Ornament in the Small Garden - Tapa dura

Whether practical or purely decorative, ornament is the most immediate way of bringing distinctive character to a small garden, and the very stylish Roy Strong is the ideal guide to the world of garden ornament. In this inspiring book, he shows how to consider size and scale, materials, shape, color and texture, and, crucially, he offers invaluable advice on placing ornament in the garden to best effect.

Ornament can provide an accent, create a surprise, enhance or disguise an existing feature, alter a perspective, evoke or complement a mood or feeling. It transforms the mundane and ordinary into something different and special, and makes a statement that reflects the gardener's taste and personality. Choosing from the huge range of available ornament, however, or creating your own individual piece, can seem daunting.

Superbly illustrated and including in-depth studies of 12 small gardens where ornament is used with particular success, and often with daring originality, Ornament in the Small Garden breaks free from convention and demonstrates the inspirational decorative possibilities.

Sir Roy Strong is a well known historian and garden writer, lecturer, columnist, critic and regular contributor to both radio and television. He was director of England's National Portrait Gallery from 1967 to 1973 and director of the Victoria & Albert Museum from 1974 to 1987. He is also an enthusiastic gardener who has designed gardens for Elton John and Gianni Versace and contributed designs to the Prince of Wales's garden at Highgrove. His many books include Creating Small Gardens, Creating Small Formal Gardens, The Artist and the Garden, Royal Gardens and Garden Party.

What the critics said about Garden Party by Roy Strong

"His persona on the page is as large as life. This collection of witty stories about gardens and gardening amounts to the sort of conversation most people would love to join in."
-- BBC Gardeners'World

"Sir Roy writes with candour in a style that is intimate and accessible, and his ideas are imbued with energy and erudition."
-- Times Literary Supplement