The Minimalist Garden (Hardcover)

For many, the idea of a "minimalist" garden is a contradiction in terms; as we scurry about our gardens trying to ensure an abundant growth of bushy, bright plants and shrubs. The book's argument is that in using the simple stand fewest elements to maximum effect you draw more attention to the plants and garden space than would ever be possible in a the haphazard, traditional English garden. The phrase "less is more" was coined in the 50s but this type of garden derives some of its major influences from much earlier than that. It charts the progress of the "modern" look from the 15th-century gardens of Japanese monasteries through to some of today's most technologically advanced water gardens.

The Minimalist Garden is simply divided allowing you to browse courtyards, roof Gardens, pools, country and landscapes touched by minimalism. It also covers how, in more favourable climes, the distinction between inside and outside space can be completely blurred, leading to some stunning and innovative living spaces. Here it succeeds in subtly redefining how we view our outside space. Inadvertently, you may question if a bare concrete space without a single leaf or blade of grass can really be called a garden?

Intended for thoughtful contemplation rather than practical information, The Minimalist Garden is an absolute delight to browse. Not too many clues are given away as how to achieve the look and the overall feel is "if you want it to look like this, get someone in", rather than DIY. Nevertheless, it can provide some inspiring ideas of the extents to which the minimalist style can affect garden planning and design and it will definitely help you keep your hands clean. --Tony Martin

Product Description
Minimalist gardens, with their emphasis on clean lines, pure form and a strong sense of space, are becoming increasingly popular. Exploring some of the very best examples - large and small, urban and rural - from around the world, award-winning garden designer Christopher Bradley-Hole explains how an understanding of space and proportion can be combined with a clever use of materials and imaginative planting to create a retreat of tranquil simplicity - perfect for those who want a place to unwind. The same principles are shown to be applicable to smaller gardens and to gardeners with a minimum of time to spare. - First British book on this increasingly popular and important area of garden design - Written by an award-winning and internationally acclaimed garden designer - Relevant to urban and rural gardens of all sizes and to ecologically aware and time-conscious gardeners - Features the work of acclaimed designers from around the world - Practical directories of appropriate materials and architectural plants

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