RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design: Be Inspired to Plan, Build, and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space

by Chris Young (Editor), Royal Horticultural Society

Do you long to create the garden of your dreams? Turn ideas into reality with this brand new edition of the classic design bible.

Whatever the size of your garden space, and whether starting with a blank canvas or renewing an existing garden, this in-depth manual offers fresh, achievable ideas.

Produced to the Royal Horticultural Society gold standard by a team of award-winning garden designers, this book will guide you through every stage of the creative and practical process. Learn you to visualize your ideas, develop plans, plot out, build and landscape, select the right plants, and apply the finishing touches to make your garden the ideal reflection of your tastes and creativity.

With a refreshed look and extensive new content reflecting current trends, including wildlife-friendly and sustainable practices, this 5th edition of the RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design combines style with substance and responsibility to help transform your outdoor space.

Genres: Gardening, Horticulture, Reference, Nonfiction, Landscaping, Design

392 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 2009

About the author

Chris Young is one of the leading publishers and content creators in the gardening and horticultural industry.

For the past 25 years he’s been in the gardening media world, firstly as editor of Garden Design Journal and latterly as both editor of RHS's The Garden and Head of Editorial for the RHS – overseeing books, magazines, podcasts, websites and specialist publishing.

He has written two books – RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design (DK) and Take Chelsea Home (Mitchell Beazley) – as well as a substantial number of articles on garden design for publications like Gardens Illustrated.

CY Gardens is a multidisciplinary gardens consultancy business which specializes in content creation, landscape design and planning, and business mentoring.

Since 2020 Chris has been Consultant Gardening Publisher for DK Books (Dorling Kindersley), acquiring the leading names in the gardening world to write for the UK’s number one gardening book publisher.

Having originally trained in landscape architecture, he undertakes private garden and landscape design for clients all over the country. He lives in Northamptonshire with his family, dogs and self-made swimming pond. Chris’ love of the subject, interest in business, and the ability to communicate to different audiences is something he undertakes with passion and commitment.

Reviews

[Birdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything published by DK has great appeal visually, and this book is no exception. Chapters include choosing a style for your garden, step-by-step instructions for building structures, planting techniques, and finding the perfect plant for any situation. Well indexed and beautifully illustrated.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very comprehensive for all facets of a desiging outdoor gardens and living areas. It was too overwhelming and is almost for the professional or someone that "really" loves the planning element.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightfully comprehensive volume. Definitely worth referencing for garden projects of all sorts!

[Muhammad Gibran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the photo, love the explanation. great book for common people or someone that just start learning about gardening and landscape

[R. R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

[Ruth Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clear in typical DK fashion but quite repetitive and no reference to front gardens.

[Ellie Book Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of useful information for the beginner garden designer.