Written by one of Australia’s foremost and most innovative landscape designers, it sets a new standard for Australian design. Not since Glen Wilson’s seminal work, now out of print for two decades, has there been such a clear and fresh analysis of the particular beauty of our native flora and the challenge of landscape in this dry, brown land.

The first section of the book covers the components of garden design, discussing aspects such as space, light, earth form, water, built structures, and the role of vegetation and maintenance of the garden.

The second section looks at planting design: the choice of plants, shape and colour variables that best suit particular designs, fragrance, and whether it is more appropriate to plant trees or shrubs. Paul Thompson guides the reader through the process of visualising a garden design to putting it down on paper and calculating numbers of plants required.