Frederick Law Olmsted and others saw the landscape as it was and enhanced it, instead of imposing rigid design upon it. Groundbreaking landscape architects Beatrix Farrand and Fletcher Steele, among others, were brought to Maine by patrons, and the resulting public parks, campuses, institutional grounds, and private estates remain a priceless legacy. Drawn from a 10-year survey conducted by the Maine Olmsted Alliance, this book showcases those landscapes and celebrates their history and legacy.

Since it’s grand opening in June 2007, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay has become one of Maine’s most popular attractions and one the most distinguished botanical destinations in the country. “Wow!” is the word most often heard from visitors who explore the exquisite gardens, stunning stonework, exceptional natural landscapes, waterfalls, and sculptures. The goal of the Gardens is to preserve the botanical heritage and natural landscapes of coastal Maine. Comprising nearly 250 acres, with numerous themed gardens—including the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, The Giles Rhododendron and Perennial Garden, and the Burpee Kitchen Garden—miles of trails, and a rich variety of events year-round, the Gardens has something for everyone. Celebrating the Fifth Anniversary of the Maine Botanical Gardens, and honoring the sixteen years of planning and construction that went into them, this book is an inspiring tribute to thisparadise on the Maine coast. Bursting with vivid color photographs, information about the Gardens, and a pinch of practical advice for gardeners, it makes a wonderful keepsake or a great gift to inspire others to visit the Gardens.

In this series, homeowners will find inspiring ideas for making the home landscape more attractive and functional. Created by landscape professionals in each region, each book contains between 48 and 54 designs with more than 200 plants that are proven performers. Provides detailed instructions for projects such as paths, patios, ponds, and arbors. 170 color photos and 260 full-color illustrations. US: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT SE Canada: NB, NS, ONT, PEI, QUE

There are several good reasons why savvy gardeners cherish native plants in their landscapes. In this book, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens executive director Maureen Heffernan provides information and inspiration for gardeners about how to choose the best plants for a variety of locations and provides tips on how to cope with challenging conditions. Heffernan discusses flowering perennials, foliage plants, grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees, and she provides sample garden plans designed by experts.

The intimate Monk's Garden at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston embodies the design principles that inform the work of noted landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. In Designing a Garden, Van Valkenburgh presents the design of the Monk's Garden at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, an intimate, walled garden that Laurie Olin has described as "a masterpiece, and not a minor one." The book documents the evolution of the garden's design, which is based on the concept of meandering paths through a dreamlike woodland to create a contemplative space. Sketches and models show how the idea was worked out, and lush photographs reveal the completed garden through the seasons. Van Valkenburgh's text explores the origins of his love of landscape and plants in his family farm in Upstate New York and how this has influenced his intuitions as a designer. He shares the full background story of the Monk's Garden, focusing on the experimental nature of design work as well as the challenges and satisfactions of the small scale and the historic and cultural context. Designing a Garden provides a unique first-person account of the design process from the most prominent landscape architects in the country.