What Emily Erlam is reading this month
1/4WABI Inspirations by Axel Vervoordt
A garden is a constant work in progress, and this book on the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi is a wonderful reminder to find beauty in the imperfect. Axel Vervoordt is the master of designing simply and authentically.
2/4Ground Studio Landscapes by Bernard Trainor
California-based garden designer Bernard Trainor is best known for his sustainable and restrained approach to soft landscaping. However, I am particularly inspired by his hard landscape design, which is minimalist yet sympathetic, featuring stone in its most beautiful and natural form.
3/4The Dry Gardening Handbook by Olivier Filippi
I love this as it explains the characteristics of plants that survive in dry environments. It enables us to look at treating plants differently, thinking first about establishing a strong root system using less water and fewer nutrients, which leads to stronger and more resilient plants. Olivier creates stunning compositions, using plants that will survive in non-irrigated situations, while leading a crusade in sustainable planting.
4/4Nicole de Vésian - Gardens: Modern Design in Provence by Louisa Jones
After an illustrious career as a fashion designer in Paris and in New York, Nicole de Vésian retired to Provence in the Eighties. This book focuses on the garden that she created there. It is a study in minimalism – how she manipulated the shape and form of simple plants to create a sense of pace, sculpture and elegance beyond compare.
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