In Harmony With Nature: Lessons from the Arts and Crafts Garden

Rick Darke has produced a beautiful book. "Arts and Crafts" gardens appeared along with craftsman-type architecture and furniture in the latter 1800s. Some of the great UK and US gardens are examples and Jekyl, Luytens and Wright are a few recognizable practitioners of the style. The concept is to link the garden to the associated buildings in a manner consistent with the locale. Yes, that is a mouthful, but it is one worth chewing-on a bit if you've tired of the typical garden and the now-trite garden book. Although perhaps easiest to envision at a large estate, the principles presented are easily adapted to smaller gardens and I have found it helpful to have a philosophy to undergird my planning and planting. Darke writes clearly and well, presenting his thesis in an enjoyable way. His numerous photographs are gorgeous, well-reproduced and inspiring in a horticultural sense. This is a very worthwhile book at a very fair price.

Rick Darke brings into perspective the history and philosphy of the arts and crafts garden, while assuming you are familar with the movement itself. He does offer practical suggestions of what would be appropriate in an arts and crafts garden without telling one how to create it. Offering many photos of gardens desinged by several well known historical garden architects including Gertrude Jekyll. Though not an instructional book, it brought me a better understanding in creating the true historical garden that I am looking for, and an even better understanding of what it means. I would recommend this to any true arts & crafts believer.