A Tapestry Garden

The Art of Weaving Plants and Place

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Pub Date 26 Apr 2018 | Archive Date 28 Mar 2018

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Description

“This is a love story about a couple and their relationship with an acre-and-a-half of land. . . with exceptional plant descriptions that read like character references for old friends. . . . beautiful photographs and prose await.” —Library Journal

Marietta and Ernie O’Byrne’s garden—situated on one and a half acres in Eugene, Oregon—is filled with an incredible array of plants from around the world. By consciously leveraging the garden’s many microclimates, they have created a stunning patchwork of exuberant plants that is widely considered one of America’s most outstanding private gardens. In A Tapestry Garden, the O’Byrnes share their deep knowledge of plants and essential garden advice. Readers will discover the humble roots of the garden, explore the numerous habitats and the plants that make them shine, and find inspiration in photography that captures the garden’s astonishing beauty. There is something here for every type of gardener: a shade garden, perennial borders, a chaparral garden, a kitchen garden, and more. Profiles of the O’Byrne’s favorite plants—including hellebores, trilliums, arisaemas, and alpine plants—include comprehensive growing information and tips on pruning and care. A Tapestry Garden captures the spirit of a very special place.
“This is a love story about a couple and their relationship with an acre-and-a-half of land. . . with exceptional plant descriptions that read like character references for old friends...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781604697599
PRICE $34.95 (USD)
PAGES 264

Average rating from 7 members


Featured Reviews

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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