The Garden Design Primer

Barbara Ashmun
Burford Books, 1993
226 pages

This is not a new book, but it is one that I have just discovered, and I'm glad I did. It is definitely not typical of most garden design books. Usually, design books are large and a bit on the flashy side, full of glossy full-color pictures. While these are wonderful for inspiration, they can be a bit daunting in terms of their size and scope. The Garden Design Primer is a small book, with very few photos and a few line drawings. It gives the reader the absolute basics of good design, a solid foundation to plan your landscape around. Ashmun's writing style is clear and friendly, and she does a wonderful job of not only explaining the design process, but also of recommending particular plants for a given situation. As far as I'm concerned, chapters three and four ("Color, Light, Texture, line, and Form" and "Planning") are worth buying the book in and of themselves. Ashmun also has chapters on choosing a theme, entry gardens, borders, structures, containers, and design challenges. It is a book that can be read in a few sittings, giving you a wealth of knowledge in a short amount of time. ITGO