Every house in the world has a backyard, a vital outdoor space where life happens. In this book the author shows you how to make the most of the area and create a haven of peace (or fun) that is right for you and your lifestyle. The backyard makes an important link between the house and the wider garden or may constitute the whole garden. Even if the house walls cast shadows for most of the day and the soil is poor, this book has masses of tricks for bringing the space alive with plants and turning it into a green paradise. First impressions count and the backyard may well have a high proportion of "hard landscape", or paving of various kinds, which may take the lion's share of the budget. This makes sound panning and clever use of space especially important. This book shows how to get the area right without expensive changes of mind and with future needs planned.

Author Biography

David Stevens is a highly influential garden designer, writer and broadcaster. He is a regular exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show, has worked with Terence Conran on a garden for the Imperial War Museum in 2005, and is the winner of 26 medals and three for best garden. He is the author of 22 books, including The Room Outside, Backyard Blueprints, Garden for Living and Small Space Gardens, and is the creator and presenter of numerous television and radio programmes. His company David Stevens International undertakes design and lecture commissions throughout the world, and he was previously Professor of Garden Design at Middlesex University. David sits on the academic board of the prestigious KLC College of Interior and Garden Design in Chelsea, London, and is also a deputy president of the Royal National Rose Society.