[John T]

Can anyone suggest any worthwhile online training programs or books on landscape design? I have a friend who is interested but is not able to attend classes at local programs.

[agla]

"Planting Design: AManual of Theory and Practice" by Nelson is a great comprehensive book that teaches design principles rather than the usual "how to design like me because what I do is great and everything else is wrong" books that are out there.

There is a good book on how to draw landscape plans by a guy named Reid. I think it is simply called "landscape Graphics", but I'm not sure.

Both of these books have been around for a long time and are still used as textbooks in landscape architecture schools all over the country. They are also inexpensive.

[TrickyDick]

"Residential Landscape Architecture" by Booth and Hiss is a really good book that covers everything from proposals and the client relationship to all aspects of residential design. Don't know about online stuff.

[Willow Hill]

I am taking a good course that I found on-line. Check out www.landscape-designer.co.nz

It is very comprehensive and well-written, by Anna Gresham APLD, a woman from New Zealand. It is a diploma course comparable to, or better than, 2-year courses at community colleges. The good thing is that I have been able to work almost full-time, single-parent a teenager, and move across the country while enrolled in the course. Not that it is easy; it requires hours of detailed work, and an investment in professional drafting equipment.

The book referred to earlier is called Landscape Graphics, by Grant W Reid. It is excellent for drafting and knowing common symbols used in designs, presentation drawings, etc.

You can e-mail me if you have questions. Good luck!

[HardDaysKnight]

Originally posted by agla
"Planting Design: AManual of Theory and Practice" by Nelson is a great comprehensive book that teaches design principles rather than the usual "how to design like me because what I do is great and everything else is wrong" books that are out there.

There is a good book on how to draw landscape plans by a guy named Reid. I think it is simply called "landscape Graphics", but I'm not sure.

Both of these books have been around for a long time and are still used as textbooks in landscape architecture schools all over the country. They are also inexpensive.

I purchased this book for 2 reasons.
One is because Agla suggested it and the other is to
learn even more. I feel like we are selling and installing the
same themes and plant mats and thought I needed a spark.
"Planting Design: AManual of Theory and Practice" is a very easy read and interesting as well. Thanks Agla. BTW I got it used on e-bay and there were quite a few listed.

[Ston Wurks]

Graphics: Mike Lin's 2nd Book-Drawing and designing w/confidence
Grant Reid; Alga's suggestion
As to design
-Secret teachings in the Art of japenese Gardens by David Slawson
-Natural Pattern Forms by Richard Dube"
-Designing w/plants by Piet Oudolf
-Cultivating Sacredspace by Elizabeth Murray
-Creative gardens by James Rose (out of print).
-The Zen of Seeing by frederick Franck
-The Inward Garden by Julie Merservey
-Siftings by Jans Jensen
-The Tao of Architecture by Amos Ih Tiao Chang
-Space and Illusion by Teiji Itoh
plus anything by A.E. Bye

When your through with those I'll get you more. this will take you beyond a "gold one", a 'weeping one" and 3 green ones.

[Willow Hill]

That's quite a list, Ston Wurks! I would love to get a copy of anything by James Rose. Looking on Amazon just now, I found a used copy of Creative Gardens for only $125

I also found this (one used copy for $93):

Built landscapes: Gardens in the northeast : gardens by Beatrix Farrand, Fletcher Steele, James Rose, A.E. Bye, Dan Kiley (Paperback)

That's something to save my spare change for!

[Ston Wurks]

$125.00 I feel lucky, found it on the shelf at a used bookstore-less than that.

it's a great read, and I love the illustrations.