5 Favorite Garden Design Books

Now is the perfect time to start planning next year's garden and pondering the possibilities for garden designs that will work for you. Most of all vegetable gardens have been harvested, the fruit trees have been picked over, the leaves have been raked or blown and unless some snow comes your way, you're outdoor work may well be done for now. Winter is the perfect time to make a cup of hot tea and snuggle up with the best garden design books to plan next year's garden and landscaping projects. Here's an overview of five helpful garden books that are educational and inspiring too.

Big Book of Garden Designs by Marianne Liponovich and Tom Wilhite

The Big Book of Garden Designs is one of the great overall books on garden design. This garden design book has 120 garden designs ranging from small areas like an entranceway to large areas like an expansive backyard.

Big Book of Garden Designs is filled with landscaping inspirations. Are you interested in a color garden, a cottage garden, a specialty theme or a kitchen and herb garden? This garden design book has planting lists, design tips and advice from professional gardeners.

I recommend this garden design book for all levels from beginner to pro.

Readers give The Big Book of Garden Designs 4 ½ out of 5 stars on Amazon.com where it is currently available for under $10.00.

Reader's Digest Garden Design: How to be Your Own Landscape Architect by Robin Williams

Reader's Digest Garden Design has over 500 color illustrations. Williams will help gardeners plan a garden, establish priorities and evaluate the landscape.

From water gardens to city gardens to wildlife gardens, this garden design book will help you design and furnish a garden to beautify your home landscape.

This garden design book is so inspiring. The photos alone are worth and it is usable by gardeners of all levels of experience.

Readers give the Reader's Digest Garden Design book a 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com where it is available for under $22.00.

The Essential Garden Design Book: Second Edition by Rosemary Alexander

The Essential Garden Design Book: Second Edition is a very comprehensive book that incorporates nature's principles with creativity. This book addresses gardening in the big picture including plants, people and wildlife too.

There are helpful photographs and over 400 line drawings and diagrams to assist garden designers.

This garden design book is very comprehensive and detailed but may not be for beginners. I recommend this one for gardeners or landscapers with some experience.

Readers give the Essential Garden Design Book 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com where it is currently available for under $25.00.

Encyclopedia of Garden Design and Structure: Ideas and Inspirations for Your Garden by Derek Fell

The Encyclopedia of Garden Design and Structure really is filled with an encyclopedia of ideas. You can use this garden design book to incorporate ideas from award winning gardens into your own backyard.

This garden design book has over 1,000 inspiring photographs. It's much like a garden scrapbook from around the world.

I recommend this garden design book for any level gardener but especially for those looking for new and unique ideas.

Readers give the Encyclopedia of Garden Design and Structure 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com where it is currently available for under $20.00.

Garden Design by DK Publishing, Richard Sneesby, Andrew Wilson, Paul Williams, Andi Clevely, Jenny Hendy

Garden Design is a new release (March 2009) that is an excellent choice in garden design books. It covers all of the basics on plants and garden plans whether large or small. It's very much a "how to" covering many garden design styles including sustainable gardens.

There's also a section on garden construction projects including fences, decks and paths. There are many helpful and inspiring photographs.

I recommend this garden design book for all levels of gardeners and landscapers. As a DK Publishing book, this one may be available at your local library. You can find in on Amazon.com for around $26.00.

In addition to a collection of garden design books, many magazines such as Organic Gardening, Birds and Blooms and Southern Living often showcase garden design ideas. Don't forget to have a sketchpad or garden journal handy to take notes and sketch out your garden design ideas for next year.

Sources:

Personal Collection

Amazon.com