A list of gardening books to help you create your dream garden at the fancifulgardener.com

To help you to create the garden of your dreams, we have compiled a list of books and articles that will not only give you practical advice, but will also inspire you and stir your imagination. We hope you enjoy them!

Practical Guide To Container Gardening by Susan Berry and Steve Bradley. Storey Publishing. 160 pp. Comprehensive information on planting techniques, care, and maintenance of container planting. Has an illustrated A-Z directory of more than 100 plant species.

Outdoor Water Features by Alan and Gill Bridgewater. Storey Publishing. 128 pp.

Outdoor Stonework by Alan and Gill Bridgewater. Storey Publishing. 128 pp.

Waterscaping - Plants and Ideas For Natural and Created Water Gardens by Judy Glattstein, Storey Publishing. 192 pp. Advice for using more than 400 water-appropriate plants, including ferns, grasses, sedges, and rushes near your water features.

Deckscaping- Gardening and Landscaping On or Around Your Deck by Barbara W. Ellis. Storey Publishing. 176 pp. How to transform your deck from a flat space to a private expansion of your living space. Trellises, lighting, and furniture are covered in text, illustrations, and photographs.

Stonescaping- A Guide To Using Stone In Your Garden by Jan Kowalczewski Whitner. Storey Publishing. 168 pp. Practical and detailed instructions for adding stone to any home. Includes garden designs.

The Well-Designed Mixed Garden - Building Beds and Borders With Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs by Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Timber Press, 2003. 460 pp. Evaluation, color theory and planning for maintenace of perennials.

The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer by Stephen Cohen and Nancy J. Ondra. Storey Publishing. 320 pp. Learn how to create stunning perennial gardens using basic design principles for arranging plants in pleasing and practical ways. Plans for 20 gardens.

Designing Your Gardens and Landscapes by Janet Macunovich. Storey Publishing. 176 pp. Practical 12-step approach to landscape design, particuarly useful for new homeowners or first-time landscapers. Good for any region.

The Essential Garden Design Workbook by Rosemary Alexander. Timber Press 2006. 292 pp. Guides you through every stage of designing a garden. Hundreds of self-explanatory and quick-reference diagrams.

The Garden Maker's Manual by Rosemary Alexander. Timber Press 2005. 192 pp. Written by experts at The English Gardening School, this manual covers all aspects of hard landscaping and structures.

The Jewel Box Garden by Thomas Hobbs. Timber Press 2004. 176pp.Very original ideas and beautiful photography. This book encourages gardeners to be creative and put their souls into creating restful garden spaces.

Gardening at the Shore by Frances Tenenbaum. Timber Press, 2006. 176pp. For gardeners on the East or West Coast. This is a practical book to help you add color and greenery to your patch of sun and sand.

Gardening on Pavement, Tables, and Hard Surfaces by George Schenk. Timber Press, 2006. 192 pp. How to plants a garden on a hard surface with just a few inches of soil. Step-by-step instructions and plant lists.

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