Product Description

This first English edition updates Designing with Plants and Dream Plants for the Natural Garden (undated), which inspired a recent European trend of growing wildflowers and ornamental grasses. Dutch garden designers offer plant descriptions, color photos, tips, and resources for natural-looking, l

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16607 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-15
• Original language: Dutch
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

For fans a must, for others first consider 'Dream Plants'
The book is marketed as the successor to 'Dream Plants for the Natural Garden', but in fact it is the precursor - in Holland 'Dream plants...'was sold as 'More Dream Plants'. The lineage is not something the authors try to hide though the same could not be said for the publishers. The information on the plant entries has been largely superseded by Dream Plants (UK & US edition): there is no significant overlap. What the book is strong on is the use of thematic garden schemes and the provision of 'foolproof' plant lists where the exceptional properties of particular plants are identified.
For those who have already been won over by much of the authors' rationale this book is worth the purchase but for others 'Dream Plants..' is a preferable consideration.
Compared to many other gardening books this merits a 5 * recommendation, but Oudolf and Gerritson (both separately and together) have written more authoritive works, hence the 3 * rating.

Great for Addicts!
At first glance, this book appears to add little to the sequel `Dream Plants for the Natural Garden' and the definitive `Designing with Plants' by Piet Oudolf. Only half as many species are covered and devotees clamouring for more inspiring photographs of stunning plant combinations will be a little disappointed.

It does provide an update of cultivars developed since 1999 however, and there are a number of suggested plant combinations that do not appear in the previous books which will be helpful to those enthusiasts developing a naturalistic style of planting in their own gardens. The text is also peppered with little gems of information that increase understanding of individual plant life cycles. To keen supporters of Piet Oudolf's and Henk Gerritson's work these features alone will justify getting the book.

If you are an addict of Piet Oudolf's work and can't get enough of it, go for it!

Inspirational
Fantastic perennial book giving a good informative insight to some of Oudolfs well used plants and combinations. Oudolfs books offer stunning photography and Piet gives personal insight and information on naturalistic plants,leaning away from the usual over cultivated and often gawdy perennials this book takes a walk on the wild side, Even to the conventional gardener this book could help in realising the natural element and realist approach so often needed in many gardens today.. Thanks Ouolf... Inspirational as always