Many of my landscape design clients ask what comes first in design. To a designer with years of experience, the answer is easy. But most novices and homeowners have little understanding of the complexities involved in creating a successful and beautiful garden.
Now, landscape designer Vanessa Nagel, APLD, has put it all together in her new book Understanding Garden Design: The Complete Handbook for Aspiring Designers
As far as Nagel is concerned, a garden is not just pretty plants. Rather, being in a garden should be a visual and emotional experience, a place for healing and nurturing, and also a place to express one's personality, culture, and artistic nature.
Nagel explains exactly how landscape designers work: evaluating the site to connect the interior of the house to outside areas; keeping everything within the proper scale; documenting potential problems and assets. Chapter three guides readers through the essential process of determining what you want; and chapter four tells you how to put it all together. Nagel also covers the basic principles of good landscape design; how to select garden furniture and accessories; irrigation; plants; lighting; and installation. Nagel ends up with a chapter on garden parties and garden tours -- planning, etiquette and creating the ambiance to show off the garden at its best.
It's a wonderful handbook for anyone to own. Nagel's photographs and drawings clearly illustrate all the major design concepts she discusses in the text. If you're a designer, the book will remind you about the many details you might overlook. If you're a homeowner, it'll help you understand why you need a designer -- and how to work with one. What more could anyone ask?
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