The Thoughtful Gardener

“A detailed and richly illustrated account of how one of the UK’s leading practitioners approaches the art of garden design.” —Gardens Illustrated

Prolific designer Jinny Blom embraces a wide variety of styles, from large garden spaces to formal walled gardens and contemporary installations. What defines her work is her skill with plants and her ability to create a garden that responds to the history of the site and the wider landscape. The gardens Jinny creates are as different as their owners and their locations.

In this book, Jinny shares her insight into the creative process she has developed while designing more than 250 gardens around the world. The Thoughtful Gardener contains modern takes on traditional forms, and is split into six sections: seeing, understanding, structuring, harmonizing, rooting, and liberating.

All of Jinny’s gardens share a commitment to beautiful craftsmanship and considered planting. Structure and detail are important, and receive close attention. The styles vary considerably—logical, calm, beautiful, romantic, naturalistic, formal, sometimes spare—but the principles remain firm. Jinny designs for the long term, with consideration for the environment; these gardens are built to last.

Reflecting Jinny’s highly individual character, there is plenty of wit and quirkiness alongside the expert knowledge, and it will appeal to the widest audience of garden lovers. Thoughtful and beautiful, yet practical and informative, this book marries artistry with functionality.

Praise for The Thoughtful Gardener

“The most romantic, creative person in garden design I know.” —Piet Oudolf

“Jinny’s genius is to marry a beautiful vision to an extraordinary empathy with the landscape into which that vision will fit, resulting in a pastoral harmony second to none.” —Victoria, Lady Getty

“The Thoughtful Gardener, at once a lavishly illustrated coffee-table tome and a friendly hands-on primer, offers a glimpse into some of the most magical gardens in the world.” —Architectural Digest

“Landscaper Jinny Blom’s long-awaited book is so beautiful that you will not want to rush it. As the title suggests, there is more to this than lovely photography: the pages of The Thoughtful Gardener will stop you in your tracks and make you think about the potential of gardens, in a way that has never struck you before.” —Gardenista