The Gravel Garden - by Jeff Epping & Teresa Woodard (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Gravel gardening is a drought-defying, low-maintenance gardening technique in which deep-rooted, drought tolerant perennials are planted in a deep layer of gravel that suppresses weeds and conserves water. In The Gravel Garden, longtime horticulturist Jeff Epping explores the art of gravel gardening as a naturalistic approach with huge promise for the future of ecological landscaping. Alongside 20 gorgeously photographed gardens in both the US and Europe, including Epping's own home gravel garden in Wisconsin, the book offers insights from leading naturalistic designers such as Roy Diblik and Cassian Schmidt, as well as practical techniques for various scales and applications, from intimate home settings to expansive public and commercial spaces. Gardeners at any scale will be inspired to create their own beautiful garden with the resilience necessary to stand up to our changing climate.

Review Quotes

"Gravel gardens represent both an exciting new area of practice for landscape designers and a radically different, fascinating, and rewarding approach for home gardeners. Jeff Epping's work in this world has been an inspiration to many, and this beautiful and practical book is sure to become the definitive guide for anyone looking to make gregarious gardens with grit."--Ben O'Brien, Owner and Landscape Designer at Wild by Design

"So exciting to finally see the secret of the gravel garden being told to the masses. In this book, Jeff and Teresa have offered a dynamic breadth of information, with something for everyone looking to grow a gravel garden. This type of gardening gives you another tool in your garden belt for a spot where traditional gardening hasn't worked."--Austin Eischeid, garden designer

"The results of the principles, practices, and love of plants from The Gravel Garden reaches far beyond the process of making gravel gardens; Epping highlights the future of planting itself, not driven by what we want plants to do and how we expect them to perform, but by understanding and coming to know who plants are. This book is a wonderful expression of the diversity of people sincere about creating smart planting composition, while always considering health and beauty."--Roy Diblik, garden designer and author of The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden

"This book is a game changer for anyone who is skeptical about the aesthetic value of a gravel garden, with visually stunning, inspirational photographs beautifully combined with a clear and concise message about how to plan and create a gravel garden yourself. Whether you're designing private or public plantings, large gardens, or tiny yards, everyone will benefit from reading this exceptional book, a must-read for both those new to gardening and those with many years' experience."--Annie Guilfoyle, award-winning designer and co-creator of Garden Masterclass

"The Gravel Garden is the definitive guide to a planting method that turns stress into strategy and scarcity into strength. With clarity and vision, Jeff Epping and Teresa Woodward reveal how drought, gravel, and restraint can yield plantings of startling durability and grace--a model for the resilient landscapes our time demands."--Thomas Rainer, author of Planting in a Post-Wild World

"As a mode of planting, gravel gardens have always been future-facing and practical. In service to those ideas, Jeff Epping and Teresa Woodard leave no pebble unturned, showcasing a diverse collection of innovative and inspiring landscapes as seen through the lens of consummate photographer Bob Stefko. The Gravel Garden makes a compelling case for an exquisite ecological future."--Kelly D. Norris, author of Your Natural Garden and New Naturalism

About the Author

Jeff Epping's passion for plants and gardening is reflected in his 35-year career as an award-winning horticulturist and garden designer. During his 28 years as Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, he transformed a lawn-laden landscape into a nationally acclaimed public garden, known for its artistic and innovative, plant-driven designs and ecologically sound gardening techniques. Alongside that role, he also ran his own design and consulting business for 25 years and continues to do so today, specializing in eco-conscious designs for projects ranging from small home gardens to expansive business campuses. Jeff generously shared his expertise through hundreds of classes, workshops, tours, and lectures. His insightful writing has been featured in leading gardening publications like Fine Gardening and Better Homes and Gardens, and his work has been recognized by The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others.

An award-winning garden writer, Teresa brings a background in magazine writing and gardening experience. She is author of Garden to the Max and co-author of American Roots, and the forthcoming Grow A Chaos Garden. During her 16-year writing career, she has written and produced garden content for regional and national publications including Better Homes & Gardens and Country Gardens and currently serves as contributing garden editor at Midwest Living magazine and content creator for digital garden media. She has won Gold and Silver Media Awards from GardenComm. Outside of work, she gardens at her home near Columbus, Ohio, volunteers at an urban garden teaching youth about growing food and advises America in Bloom communities across the country.