The Ultimate Garden Designer

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View books by Tim Newbury.

Many specific plans; other info less good. - Rated
I'd give this 3 and a half stars.

There are many very specific plans (eg Japanese, for the disabled, wildlife). These also give plant lists, which some other books don't, and the plans are useful and attractive. I don't like the fact that it's arranged according to purpose rather than plot size & shape, but loads of different plots are covered within each section. My preference is influenced by having a long garden whish is my biggest concern.

I find the 2nd section, on specific features such as containers, too basic - you may well have better information elswhere.

I prefer Robin Williams' book, The Garden Planner, but it doesn't give anywhere near as many suggestions of plants, so if you're really into this subject it would be worth getting both. (The reason I prefer the other one is that it has better information on how to survey your garden at the start; nice photographs; and a layout that suits my needs.) But I'm glad I got both!

Makes designing your garden space simple... - Rated
This book takes the myth out of garden design, I found it an inspiriation for my garden and have now started sketching designs for other people with good success. The second part of the book 'Garden Features' is both informative and incredibly practical, offering good variations to common themes.

One of the best reference guides around. - Rated
Along with a few other landscaping/design books this is a must-have. If planning from scratch the variety of ideas and layouts provide the framework for good and exciting garden design. Broken down into themes, the attention to detail, diagrams and representations are excellent. Whether you want to replicate the ideas or use them as guides to develop your own schemes you won't be disappointed.

Including the use of plant, trees, landscaping materials, layouts and water features it is excellent value.

The best garden design book yet seen! - Rated
I have many books on garden design, and borrowed more from the library. Tim Newbury's book is easy to read, full of ideas, with planting schemes, and alternative layouts to suit gardens of varying shapes.

He covers cottage gardens, kitchen gardens, gardens for entertaining, family gardens, gardens for the disabled, the plant enthusiasts' garden, water gardens, japanese-style gardens, formal gardens, coastal gardens, wildlife gardens, woodland gardens, front gardens and roof gardens. He covers every aspect of gardens, including specific ideas for garden features, pools, streams and water features, rock gardens, pergolas and arches, summerhouses, gazebos etc, patios and paving, steps, slopes, walls, fences, trellises, screens, beds and borders, herb gardens pots and containers. All this plus a plant directory.

His schemes are realistic for today's gardeners and will give anyone wanting help to plan their garden a whole host of inspirations, be it a corner you want to reorganise - to a whole garden layout. I heartily recommend this book - A must for gardeners' bookshelf!

an excellent helpful book full ideas - Rated
I bought this book to help with the design of my front garden, and found some excellent ideas and inspirations. The book gives you advise on all aspects you can think of from building a pergola to designing a patio, if you are stuck for ideas this is the book to help you ,with plenty of garden layouts large and small for you to adapt to your own needs.