Windcliff

A Story of People, Plants, and Gardens

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Pub Date 22 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 02 Jan 2021

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Description

“Dan Hinkley is a rare man, generous, inspired, and gifted with an eye for beauty that is given to few people. How I long to wander again in the galloping beauty of his garden at Windcliff. Here it is, in all its inspiring wonder.” —Anna Pavord, author of Landskipping and The Curious Gardener

Daniel Hinkley is widely recognized as one of the fore­most modern plant explorers and one of the world’s leading plant collectors. He has created two outstanding private gardens—Heronswood and Windcliff. Both gardens, and the story of how one begat the other, are beautifully celebrated in Hinkley’s new book, Windcliff.

In these pages you will delight in Hinkley’s recounting of the creation of his garden, the stories of the plants that fill its space, and in his sage gardening advice. Hinkley’s spirited ruminations on the audacity and importance of garden-making—contemplations on the beauty of a sunflower turning its neck from dawn to dusk, the way a plant’s scent can spur a memory, and much more—will appeal to the hearts of every gardener.

Filled with Claire Takacs’s otherworldly photography, Windcliff is spectacular for both its physical beauty and the quality of information it contains.

“Dan Hinkley is a rare man, generous, inspired, and gifted with an eye for beauty that is given to few people. How I long to wander again in the galloping beauty of his garden at Windcliff. Here it...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781604699012
PRICE $35.00 (USD)
PAGES 280

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Average rating from 18 members


Featured Reviews

Some garden books are all beautiful photos, some give great garden advice and others are eloquent garden memoirs. Very few garden books manage to hit all three, especially this well. There are stunning photos and there's great advice on everything from using plants for texture to a delightful essay on the many ways they used plants and landscaping to create privacy between themselves and two quite unfortunate sets of neighbors, plus all sorts of stories and musings that just add to the appeal.

Windcliff is a fantastic read for anyone who loves gardens, and one I'd particularly enjoy curling up with in the dead of winter when I'm not busy with my own gardens and want to start dreaming of green again.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

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If you’ve ever walked through a garden and thought, “wow, this is really relaxing,” then I suggest you pick up this book. The story and pictures will take you to on a journey. Each page contains beautiful pictures of an ethereal landscape that was borne of the desire for expression. I will be buying this book so I can enjoy the peace looking at the pictures of this visually arresting garden has given me, over and over.

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Windcliff is the home of renown plant collector and garden creator Daniel Hinkley and his husband Robert Jones. Before Windcliff, there was Heronswood, their previous garden and nursery in Kingston, Washington. In 2006, Heronswood was sold and Hinkley and Jones moved to 6 acres on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Here Hinkley recounts the creation of the garden that was influenced by places, plants and people that he has encountered during his world explorations. Compared to Heronswood, this new garden was on a much larger scale with expansive vistas and some challenging weather conditions. He describes how he incorporated balance, repetition and focal points in the design of the garden as well as highlighting major plants like agapanthus, grasses, vines, cactus and vegetables. The book is filled with colorful stories of how he discovered many of the plants he has introduced to American gardeners as well as the memorable friends who has influenced him (JC Raulston, Christopher Lloyd, Jamaica Kinkaid and others). Hardscape elements, like gates, ornaments, totem poles and prayer flags are also highlighted.

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I was not familiar with the author when I received this e galley from NetGalley but I was intrigued by the thought of spending (virtual) time in a beautiful place.  As it turns out, the author is well known in horticultural circles.  His gardens are celebrated in this beautifully illustrated title. 


Mr. Hinkley is an honest and open guide throughout this volume with a voice that, at times, feels elegaic. Spend time with him and his horticultural treasures.  Imagine that you are in the exact spot where a photo was taken.  It will be well worth your time.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

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This whole book represents the entirety of my garden goals, along with my plant photography goals. A gorgeous book to give you all sorts of garden envy.

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Windcliff: An Explorer's Garden is a partial biography and pictorial record of Windcliff, one of the botanical masterworks realized by Daniel J. Hinkley. Due out 15th Sept 2020 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 296 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a beautiful book. It works quite well as a book of inspiration to translate to the reader's own gardening situation, as a story of a passionate (and self described odd) gardener's own odyssey to bring his own dreams to fruition, as a biography of an interesting person, and as a gorgeous book of garden photography.

The layout is logical and the text accessible. The introduction covers the beginning conditions of the gardens at Windcliff, and some of the background and psyche which Hinkley himself brought to the project. The following chapters show the different gardens and their genesis and growth. There are several gardens and each gets its own chapter. I especially loved the potager (veggie/food) garden because that's what resonates most closely with my own passion in gardening. The gardens are all beathtakingly gorgeous of course, but it's the somewhat plain and hardworking food garden which really got my blood pumping.

This is a beautiful book of inspiration for gardeners as well as a readable account of a cultured and intelligent man incorporating his vision through hard work and making it reality. I also thought the sentimental bits referencing his respect and affection for his partner were sweet, appropriate, and romantic. I sincerely believe if you scratch the surface of most gardeners you'll find a romantic under the dirt and briar scratches.

Five stars. I fully intend to buy my own personal copy of this one for my home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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This is a beautifully done book. It inspires the desire to creatively find joy and passion in your garden spaces and allow it or them to inspire you as you are inspired to create the gardens!

The photographs are simply beautiful and several gardens are featured each one gets its own chapter. The gardens are all stunning and show that through dedication and hard work you can truly create a haven to enjoy and be proud of!

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

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Loved, loved, loved! Gorgeous pictures, great storytelling and gardening advice.
I want a garden like this and I love discovering how was created and the all the work needed.
It was a great read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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Garden tours are a mainstay of my family’s vacations. Just last year, we visited Bainbridge Island and fell in love with the gardens. Then, to have the opportunity to review Windcliff, such serendipity! This is a book for hardcore gardeners and Pacific Northwest ones in particular. I wasn’t bowled over by the photos, but it seems my opinion differs from many other reviewers. Hinkley’s writing is beautiful and literary, if a bit snarky at times. I would love for him to present to my garden club and may pursue that opportunity if this virus ever goes away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Renowned plant collector Daniel J. Hinkley shares his journey in building one of the worlds best privately owned gardens, Windcliff. Situated on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound Oregon, Hinkley was faced with acres of turf which he majestically transformed. Hinkley writes about the very need for building privacy in your garden and the salty remarks about the neighbours are a highlight. Accompanied by the tremendous photography by Australian photographer Claire Takacs, this is a must for all gardening enthusiasts.

*eArc provided by the publisher and NetGalley

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This is a story. It does have gardening guidance and design. It’s quite easy to read because it’s written in a story-like manner as opposed to a somewhat academic manner something like this can be at times.

It is not a book on how to put together your veggie garden; nor how to fill your flowerpots for summer. It isn’t composed of tips on creating beautiful annual landscapes in the spring. It is based on beautiful and yet wild spaces, and ways to shape and keep them healthy. It has chapters on texture, height, nurseries, design and much more.

Do not misinterpret what I’m trying to say here. This is a beautiful book. Fascinating to read filled with great photos. You just need to take a look at a few pages (maybe the Table of Contents) and determine if it’s for you. If you like gardening and very well-written stories mixed with gorgeous photos, then read it. I did and loved it.

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Gorgeous pictures, great storytelling and gardening advice .This book is for true garden lover or just someone who want to look at garden gorgeous gardens.

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I love flowers and gardening. The pictures in this book are gorgeous, with beautiful writing and sound gardening advise.
4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and author for an ARC of this book.The opinions expressed are my own.

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Dan Hinkley is a highly respected expert in the field of horticulture, especially in the Pacific Northwest where he lives. His description of the creation of Windcliff, his current residence, is fascinating. He respectfully incorporates the perspective of the indigenous peoples, as well as the science of this endeavor. It's truly a story. Hinkley discusses his history, inspirations, and design principles. The latter is presented in a conversational manner, rather than in a textbook-like drone. The photographs of this amazing property are stunning and give one lots of ideas for one's own landscape. One page shows four photos that help to illustrate why foliage is more important than color. It brings to mind the old adage of "a picture worth a thousand words." Because Hinkley collects specimens from all over the world, the landscape shows diversity like no other. This is truly a one-of-a-kind book. I plan to buy my own copy to read and re-read, relishing every page and every photo.

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I love this book. As a gardener, I become immersed in these pages. I am envious and inspired at the same time. I am transported by this book and I enjoy it time and time again.

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