27 Books that have made me a better Landscape Designer
This is my partial book list that I think every Professional Landscape designer should have/read:
This is only a partial list of my library. The 27 I have suggested in this list have truly made a difference in my professional career. I know that I am missing a few from this list(more likely it should be 32-35) and when I figure out which ones, I will post those.
Props to Victoria Scott at Mississippi State for prompting me to write this list. I hope it will be as helpful to you and all other students who want to enter such a great field has they have (and will continue to be) for me.
Have something you think I should read, or a comment on the above list, let me know . . .
Is it the list for every LD, no? Various styles, influences, regions of the country(or World) may lead you down a different path.
Contents at a Glance
The Whispering Crane Institute
"The Knowledges is Given to the Crane from Above".
5 of 27
Gardens Are For People, Third edition
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 11/29/2009) 
Natural Pattern Forms: A Practical Sourcebook for Landscape Design
Amazon Price: $69.13 (as of 11/29/2009)
Zen of Seeing: Seeing/Drawing as Meditation
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/29/2009)
The Tao of Architecture
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/29/2009)
The Whispering Crane Institute Blog
Where it gets posted 1st . . . on the WCI Blog
My hope is to use this site to spread some info about the art and practice of Landscape Design. It is a very misunderstood profession; I do not cut grass like the next door neighbor's cousin who carries 3 mowers and a blower in the back of his truck. I will also pass along comments on industry happenings, events, etc., and any maybe a few other adventures going on in my world-after all this is "my" blog.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by5 of 27
The Inward Garden: Creating a Place of Beauty and Meaning
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 11/29/2009)
Designing with Plants
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
The Landscape of Man: Shaping the Environment from Prehistory to the Present Day
Amazon Price: $23.72 (as of 11/29/2009)
Creative gardens
Definitely out of print, old bookstore or maybe E-bay, definitely worth finding.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
Residential Landscape Architecture (5th Edition)
Coming out just recently, some consider it the textbook.
Amazon Price: $84.20 (as of 11/29/2009)
The 27 Books
Remember, this is the starting list.
Nor are they listed as favorites, or in the order that I had originally read these 27 books. no way do I remember the order of reading.
Do I now have a suggestion in order? . . . . No, pick whatever suits your fancy and go from there. All I can say is that I have pulled something from each and every one and I am a better landscape designer for it.
- Gardens are for People, by Thomas Church
- Natural Pattern Forms, by Richard Dube'
- The Zen of Seeing, by Frederick Franck
- The Tao of Architecture, by Amos Ih Tiao Chang
- Space and Illusion, by Teiji Itoh
- Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens, by David Slawson
- Siftings, by Jans Jensen
- Isamu Noguchi "Space of Akari & Stone, Chronicle Books
- In the Company of Stone, by Dan Snow
- Drawing and Designing with Confidence, by Mike Lin
Think about taking a class with Mike or his son Brian, well worth your time. - The Inward Gardener, by Julie Messervy
Her lectures are very informative, and worth your time. - Designing with Plants, by Piet Oudolf
- The Landscape of Man, by Geoffery and Susan Jellicoe
- Creative Gardens, by James Rose
Anything you can find written by Mr. Rose is worth reading. - Residential Landscape Architecture, by Booth and Hiss
This book is "the textbook". - Architecture in the Garden, by James Van Sweden
- Gardens by Design, by Noel Kingsbury
- Planting the Natural Garden, by Piet Oudolf
- Introduction to the Study of Landscape Design, by Hubbard and Kimball
- Noguchi "East and West, by Dore Ashton
- The Golden Bough, by Sir James George Frazier
- As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen
- Who moved my Cheese, by Spencer Johnson
- Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, by Mike Dirr
This is the bible when it comes to Woody's, probably will always be the bible. Every answer is here. Maybe the best reference book ever written in horticulture. - The Native Plant Primer, by Carole Ottesen
- Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing, by Frederick Franck
- From Concept to From in Landscape Design, by Grant Reid
5 of 27
Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens: Design Principles, Aesthetic Values
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/29/2009)
Siftings (American Land Classics)
Amazon Price: $23.00 (as of 11/29/2009)
Isamu Noguchi Space of Akari & Stone
Probably out of print, mostly images of great Noguchi work.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
In the Company of Stone : The Art of the Stone Wall
Dan's book should still be in print, or available
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
Drawing and Designing with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide
Amazon Price: $44.07 (as of 11/29/2009)
5 of 27
Architecture in the Garden
Amazon Price: $32.85 (as of 11/29/2009)
Gardens by Design
Amazon Price: $25.51 (as of 11/29/2009)
Planting the Natural Garden
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
An Introduction to the Study of Landscape Design
Definitely out of print written around 1910.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
Noguchi East and West
Amazon Price: $25.95 (as of 11/29/2009)
Links to other Whispering Crane Institute sites.
These will let you find it all about the WCI
- The Blog
- Constant updates, case-studies, and other industry happenings.
- The static web-site
- The traditional (sort-of) stuff, that you would see in other pages of this type. Except my work is a little different.
Projects and graphics - Images on Fotki
- Images separated by jobs, and the graphics that go with the work. Lots of graphics, a lot. Plus before and afters when I was able to do so.
5 out of 27
The Golden Bough. A Study in Magic and Religion (1 Volume, Abridged Edition)
I'm surprised Amazon didn't show this in print.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
As a Man Thinketh (The Tarcher Family Inspirational Library)
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/29/2009)
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
Amazon Price: $48.28 (as of 11/29/2009)
The Native Plant Primer: Trees, Shrubs, and Wildflowers for Natural Gardens
Amazon Price: $36.50 (as of 11/29/2009)
2 of 27
Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing: Meditation in Action
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
From Concept to Form: In Landscape Design
Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2009)
by rickanderson
I am a Professional Landscape Designer, Writer, Lecturer, Teacher, Speaker and "mover of boulders". I mainly work in residential design, though I do s...
(more)Explore related pages
Drought Tolerant Plants for Low Water Landscapes- When most people think xeriscaping - the use of drought-tolerant, low water-use...
Growing Roses Showcase- Is there any flower more sensuous and romantic than the rose? Videos all about...
Xeriscaping- Xeriscaping is the practice of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants....
Landscape Design- This is not about cutting grass, or fertilizer (though some may say&n...
Landscaping Ideas- You have your whole yard to fill up beautifully with mulch, gravel, lighting, st...
Armchair gardening - gardening books- Even the most dedicated gardener can't spend 24 hours a day pottering outside in...
