Urban Sanctuaries: Peaceful Havens for the City Gardener - Hardcover

Whether you have little more than a glorified big-city fire escape or a small-town backyard, British garden writer Stephen Anderton claims you can create a peaceful oasis in a hectic environment. The emphasis in Urban Sanctuaries is on the traditional backyard, but Anderton's key concepts will apply to smaller areas as well. The scale of the plantings must be kept in mind. If the area is to be a garden, water and soil supplies must be considered carefully. The pace of movement through the area should be slowed to make it seem larger. And the haven must have a place to sit, which seems obvious, but actual leisure time is often overlooked in the design stage. Copiously illustrated with colour photographs of scores of small gardens and outdoor seating are as, the book features gardens of every persuasion, from spare minimalist retreats to veritable urban jungles. Unfortunately, few of the gardens are identified by geographic location, though many of them look decidedly rural. Eight gardens are displayed in double-page spreads with original plans and initial design considerations are detailed. Anderton also provides a practical listing of 72 plants suitable for small gardens--tough varieties with long growing seasons. --Liana Fredley

A useful, well-written book. -- Chris Young "Garden (Peterborough)" (01/07/2002) The perfect text to peruse any time you need an idea for your garden. -- Joel M. Lerner "Washington Post" (12/08/2001) Stephen Anderton gives us a thoughtful discussion, with excellent illustrative photographs. -- Bobbie Schwartz "Buckeye" (12/04/2001) Provides ideas and stunning examples of the inspired havens being created in backyards and on balconies and rooftops all over the world. Among the many design ideas, you should be able to find some that meet your needs. -- Joanne S. Carpender "National Gardener" (11/07/2001) An idea book with lots of excellent photographic examples on how to get the most of a small urban space. -- George Weigel "Harrisburg Patriot-News" (12/16/2001) This is a jimdandy book. . . . Both landscape architects and designers should find the ideas set forth in this book helpful. -- N. Thomas Strnad "Gardener for the Prairies" (01/09/2003) If you have, or wish to have a garden in the city, study this book so that you will achieve your desire and get it right the first time. -- Marty Figley "Michigan Observer and Eccentric" (01/31/2001) A wonderful resource and treasure trove of ideas for all gardens, be they in the city of the country . . . powerful images and enthusiastic writing. -- Lynette Walther "Palatka Daily News" (08/23/2002) 'Urban Sanctuaries' is helpful for the gardener who yearns for a peaceful haven in the city. Who doesn't? Anderton offers beautiful suggestions on how gardeners might achieve such a place. Read and be calmed. A down-to-earth yet inspiring presentation of alternatives ranging from cutting-edge designs of cool contemporary plots to family-oriented backyards and container gardens that make maximum use of minimum space. I'm always a sucker for beautiful books, and this is one of the loveliest I've seen in quite some time. . . . Anderton's book is a gem, with gorgeous photos of small-space gardening. -- Valerie Easton "Horticulture" (01/10/2002) His writing is clear, concise and practical. Readers of this book will easily be tutored in the planning and successful installation of their own little hideaways, havens from the tensions of city life. -- John Bagnasco "Garden Compass" (01/25/2002) Anderton combines easy-to-follow and fun-to-read writing with a multitude of beautiful color photographs. . . . He makes this guide accessible for both novice and experienced gardeners. -- Carl Ringelheim "American Reference Books Annual" (04/23/2001) A fine book for anyone who wants to reap the visual, fragrant and edible rewards of introducing plantlife into their city home, "Urban Sanctuaries" is a highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic reading lists and reference collections. It is a must-have for the urban gardener or, for that matter, any gardener. The important basics are covered in a fashion that is easy for the beginner to understand and still refreshing for the seasoned gardener. -- Deborah Mills "Ventura County Star" (11/10/2001) This is a jimdandy book on designing and building beautiful gardens in the restricted spaces of small city lots. . . . Both landscape architects and designers should find the ideas set forth in this book very helpful. -- N. Thomas Strnad "Gardener for the Prairies" (12/17/2002) Anderton gets to the soul of garden design by prompting you to think deeply about the pure essence of what you want to accomplish. It helps focus your creativity into actually being able to take your dream garden out of your head and into the landscape. -- Deborah Mills "Ventura County Star" (11/10/2001) I have to rave about this gem and use all those phrases any good English teacher would edit. "Urban Sanctuaries" is something you will keep for a lifetime, bestow upon friends and consult often. The author's spirit, intelligence, creativity, knowledge and depth brand every choice of word and illustration with excellence. . . . [A]n outstanding player in the field of design. Anderton's approach is a down-to-earth yet inspiring presentation of alternatives ranging from cutting-edge designs of cool contemporary plots to family-oriented backyards and container gardens that make maximum use of minimum space...This unique resource for the city dweller should appeal to gardeners of all levels. -- Gary Jennings "Sida, Contributions to Botany" (10/01/2002) Stephen Anderton's seductive new title, "Urban Sanctuaries, Creating peaceful havens for the city gardener," taps into a current trend for urban gardening. His eloquent, enthusiastic support for tailoring an urban garden to suit the needs of its users gives the reader the confidence to create a garden according to his or her own taste. -- Chris Young "Garden (Peterborough)" (01/28/2002)