The Jewel Box Garden
- Book Review,
by Thomas Hobbs, David McDonald (Photographer)
From Booklist
Hobbs, Southlands Nursery owner and plantsman extraordinaire, reigns over Vancouver's horticultural scene and exerts an indubitable presence throughout the Pacific Northwest and points beyond. His passion for daringly vibrant plant pairings blazed brightly in his first book, Shocking Beauty (1999). Now, in a brilliantly produced and gorgeously illustrated new tome, Hobbs holds forth on myriad ideas about garden design. From ornamentation and hardscaping to maximizing small spaces and issues of scale, Hobbs integrates practical observations and advice into an inspirational nexus, laying claim, in effect, to the role of a piper, calling upon gardeners to follow their dreams and tap into creative urges. Along with a message to dream big, green thumbs are encouraged to key in to their beloved plants to glean cultivation requirements; develop a discerning eye; learn about color; and revere any and all elements that form a unique statement of one's personal aesthetic. Vignettes showing Hobbs' spectacular house and its surrounding landscape exemplify a resonant philosophy that transcends gardening to encompass a talent for living life to its fullest. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From Book News, Inc.
In this sequel to Shocking Beauty (1999), garden writer/ nurseryman Hobbs--who views gardening as therapy--offers tips on transforming gardens into bejeweled treasures. Garden photographer David McDonald gives visual form to this philosophy. E.g., in the chapter whimsically titled "Tastes like chicken, " Hobbes focuses on creative use of tender succulents. Lastly, he discusses connecting with one's spirituality and unconscious via plants and garden art. Lacks suggested reading and resources. 10 x 10".Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Valerie Easton, Pacific Northwest Magazine
— it gets my vote for the most beautiful garden book of the year —
Peter Goddard, Helping Inspiration Take Root, Glimpses of Eden in Gardening Books, Toronto Star, 5-22-2004
The shots of blushing leaves and dewy tendrils are as sensually over-the-top as the prose urging intimate involvement...
Book Description
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could describe your garden as a jewel box full of beautiful plant treasures? In this sequel to the bestselling Shocking Beauty, garden impresario Thomas Hobbs shows you how. The Jewel Box Garden is a luscious, full-colour book that features 160 new and startling photos by renowned garden photographer David McDonald. In 12 chapters with titles such as "Gilding The Lily" and "Thinking Like a Plant," Hobbs explains his philosophy of gardening and life, or as he puts it, "Life As We Dream It Could Be." In his own provocative and highly original way, he encourages gardeners to tap into their creativity and invest their heart and soul in creating oases of beauty --- intimate spaces where they can escape the pressures of modern life.
About the Author
Thomas Hobbs was "born obsessed with plants" and had his first greenhouse at age six. He has gone on to become an internationally known impresario of garden and floral design. He runs Southlands Nursery in Vancouver, Canada, and his private garden has been featured in many prominent magazines, including Horticulture, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens and Garden Design. Tom has a weekly TV show, has been featured on Martha Stewart Living, and gives popular lectures across North America on inspirational garden design. His first book was the acclaimed bestseller Shocking Beauty.
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