The Intimate Garden: Twenty Years and Four Seasons in Our Garden

By Mary Hayward and Gordon Hayward

Book Overview

Garden and landscape designer Gordon Hayward and his wife, Mary, take the measure of their home garden--in process for more than twenty years--and tell readers how to make their own gardens welcoming and personal, truly a reflection of their needs and dreams. As the Haywards point out, "successful gardens grow naturally out of their owners; great garden design is honest, authentic, and unself-conscious." Gordon explains how aspects of his and Mary's lives are woven into their garden, but also how those aspects remain firmly fixed in universal design principles that apply to every garden. With the practical advice and achievable aims that make his other books so rewarding, Hayward lets readers in on the secrets that make his garden outstanding. Almost 200 stunning photographs specially commissioned for the book show key garden views in all four seasons, giving readers a rare look at a year in a garden. Before-and-after shots, detailed garden maps, and plant lists are included.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039305893X
• ISBN13: 9780393058932
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 2.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.7" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Inspirational gardening book

I considered myself a pretty avid gardener, until I picked up this book. Gordon and Mary Hayward would laugh at my paltry little beds! There are two important things about this book they've written, 1. It inspires you to think creatively about your outdoor spaces and 2. It inspires you to work harder to achieve truly intimate and lovely outdoor rooms for many to enjoy. I will never spend 30 hours a week, like they do, on my gardens, but this book has encouraged me to greater things.

An intimate view of garden design

This excellent book allows the reader to get inside the head of a great garden designer. It follows the design problems and solutions the Haywards thought out over 20 years in their Vermont garden. It's full of ideas of how to add structure, vistas, destinations, and emotions to any garden design.