Garden's Gate

Thanks to his frequent appearances on his own gardening TV program, Durie is a familiar face to his fellow Australians. He also owns a landscaping business in Sydney, and this title offers both an introduction to his work and a sourcebook for landscape students, designers, and do-it-yourself homeowners. In language both personal and informative, Durie gives readers a basic overview of his approach to projects before he showcases his work in sections that focus on gardens with special features, such as water gardens and "people-friendly" gardens. A final section highlights Durie's favorite cultural influences (often Asian), followed by lists of his favorite plants. Throughout, he is careful to explain why he favors certain techniques and materials, and he shows a refreshing awareness of modern urban lifestyles. Examples of Durie's design drawings are sometimes poorly reproduced, but the color photographs are stunning. Even with the emphasis on Australian-friendly vegetation, this thoughtful title offers North Americans plenty of inspiration. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.