RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design: Planning, Building and Planting by Chris Young

Unlock the potential of every outdoor space with the RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design: Planning, Building and Planting Your Perfect Outdoor Space. This BRAND NEW hardcover guide is ideal for homeowners, garden design students, teachers, and gifting enthusiasts who want practical, actionable advice alongside stunning inspiration. Supervised by the Royal Horticultural Society and crafted by an award-winning team, it blends concept with technique to help you conceive, plan, build, and plant a garden you’ll love for years to come.

Comprehensive design guidance

This fully revised edition pairs extensive design inspiration with clear, step-by-step garden techniques. Learn how to assess your site, understand sun and soil, and translate ideas into detailed plans. The book offers practical guidance on creating usable spaces, from seating nooks to productive borders, with crisp explanations that demystify the design process for beginners while still rewarding experienced gardeners seeking a fresh perspective. A visual directory of plants and materials makes selecting elements straightforward, so you can see how different choices influence the overall look and feel of your garden.

Styles, ideas, and detailed planning

Explore a diverse range of garden styles—from modernist and sustainable to Japanese, urban, family-friendly, and cottage gardens. The guide identifies the key elements that define each look, helping you recreate a convincing style in your own outdoor space. It also showcases 12 insightful case studies of RHS award-winning show gardens, each analysed through double-page photographs to reveal design decisions in context. Whether you’re designing a small urban plot or a expansive country retreat, you’ll find ideas you can adapt to your space and budget.

A standout feature is the visual dictionary and coverage of the latest gardening trends, delivering a trusted reference that pairs beauty with function. This book is not only a source of inspiration but a practical toolkit for a full garden makeover or a targeted revamp, making it a valuable addition to any book collection or classroom resource for budding designers.

About the author and authority

Chris Young is a renowned landscape designer and gardens consultant to Burghley House, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Gloucestershire. In 2022, he contributed to the Gold Medal-winning Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, supporting the design process from concept to execution. Formerly Editor of the Garden Design Journal and Head of Editorial at the Royal Horticultural Society, he brings authoritative, real-world experience to this encyclopedic guide.

Format: Hardcover • ISBN: 9780241286135 • Condition: BRAND NEW

Key benefits

• Clear, accessible design process from concept to finishing touches
• Step-by-step guidance on garden structures and planting techniques
• Inspiration across modernist, sustainable, Japanese, urban, family, and cottage styles
• 12 RHS award-winning show garden case studies with in-context photography
• Comprehensive visual dictionary of plants and materials
• Up-to-date gardening trends and practical makeover strategies

Whether you’re a parent helping a budding gardener, a teacher incorporating design into a curriculum, or a garden lover building a personal retreat, this encyclopedia is a timeless resource. It’s the perfect gift for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, a dependable reference for classroom learning, and a cherished addition to any garden design book collection.