1990s for Horticulture magazine, the book is divided into two sections, 'Theory' and 'Practice,' covering such principles as 'Scale,' 'Structure' and 'Symmetry,' along with more concrete topics, e.g., 'Lawns and Ground Covers,' 'Water in the Garden' and 'Utility Areas.' In the chapter entitled 'Repose,' for instance, Eck explores ways to achieve this quality in a garden, whether through a balance of mown grass against a border, the repetition of elements or the creation of a secluded corner. Eck, who coauthored A Year at North Hill with Wayne Winterrowd, writes a formal, elegant prose illuminated by wisdom gleaned from years of experience and sparked with flashes of dry wit. Inviting serious study as well as browsing, this volume deserves a spot on any dedicated gardener's shelf."—Publishers Weekly