The Modern Professional Planting Designer by Andrew Fisher Tomlin, book review

Even though gardening (as a hobby, profession or business) is obsessed with plants, it is curious there aren’t more books dedicated to planting and the art of how plants are used in gardens. In most gardening books, plants are either dealt with in a beautiful, coffee-table approach, featuring luscious photography and dreamy combinations, or there is the practical approach, with advice on growing and maintaining the plants from a horticultural viewpoint.

So it is interesting that a book focusing on plants and design should be published now. Written by Andrew Fisher Tomlin, a garden designer of note and (among many accolades) one of the founders of the well-respected London College of Garden Design, the book is an outpouring of all he knows and has taught.

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The 256 pages are a comprehensive treaty on how to think about plants, how to factor them into a design and landscape, how to propose and present them to a client, and their role in the wider environment. Through clear writing and plenty of space, it tells you what you need to know if you use plants as your palette.

There are two clear virtues of the book. The first is that if you are starting out as a garden designer, or
want to learn (or relearn) the skill of plants and planting combinations, this book is for you. It is, in essence, a complete course in planting design: it takes a professional approach and assumes the reader is that too – a semi or full professional wanting to develop their skills.

The second is its pragmatic journey of plant consideration. Fisher Tomlin effectively divides the book into sections titled ‘discover’, ‘define’, ‘develop’, ‘detail’ and then ‘deliver’.

Many of the questions posed in the book are useful, whether for those experienced or not. For example, the chapter focusing on ‘solving the right challenge’ is a lesson in discovery and remaining open-minded about the brief that needs to be met; remembering that the project brief is a living document really helps in times of getting stuck; and the encouragement to ‘stay inquisitive and find your planting opportunities’ reminds us all to challenge and stretch ourselves.

Additional case studies from around the world try to bring some of his teachings alive, and help appeal to
a global book-buying audience by not being shoe-horned into a European-centred view of the plant world.

There are plenty of photographs, plans and illustrations to bring the subject matter to life, mainly reflecting the current trends and approaches in planting. Attractive sketches illustrate key principles, while discussions about planting schedules, spacing, climate change, environmental concerns and seasonal plans are all very welcome.

All images are well captioned, but for a book extolling the virtues of plants and their associations, there could be a lot more specific plant-name referencing in the photos. Quite rightly for the editorial promise of the book, you won’t find lots of historical images charting planting evolution or garden styles over the decades – this is a book for people now, for those wanting to get on and become better at plants and planting.

So often in publishing, books try to be all things to all people. This book doesn’t. Even with the unwieldy title, it is clear in its purpose and direction. For the general gardening book-buying public, it may be daunting and too much; but for those who want to dig deeper, find out how to deliver a plant-based solution to a garden, or to develop their own horticultural style, you won’t go far wrong.

Reviewer Chris Young is a writer, landscape designer and consultant book publisher.