Rock Garden Design and Construction

Few gardens can transport visitors to wild and rugged landscapes as well as rock gardens. Eye-catching rock gardens are among the most challenging — and satisfying — expressions of the gardener's craft. A true rock garden is a specialized habitat that allows the gardener to grow plants that do not flourish anywhere else. This book offers the first comprehensive treatment of building rock gardens in all parts of North America. Topics covered include rock placement, materials, and planting and maintenance. Variations on the rock garden theme, from planting troughs to creating water features are also discussed. The book presents regional styles and techniques and profiles a dozen public rock gardens from Oregon to Newfoundland. More than 100 inspiring photos accompany the lively text.

Media reviews of this book:

"Lovely examples of berm, scree, and xeric gardens, both public and private, with a welcome emphasis on the aesthetics of integrating these various contrivances, from rock outcroppings to expanses of gravels, into the larger garden picture."

—Horticulture, June 2004

"Though its pages are graced with more than 100 color images — many showcasing exquisitely conceived and executed rock gardens — this is by no means a mere coffee table book, but rather a treatise that covers every aspect of rock gardening, from sitting and construction to plant selection, culture, and ongoing maintenance. "

—Barry Glick, American Gardener, May/June 2004

"Rock Garden Design and Construction is the first book on the subject to attempt to serve gardeners in all parts of North America, and we are in debt to the North American Rock Garden Society for this fine contribution to the literature ... the novice and advanced gardener are both well-served by this new reference."

—Pacific Horticulture, Fall 2003

"These hands-on gardeners write not just for specialists, but for beginners, too."

—Sally Ruth Bourrie, Oregonian, October 23, 2003

"The aspiring rock gardener will find chapters filled with advice from the bright lights of the rock-gardening world ... The writers' enthusiasm for the subject matter will inspire some to start a rock garden from scratch and inspire experienced gardeners to enhance an existing design."

—Alice Joyce, Booklist, October 15, 2003

Customer reviews of this book:

"Very helpful in the planning and construction of my new rock garden."

—Jerome F. from Southbury, Connecticut, November 2, 2006

"Love it!"

—Diane C. from Evergreen, Colorado, May 15, 2006

"Very informative and detailed; good instructions."

—Laura B. from Wasilla, Alaska, May 4, 2006

"Fabulous book!"

—Erik P. from Seattle, Washington, March 5, 2006

"Good reference book, especially for southern Oregon's complex geology."

—Susan T. from Medford, Oregon, January 16, 2006

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