The Green Pages: The Intimate Garden: Twenty Years and Four Seasons in Our Garden (Printed Media, Books, Magazines)

Book Description: "Garden and landscape designer Gordon Hayward and his wife, Mary, take the measure of their home garden―in process for more than twenty years―and tell readers how to make their own gardens welcoming and personal, truly a reflection of their needs and dreams. As the Haywards point out, "successful gardens grow naturally out of their owners; great garden design is honest, authentic, and unself-conscious." Gordon explains how aspects of his and Mary's lives are woven into their garden, but also how those aspects remain firmly fixed in universal design principles that apply to every garden. With the practical advice and achievable aims that make his other books so rewarding, Hayward lets readers in on the secrets that make his garden outstanding. Almost 200 stunning photographs specially commissioned for the book show key garden views in all four seasons, giving readers a rare look at a year in a garden. Before-and-after shots, detailed garden maps, and plant lists are included. 200 photographs."

I highly recommend all of Gordon Hayward's gardening books, but this one is by far my favorite. Scholarly reference formats have their place, but I truly enjoy books that weave personal narrative, great photographs, and garden design practices into an easy to read for pleasure format. The Intimate Garden is one of the best of this kind and is another that I reread often.

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