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27 Books Every Landscape Designer Should Read

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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. 

 

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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.
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The 27 Books

Remember, this is the starting list.

They are listed in no particular order of preference or importance.

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.
  1. Gardens are for People, by Thomas Church
  2. Natural Pattern Forms, by Richard Dube'
  3. The Zen of Seeing, by Frederick Franck
  4. The Tao of Architecture, by Amos Ih Tiao Chang
  5. Space and Illusion, by Teiji Itoh
  6. Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens, by David Slawson
  7. Siftings, by Jans Jensen
  8. Isamu Noguchi "Space of Akari & Stone, Chronicle Books
  9. In the Company of Stone, by Dan Snow
  10. Drawing and Designing with Confidence, by Mike Lin

    Think about taking a class with Mike or his son Brian, well worth your time.
  11. The Inward Gardener, by Julie Messervy

    Her lectures are very informative, and worth your time.
  12. Designing with Plants, by Piet Oudolf
  13. The Landscape of Man, by Geoffery and Susan Jellicoe
  14. Creative Gardens, by James Rose

    Anything you can find written by Mr. Rose is worth reading.
  15. Residential Landscape Architecture, by Booth and Hiss

    This book is "the textbook".
  16. Architecture in the Garden, by James Van Sweden
  17. Gardens by Design, by Noel Kingsbury
  18. Planting the Natural Garden, by Piet Oudolf
  19. Introduction to the Study of Landscape Design, by Hubbard and Kimball
  20. Noguchi "East and West, by Dore Ashton
  21. The Golden Bough, by Sir James George Frazier
  22. As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen
  23. Who moved my Cheese, by Spencer Johnson
  24. 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.
  25. The Native Plant Primer, by Carole Ottesen
  26. Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing, by Frederick Franck
  27. From Concept to From in Landscape Design, by Grant Reid

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Links to other Whispering Crane Institute sites.

These will let you find it all about the WCI

Blog, Static web-site, Images stored, pretty much says it all. Other Squidoo sites.
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.

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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 some... more »

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