The Spirit of Stone: 101 Practical & Creative Stonescaping Ideas for Your Garden

I just got this book today and I love it! Cannot wait to read the entire book with a nice cup of coffee.

Easily understandable. Needs more detail.

I got a lot out of Johnsen’s previous book, “Heaven is a Garden,” so I must say that I had high expectations for “The Spirit of Stone.” My initial reaction is that I wish she had finished it sooner. I completed several design contracts last year that involved extensive stone work, and there is information in this book that would have helped each of them.Johnsen’s greatest talents as a designer are her ability to immediately recognize the innate purpose of a given space and her incomparable vocabulary of various design elements, both living and innate. And every one of her designs that I have visited features exceptional stonework. But what makes her an incredibly successful practicing designer is her ability to explain form and function in ways that the uninitiated can easily grasp. All of these are products of decades of experience and a deep seated passion for garden design as an art form. They are also what make her classes and lectures so popular with those looking at a career in landscape design. And with those who just want to make sense of their own back yard. I would recommend “The Spirit of Stone” to either group.I related to Johnsen speaking of “having a soft spot for hard rock.” So do I. Her latest book is packed with information -practical, informative, and sometimes just interesting. From detailing the pros and cons of various types of stone and gravel materials, to new suggestions on how to use them, to fascinating asides on specific individual or famous stones and the work of world-class artists and designers, her passion for the subject matter is contagious. Hundreds of beautiful photos (a fair percentage from her own work), charts and diagrams shed further light on each topic. I have no doubt that after reading this I will be using more stone in my own design practice. After reading this book, you will too. It’s that good. It’s that comprehensive. It’s that fun to read. And, if you love working with stone in the garden –or if you’d like to –it’s the ideal handbook on the subject.

This is a book about stone in the garden. It's an idea book and a handy reference, for a professional landscape designer, sure, but also for a masonry contractor, a garden enthusiast, or any lover of art and beauty. As a professional stone mason myself, this is the sort of book that a contractor might bring with them, when visiting a potential client. A lot of the home owners who hire me would love to have a book like this, and it would give them plenty of ideas and good advice, for their gardens.This book is comprehensive. It covers it all. It starts off with some lesser known stone features, like cairns, stone balancing and standing stones--okay, so you're an art fan and you recognize the name of Goldsworthy and you've heard of those before. Cool. How about Japanese viewing stones? Chinese Scholars stones? You heard of them? Dolmens--can you tell me what a dolmen is? More common and pragmatic stone features like dry stone walls, stone pathways and stone steps are all given due consideration here, as are rock gardens, dry gardens, zen gardens, pebble mosaics and much more.Aside from all of the great photos (and the book really is worth it just for the photos) the book is also interspersed with design tips, and installation advice. There's diagrams that offer some detail on foundations, directions on how to build a walkway, explanations on how to build a dry stream bed--and more. All of these things contribute to this book being an instant classic of the genre.

If you want to know how to garden with rock and stone, this is your ultimate resource. It is so well written that you feel Jan's passion for rock gardening. The photos with her practical explanations makes the book so practical and useful. A great read. I am now a believer of incorporating rock into my gardens in an artistic manner.

The best book I have seen for understanding how to use stone in a garden. Beautiful photographs that illustrate the possibilities. Easy to understand instruction for the do it yourselfer.

As a landscape designer, I am always looking for new books for inspiration. I can easily find great books about plants, but I have been waiting for a comprehensive book about stone and how to use it in landscapes for many years. "The Spirit of Stone" is the book I have been waiting for. This beautifully photographed book gives ideas for simple projects for home gardeners as well as more challenging designs for professionals. It is a pleasure to read, with practical tips blended with design concepts for many styles of landscapes. "The Spirit of Stone" is a book I will use as a reference often, and I will be giving copies to many of my friends, clients and students

Very good review of the uses of stone in landscaping, from those underfoot to those used for walls, from feature rocks intended for viewing to those using for planting areas. Ample photos show various types, shapes, and sizes of rocks - book includes advice on installation (walls, stairs, hills, pathways), and on plantings to compliment rocks. Clear, concise, useful - recommended.

The Spirit of Stone delightfully presents the many dimensions and value of stone in the landscape. The author has combined 40+ years of landscape design and horticulture with experience drawn from living and studying on several continents. There is a deceivingly large amount of information in this book. Beautiful photography illustrates every point. We often think of stone work and landscaping design on a grand scale with large projects. Yet this book also offers up inspiration and instructions toward personalizing even the average suburban lot by the use of stone.

I have a very rocky yard. This book has inspired me to get to love my rocks.If you have rocks, get this book.

Lots of great ideas!