Architecture in the Garden

The elements of garden architecture — paths, walls, gates, fences, terraces, sheds, lighting, furniture, waterworks, and art — together form the backbone of any well-designed garden. In this beautifully illustrated and accessible book, legendary landscape architect James van Sweden explains how to design and build a garden like a professional. He leads his readers on a tour through some of his most exquisitely designed gardens — in the country, in the city, in the suburbs, and by the shore. "When it comes to planning a comfortable and rewarding garden," van Sweden writes in his Introduction, "the challenges that confront the owner of an estate or a weekend cottage are often substantially the same. The principles and techniques used for organizing a large site work equally well in a more modest setting."

Each case study highlights a particular architectural element, breaking it down into practical ideas that any gardener can apply to his or her own garden or yard. The book includes dozens of detailed schematic drawings that can be used to build many of the elements described by the author, along with an extensive, illustrated glossary. Architecture in the Garden is sure to inspire you with its many practical ideas on how to domesticate your landscape and design an outdoor space that suits your taste as well as your lifestyle.

"A landscape architect in partnership with Wolfgang Oehme for the last 35 years, the Washington D.C.-based van Sweden has a knack for cool, precise prose that matches the carefully planned yet free-feeling pathways that he finds essential to a garden's 'good bones'....[V]an Sweden's calm intelligence shines throughout." Publishers Weekly

"Van Sweden brings readers along on his own creative path, and in doing so, sets up myriad ways of viewing garden architecture. A final section highlights further insights, contained in an array of special architectural features and appealiing possibilities. A sophisticated primer for the budding designer." Alice Joyce, Booklist

Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-258) and index.

The elements of garden architecturepaths, walls, gates, fences, terraces, sheds, lighting, furniture, waterworks, and arttogether form the backbone of any well-designed garden. In this beautifully illustrated and accessible book, legendary landscape architect James van Sweden explains how to design and build a garden like a professional. He leads his readers on a tour through some of his most exquisitely designed gardensin the country, in the city, in the suburbs, and by the shore. “When it comes to planning a comfortable and rewarding garden,” van Sweden writes in his Introduction, “the challenges that confront the owner of an estate or a weekend cottage are often substantially the same. The principles and techniques used for organizing a large site work equally well in a more modest setting.”

Each case study highlights a particular architectural element, breaking it down into practical ideas that any gardener can apply to his or her own garden or yard. The book includes dozens of detailed schematic drawings that can be used to build many of the elements described by the author, along with an extensive, illustrated glossary. Architecture in the Garden is sure to inspire you with its many practical ideas on how to domesticate your landscape and design an outdoor space that suits your taste as well as your lifestyle.

Following training as an architect and landscape architect in the United States and the Netherlands, James van Swedens early practice led to a 1977 partnership with landscape architect and horticulturist Wolfgang Oehme. A revolutionary garden style quickly emerged and continues to flourish.

Mr. van Swedens designs draw attention first to dramatic spectacles of informal planting and then to the practical beauty of architectural “bones” that anchor his gardens to the ground. The gardens underlying architecture is the subject of this book.

By revealing the secrets of his unusual design approach, Mr. van Swedens recent books, Gardening with Water and Gardening with Nature, have inspired professional and amateur gardeners alike. His first book, Bold Romantic Gardens, co-authored with Mr. Oehme, is also considered a classic in the field.

Mr. van Sweden is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and recipient of many distinguished awards. His works are published widely in gardening books and periodicals, and he is a frequent guest on television and radio shows. He lives in Washington, D.C.