Designer Plants - Tapa dura

A slightly misleading title for a book about "punctuation mark" plants. Not plants used by designers in particular but plants that turn a garden into a cohesive whole, plants that break up but at the time unite other elements of a garden. Garden writer and photographer Sunniva Harte examines these plants in all their different modes: spiky agaves, silver artemesias, gentle grasses, columnar cactus. Accent plants, drawing interest, adding impact or softening, depending on the need. And not just plants, sculpture too, made of materials such as of wood, metal and organic willow, showing their importance in overall garden design. The author looks at a range of garden styles discussing the architectural merits of Italian cypresses, Mediterranean citrus trees, tropical cannas, cottage garden kniphofias and Japanese cloud trees. It is clearly shown that a border of massed green foliage, all the same shade and form can turn into an amorphous green mass. The addition of standards, variegated plants or contrasting leaf forms adds excitement, structure and form. Leading the eye from one focal point to the next, they take the viewer round the garden, inspiring further wandering. Sumptuously photographed with plenty of novel planting ideas, the illustrations alone will inspire. The only failing is Sunniva's fondness for tender architectural plants without warnings or advice on over-wintering. But for people looking to add excitement to their garden or wanting to pull a design together, this book will surely assist. - Lucy Watson

This text assumes no prior knowledge of garden design or plant cultivation and looks at ways of bringing shape, style and life into the garden, covering plants and sculptures. A directory gives care instructions for all the plants mentioned.