Books

Rustic Gardener:

Landsberg, Sylvia (Undated) The Medieval Garden, British Museum Press, ISBN 0-7141-0590-2

The medieval garden offered pleasure, repose and refreshment to the senses as well as food and medicine. Using detailed manuscripts and illustrations of the time this book offers a glimpse at how wood was used in the garden, small-holding at a time when you had to make do on the local resources. Describes different styles of rustic fencing and plant supports including Vine pergola. Gives some practical advice on how to create typical medieval features in your own garden.  Review: Very good source book on the origin of the rustic tradition with picture of the gardens and the craftsmen working

Stone, Jean (1992) The Rustic Garden, B.T. Batsford, ISBN0-7134-6548-4

A complete history of the ‘Rustic Gardening’ tradition including rustic furniture. Principally a literature based study with lots of good historical detail. Helpful list of references. Review: One of the few history books on the subject easily available. Technical information on wood I thought was flawed and weak in places.

Hamilton, Geoff (1997) Cottage Gardens, BBC Books, ISBN 0 563 387327

Includes a chapter entitled The Country Garden within the Design section.

Ideas in the chapter are enlarged upon in other parts of the book and throughout there are clear descriptions and photos of constructions. There's a nice section on Garths and Flowery Meads.  Included in the chapter on Privacy there is a green living nut tunnel, with hazel used for the training arches, and suggestions for living allees and arbours, giving alternative plants to use, such as hornbeam and willow. It promotes the use of coppicing and offers suggestions for obtaining willow cuttings, from coppiced council trees!