As summer wanders off, weary and a little distracted, you might want to curl up on the settee with a mug of tea, a large plate of biscuits and seek gardening inspiration for next year. And, coincidentally, that’s where I can help. I’m giving away a book packed full of design, planning and planting ideas.
Garden Design Solutions: Ideas For Outside Spaces was published yesterday at £25. If the title tickles your fancy, I’ll tell you in a moment how to win a copy but first here’s what the publisher, Jacqui Small, has to say:
“In ‘Garden Design Solutions’ award-winning garden designer Stephen Woodhams (RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden judge and Gold Medal winner) demonstrates how to make the most of any outside space, whether it is an overlooked urban garden, exposed roof terrace or shady courtyard. Drawing on many years of experience creating gardens of all sizes in different climates around the world, Stephen shares his expertise and offers clever designs and ideas for all types of outdoor spaces in a range of styles.
Illustrated with inspiring photographs and plans of some of his practice’s most celebrated projects, ‘Garden Design Solutions’ gives advice on everything from conceiving a theme and planning the space to choosing surfaces and devising a planting scheme. Case studies offer detailed insights into exemplary garden layouts, design choices and planting plans, illustrating smart solutions for accommodating different requirements.
Stephen explains how to assess your space, identify your priorities and decide how to go about making your garden a pleasing extension of your home that you can use and enjoy all year. Key to this is creating a seamless transition between inside and out, and he offers many ideas for forging a sympathetic link between the two spaces. Scale and proportion are useful design tools in small spaces and there are many ways in which they can be employed to give the illusion of greater volume. There is also advice on how to create different zones and points of interest with arches, water features and other garden structures.
The materials you choose make one of the biggest design statements, while how you furnish your outdoor room is an expression of your personal style. Stephen examines different options to help you make the right choices for your garden, whether it’s a low-maintenance space for lounging, an informal zone for family dining, a sophisticated living area for entertaining or a high-tech kitchen for open-air cooking. He also shares his expert knowledge of planting, with ideas and techniques for varied schemes, enabling you to create elegant, interesting and delightful plant combinations that will fill your garden with colour, texture and scent throughout the year.”
If you’d like to enter my draw to win a copy of ‘Garden Design Solutions’ simply:
say so in the “Any Thoughts?” box below
and
(if you don’t do so already) follow ‘The Anxious Gardener’ blog; follow me on Twitter or like The Anxious Gardener Facebook page. Or all three! (The relevant follow buttons are top right of this page).
You can also enter via Twitter or Facebook – check my twitter feed and FB page for details.
Please note that the prize can only be posted to a UK postal address.
The competition will close at midnight on Sunday 11th October 2015.
I’ll draw a name from my shabby hat, contact the winner and add the result to the bottom of this post.
Good luck!
oooOOOooo
You can order a copy of ‘Garden Design Solutions’ at the discounted price of £20.00 including p&p* (RRP: £25.00) by telephoning 01903 828503 or emailing [email protected] and quoting the offer code APG368.
*UK ONLY – Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.
