I wish that I were able to create a garden like this -- but alas, I live in a different climate. Nonetheless, these photos are inspiring.

A Tapestry Garden by Ernie O'Byrne and Marietta O'Byrne highlights the development of their home gardens. First of all these gardens are beautifully shown in the photographs. It is evident that this was a project of love for this couple as well as a massive undertaking.

I enjoyed the text which is very readable but it was the photographs that make this book shine. Before and after photos were included. Well done were the after photos which emphasized individual plants and entire areas of plantings. I did wish that there could have been more photographs during the work so that I could see the progress being made on the areas.

This is not so much of a reference or how-to book as it is a history of the journey in the creation of the O’Byrne’s gardens. It is a beautiful tribute to the work that they have created.

In one of the best growing areas in the US, the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the O’Byrnes have created a wonderful garden- or, perhaps it should be called “gardenS”. On one and a half acres they have created a garden with several microclimates in it. They have both used existing microclimates and created some of their own- trees they planted when they first got there have matured and created shade gardens. No matter; they are not averse to moving plants when needed. Or, for that matter, moving tons of soil amendments and rocks.

It amazes me how they have done this garden; when they first arrived, they gardened for other people as a profession. Then they started a nursery. As someone who has done both those things, I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can do those things AND find the energy for doing what they have done!

The books chapters are the different zones in their garden: kitchen garden, chaparral, shady border, rockeries, conifer & heather, the woods. There is also a chapter on the garden in autumn and winter, and the last chapter is on caring for the garden. There are wonderful pictures that make me long to see the garden. Except for the last chapter, it’s not a how-to gardening book, but more of a ‘this is what you can do’ book of inspirations; there is a section on how to deal with pretty much any situation your garden has. It was a wonderful book to read this winter to make me long for spring.

The book is the story of the authors' very garden in Oregon, USA. There are elements that I found interesting, particularly regarding he different micro-climates that their garden affords, but unfortunately for me I found the writing style dull and ponderous. It is written in a narrative style but there just isn't the liveliness of, say, Christopher Lloyd and I struggled to maintain interest. I was also disappointed by the photography - I'm not sure if it is just that the garden doesn't excite me, or that the photos just aren't that good and fail to fully reflect the garden.

This is the story of a journey--two plant-lovers building gardens on their homestead near Eugene, OR. The narrative, written by Marietta, gives a personal look at the different plants, the landscape and how they came to be. It's the kind of book you'd settle down with on a rainy Northwest afternoon, eagerly anticipating your own foray into the gardens in spring. In particular, I loved the shade garden photos--so vivid I felt like I was there! You'll love this book for its photos alone, and I have gotten so many ideas for new plants and landscaping arrangements from this book. I highly recommend it!

Lovely garden memoir with attractive accompanying photographs. Small amounts of horticultural advice for those in cooler temperate zones. This book will appeal mainly to US and European markets and the small market here in Australia interested in international garden design.

I love the O'Byrne's passion for experimentation, which is evident in their garden and this book. Trial and error, curiosity, and not being afraid to make mistakes (and learn from them) are lessons to be learned from "A Tapestry Garden." I like the beautiful photographs and the incredible variety of plants used in the pockets of different garden spaces.