If you thought there's nothing more you can learn from LA Raymond Jungles, then think again. In his latest book, Beyond Wild: Gardens and Landscapes by Raymond Jungles (Monacelli Press, 2021), Jungles offers a look at 21 of his latest projects, located from Miami to Manhattan, Panama, Mexico, and the Florida Keys.
Filled with fabulous photos and Jungles' iconic drawings, you'll want this book for no other reason than the description and images of the restored Atrium Garden at the Ford Foundation in New York City. It combines the vision of the original landscape architect, Dan Kiley, with new scientific horticultural innovations in order to allow Kiley's design to last for many more years. The plant colors are mainly the same -- shades of green -- but in one instance, Jungles replaced the original southern magnolias with with 'Amstel King' fig trees, which are similar in shape and size. The garden now again looks like the New England forest that Kiley designed, and when you pass by the building on East 43rd Street, you'll definitely take a step inside for a truly sensational experience.
Likewise, you'll want to visit some of the other public gardens profiled in this book: the Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and a public plaza at 1111 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.
In the introduction to the book, landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh notes the influence of the late Roberto Burle Marx in Jungles' work, but there is much more. As Van Valkenburgh says, "Nature is not inherently generous. Raymond is. He composes landscapes with broad, confident gestures that come out of abundance. They are moments that are engulfing -- places that hold you within a madness of plants. But his abundance always comes back to the same purpose: to make us feel good."
And it will certainly make you feel good to have and hold this book. A perfect present, as well, for anyone on your holiday gift list.
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