Natural Garden Style: Gardening Inspired by Nature

What is natural? How can a garden not be natural or is it even possible a garden can ever really be natural? These somewhat philosophical questions lurk behind much of No?l Kingsbury's new book, Natural Garden Style: Gardening Inspired by Nature (Merrell, 2009).

In a world dominated by urban development and sprawl, a return to nature is increasingly the goal and inspiration for gardeners.

Sustainability and biodiversity, currently high on the world's agenda, are important aspects of natural-style gardening.

In this new book, gardening expert No?l Kingsbury considers a variety of approaches to making gardens that celebrate nature.

Kingsbury discusses what is meant by the natural look and allows the many photographs by Nicola Browne to provide visual clues on how to achieve it.

Organized into thematic chapters like 'Prairies and Borders' or 'Sun and Stone,' the text provides some interesting specifics while the photographs provide the inspiration and model.

The last chapter, Creating and Maintaining, could and should be expanded well beyond its four brief pages, although many of the previous chapters have provided myriad plants suggestions (both common and Latin names), grouping and combination tips.

Kingsbury's book is not a straightforward "How To Create a Natural Garden" manual and more than occasionally dips into philosophical and ethical discussions of modern agricultural practices and the move to native plants.

Similarly, the list of gardens to visit could be expanded beyond the single page's recommendations ranging from the UK, Netherlands, Germany and the US.

New Englander gardeners will not be surprised to see Massachusetts Garden in the Woods recommended highly.

Piet Oudolf, the Dutch designer, is mentioned frequently throughout. Oudolf's Lurie Garden, part of Chicago's Millennium Park, is not to be missed for its stunning mix of native species of the American Midwest with conventional perennials.

While "Natural Garden Style" is not pitched to the first time gardener looking for help, the book's philosophical and ethical treatment of the subject would make many gardeners, designers and concerned citizens happy.