A Gardener's Log

by Edna Walling

"A Gardener's Log", first published in 1948, is a collection of Edna Walling's articles from the magazine "Australian Home Beautiful". Described by Walling as "the notebook of a garden-maker", it has the intimacy of a diary and the authority of a practical landscaping text. Well over half a century laterm "A Gardener's Log" - here deliciously redesigned while retaining the appeal of Walling's original photographs and plans - still has much to teach us.

Genres: Gardening

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Edna Walling was one of Australia's most influential landscape designers. Walling's distinctive gardens, her exquisite garden plans and her evocative writings have given her enduring and iconic status amongst gardeners, landscape designers and architects.

Reviews

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely collection of personal notes (from magazine columns) sharing Walling’s thoughts on creating the kind of garden you can relax in. As opposed to the kind where you always have to be up to something to keep it in order.

I’m not sure what she considers a small garden, but you can make one with a tree, a dozen smaller shrubs and somewhere to sit. Throw in a small pool, some rocks and a bunch of self-seeders and you’ve got yourself a garden!

Includes some plant recommendations and loads of photos too, though the book is more seasonal reflections than landscaping guide.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed finding my own garden favourites noted by Edna; and her ingenuity and passion for gardens and the Australian experience. She provides a great 'recipe' for making natural-looking paving stones!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edna Walling was a rather eccentric gardener of the old school; Australian, but with an English sensibility from her country of birth. This collection of her articles and photographs for an Australian women's journal is fascinating, educational and I found it a delight to read. A word of caution, the reader must also be a gardener, for Edna does not dumb down her observations and snippets of advice. We are expected to know and use the correct nomenclature of the plants we grow.

There were some real gems in here and I have no doubt I will pick it up and browse regularly when looking for landscape design inspiration. She tends towards designs that are inspired by nature, often uses Australian natives, but not to the exclusion of exotics. A planting of trees in a straight line would be an anathema to her. And do not even consider bordering your garden beds with a row of stones. Weathered stones must be placed individually to create the appearance of a natural formation. Formality and structure are created by the structural elements of the garden. Plants must work within this to create a more organic, natural effect.