Hillside Gardening: Evaluating the Site, Designing Views, Planting Slopes

Douglas's earlier books and numerous articles on horticulture have earned the landscape architect a considerable reputation as adviser to gardeners. He embraces here the study of historic and modern gardens that cling to hillsides in several areas of the world. He describes the astonishing gardening feats of the ancient Sumerians, Greeks and Romans, and of Beatrix Jones Farrand, who designed Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., in the 20th century. Dazzling color photographs, principally by Derek Fell, portray some 100 European and American gardens, as well as the classic Macchu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes. Following Douglas's suggestions, readers may achieve results like those in the more modest storied edens depicted. Stressing the special requisites of hillside gardens, the author tells how to evaluate and plan cultivation of a sloping site with considerations of climate, wind velocity, native vegetation, etc. (March 17)