The Ornamental Vegetable Garden

Diana Anthony

This beautiful book illustrates the design and planting of the ornamental vegetable garden, where aesthetics and practicality combine to create edible gardens.  On a practical level, information is offered on design and planting; construction, such as laying pathways and edgings, building raised beds and compost bins, erecting espalier frames and plant supports; plans for traditional ground layouts; advice on style and design, hedges and enclosures, and much more.

In this age of smaller gardens, a special section is devoted to the creation of tiny space or ‘no soil’ potager, and a range of vegetables suitable for container plantings is discussed.  Essential horticultural practices such as crop rotation, green manures, composting and continuity of produce are presented, together with companion planting and the organic management of the potager.  Practical advice is given on the ancient arts of topiary and how to cordon and espalier fruit, and how to build a scarecrow.  Above all, the book shows that the growing of food need not be a strictly utilitarian process, but one that is also highly creative.

The succinct, informative text s accompanied by inspirational photographs of ornamental vegetable gardens, both fully mature and those still in development, from around New Zealand and the world.  Attractive diagrams and ground plans complete this essential guide to developing your own creative b of he aesthetic and edible.