Garden Stone: Creative Ideas, Practical Projects and Inspiration for Purely Decorative Uses

From Library Journal
Stone is one of the most beautiful and enduring building materials, and to exploit its qualities one must be aware of a number of specialized techniques. Both Pleasant's and Reed's offerings will allow readers to use stone as a creative material outdoors. These titles are in some ways very similar, showing readers a variety of techniques used to shape and place stones in their yards and providing ideas for creating paths and walls. They diverge in approach and depth Pleasant's title places a greater emphasis on gardening and landscaping details such as plant selection, while Reed's provides much more information on actually building things (and, as one might guess, building with stone is a lot of work). Both titles are well written and beautifully illustrated throughout. Larger collections will want both of these wonderful books, but if libraries are forced to choose only one, then Pleasant's gets the nod because of its wider appeal to both gardeners and builders. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Countering the growing trend toward the overuse, and often incorrect use, of stone in landscape design, Pleasant illustrates the distinction between stone that is simply placed in the garden and stone that is truly of the garden. The former often occurs without reason; the latter exists because it's both necessary and seems utterly natural. Although stone might be seen as an unyielding substance, Pleasant views it as a supremely malleable material, wanting only the creativity of those who recognize its artistic attributes. Truly, no stone has been left unturned in this encyclopedic discourse on the many ways it can enhance a landscape, from captivating pathways to romantic garden walls. Pleasant's enthusiasm is infectious, and her writing poetic and eloquent as she reveals, with the help of Dency Kane's striking color photography, stone's majesty and magic, elevating this most ancient of garden materials into the realm of garden art. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Publisher's Weekly
"Barbara Pleasant combines imaginative ideas and down-to-earth advice in Garden Stone..."

Book Description
GARDEN STONE presents visual inspiration for creative ways to use stone in gardens, coupled with the practical information needed to carry out those ideas in home landscapes. More than 250 full-color photographs by Dency Kane demonstrate how gardeners can exploit the contrasting textures and colors of stone and plants to create all kinds of stone projects, from dramatic focal points to practical garden features. Stone images come from gardens in all parts of North America, celebrating the variety and beauty of stone in different geographic locations. Basic information and clear examples help readers enjoy the magic of working with stone. Projects include patterned stone mosaic walkways, simple meditation gardens, a dry streambed planted with water-conserving plants, a raised herb garden, several rock gardens, a pocket pond, a stone-filled water garden, and stone and water features that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Gardeners will especially appreciate learning how to interplant in stone walls and paths, erect an espalier against a stone wall, grow a moss garden, and create unique stone sculptures.


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Stone is one of the most beautiful and enduring building materials, and to exploit its qualities one must be aware of a number of specialized techniques. Both Pleasant's and Reed's offerings will allow readers to use stone as a creative material outdoors. These titles are in some ways very similar, showing readers a variety of techniques used to shape and place stones in their yards and providing ideas for creating paths and walls. They diverge in approach and depth Pleasant's title places a greater emphasis on gardening and landscaping details such as plant selection, while Reed's provides much more information on actually building things (and, as one might guess, building with stone is a lot of work). Both titles are well written and beautifully illustrated throughout. Larger collections will want both of these wonderful books, but if libraries are forced to choose only one, then Pleasant's gets the nod because of its wider appeal to both gardeners and builders. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.


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