P. Allen Smith's Garden Home

Horticulture pro Smith has positioned himself as the go-to guy for gardens, from front yard flowers and fountain gardens to vegetable patches and loggias. In his first book, he shares his preferences and personal gardening history, and lays out basic design principles for anyone dreaming of their own Eden. Although the beautiful photographs can be intimidating--they feature perfectly trimmed hedges and trellises overflowing with roses--he reminds readers that if they""have a dream and the passion to create it"" they're on the right track. His 12 fundamentals, including""enclosure,""""shape and form,""""framing the view"" and""entry,"" provide a basis for would-be gardeners. Roughly one half of the book is filled with big, glossy photos, while the latter portion is a bit more detail-oriented. This useful section includes tips on how to express your interests (e.g., if you like to travel, think about creating a theme garden based on Japanese or Italian design) and decide between formal and informal looks. Although not really a how-to guide, Smith's book should help aspiring gardeners as they brainstorm ideas.