When we think of the gardens of Southern California, we tend to think of the enormous semiarid landscapes of the Huntington and Rancho Los Alamitos, often built on the sprawling grounds of former ranches. But there is another garden tradition in Southern California: the modest, rectangular suburban plots designed by the most famous architects of mid-century modernism: Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Gregory Ain, Raphael Soriano, Harwell Hamilton Harris, A. Quincy Jones, and John Lautner. These architects saw the garden as an outdoor extension of the space of the houses they designed, rather than a neo-Spanish fantasy to be added later by a "landscapist." Their modern gardens made use of low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants, and made room for informal outdoor living by children and adults with an emphasis on recreation and exercise. The first book of its kind, Private Landscapes profiles twenty significant gardens-and their accompanying houses-by these celebrated architects. Using contemporary photographs by Julius Shulman and newly commissioned color images, along with plans and plant lists, Private Landscapes provides a never-before-seen look at these gardens. As beautiful and practical now as they were 50 years ago, these designs continue to provide inspiration for gardeners and designers everywhere.

Landscape architect Lake Douglas employs written accounts, archival data, historic photographs, lithographs, maps, and city planning documents -- many of which have never been published until now -- to explore public and private outdoor spaces in New Orleans and those who shaped them. Public Spaces, Private Gardens, an informative stroll through the last two hundred years of the designed landscapes and horticultural past of New Orleans, offers a fresh look at the cultural landscape of one of America's most interesting and historic cities.

“Prairie Lands, Private Landscapes: Reframing a Mennonite Childhood" is a stunning and heartfelt tribute to the power of memory and the importance of cultural heritage. In this poignant and evocative book, the author takes us on a journey through his own personal history, sharing with us his struggles and triumphs and his quest for self-discovery and meaning.

Presents the life and work of one of the foremost landscape designers of the early 1900s. Born into a prominent New York family (the niece of Edith Wharton), Farrand eschewed the social life of the Gilded Age to pursue her passion for landscape and plants. Many of her clients were members of the highest society with estates in Newport, the Berkshires, and Maine, but Farrand ultimately became a consultant for university campuses, including Yale and Princeton, and for public gardens, including the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Rose Garden at The New York Botanical Garden. Perhaps her best-known work is Dumbarton Oaks, originally a private residence and now a research institute of Harvard University. Known for broad expanses of lawn with deep swaths of borders in a subtle palette of foliage and flowers, her gardens have been photographed at their peak for this book, and complemented by watercolor wash renderings of her designs.--From publisher description.

Despite a plethora of gardening books today, few show gardens in their entirety, with all the elements and their interrelationships. This elegant and inspirational volume fills the gap, presenting 19 American and English gardens in minute detail through watercolor plans and 400 gorgeous full-color photos.

Publisher Description