'John Brookes, "the man who made the modern garden", is even today the most inspired and inspiring teacher of garden design.' - Cleve West
"The collection of essays, articles and lectures gathered in How to Design a Garden are simple and instructive whilst also illustrating Brookes' way of thinking, characterised by great care and wisdom offset by a witty lack of beating about the bush...Practical, insightful and innovative, Brookes' reflections as set down in this anthology are enduringly sharp - an essential book to have in your garden library."
* rakesprogress magazine *
"A fascinating study of John Brookes' method of working. There is a great deal of common sense and inspiration...whether you are a garden owner starting out or a seasoned practitioner seeking further inspiration, there is every reason to read it."
-- David Stevens FSGD * Garden Design Journal *
"Many will treasure this book and value John's design advice and philosophy which remains completely relevant and forward looking today."
-- Reckless Gardener
"For those wishing to know more about how to design gardens, including their own, this inexpensive softback will act as mentor and guide."
-- Ian Hodgson * Garden News *
"The late John Brookes was one of the greatest 20th-century British garden designers and teachers. [This] is a collection of some of his best writings and lectures, lest we forget what a witty, opinionated, clever man he was, with an acute eye for topography and the local vernacular, and an unsnobbish sympathy for ordinary gardeners with small gardens. All these virtues are present in horticultural spades in this anthology."
-- Ursula Buchan * Spectator Best Gardening Books of 2021 *
"Portmanteau collection of writings, some previously unpublished, by the great modernist space-maker."
* Sunday Telegraph Gardening Books of the Year *
"...reads as if garden designer John Brookes, who died in 2018, is sitting next to you talking...The essence of the book is a collection of writing, lectures, articles and thoughts that John had penned over more than 50 years. Brought together by Gwendolyn van Paasschen, Chair of the John Brookes Denmans Foundation, we are treated to John's far-ranging words. Gwendolyn has done a sterling job in bringing the disparate writings together, cleverly inserting her commentary to help guide the reader.
The book does talk about design, structure, placement, context, clients, sketching, planting and so on. But it's the richness of all the other of John's observations that make it so much more.
This book is simple in its delivery - it fits perfectly in your hands and is simply laid out. Pimpernel Press is to be applauded for publishing it."
-- Chris Young * The Horticulturalist *
"The art, craft and science of garden making is illuminated by the writings of a handful of great garden designers such as the late John Brookes, whose revolutionary book on the subject, How to Design a Garden, was published this year, edited by Gwendolyn van Paasschen."
-- Fionnuala Fallon * Irish Times *
