Best Landscape Architecture Books of 2025

Piet Oudolf At Work is a major monograph on the Dutch garden designer, showcasing gardens throughout his career and across the globe. This book offers unprecedented insight into his design process, working methods, and inspirations, and features original sketches and drawings – many of which are published here for the first time. The book also includes gatefolds and tip-ins to explain key designs. Overall, this book is a must-have for landscape architecture enthusiasts, offering fresh insight into the work and creative practice of Piet Oudolf and his significance in the field.

The Architecture of Trees is a must-have for any landscape architect or nature enthusiast. The book features over 550 stunning illustrations of 212 tree species, drawn to scale with and without foliage. It also includes tables of seasonal color variation and projections of shadows cast by the trees during the hours of daylight and season by season. The book is a legendary botanical masterpiece, considered a standard in many landscape architecture firms. Anyone interested in nature and trees will be captivated by the stunning illustrations. This book is a beautiful and informative addition to any coffee table or bookshelf.

Prairie Up by Benjamin Vogt is a beautifully photographed guide that encourages gardeners to embrace natural garden design with native plants. The book provides step-by-step blueprints for creating plant communities that support wildlife and rethink traditional planting and maintenance. It also offers insider information on plant sourcing, garden tools, and working with city ordinances. With over 150 color photos, Prairie Up is a practical guide for those wanting both beautiful and functional landscapes. Vogt's expertise in prairie plants and sustainable garden design makes this book an invaluable reference. Highly recommended for gardeners who want to revive diversity and wildness in their communities.

Remarkable Golf Courses is a stunning collection of the world's most unique and extraordinary golf courses. From the highest course in Bolivia to the lowest in Death Valley, USA, this book covers the extremes of the sport. It features courses with neolithic standing stones, Roman roads, and ruined medieval castles alongside the old temples of Delhi. The book also includes some beloved classic courses like St. Andrews and Carnoustie, and spectacular courses hewn out of the Nevada and Arizona desert. Spragg's storytelling, combined with extraordinary photography, makes this book a must-read for golf enthusiasts and photography lovers alike.

Planting the Natural Garden is a must-have manual for landscape designers, gardeners, and plant enthusiasts alike. This classic book, authored by Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen, spearheaded the New Perennial Movement, which transformed landscape design with its naturalistic use of hardy perennials and grasses. This revised edition includes scores of new plants and combinations, making its distinctive plant palette available to all. The book is packed with practical information and visual inspiration, celebrating the beauty, design, color, and texture of naturalistic plantings. Overall, this lush publication is an engaging and updated reference for anyone interested in sustainability and garden beauty.

Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is an inspiring guide for creating resilient landscapes that blend both wild and cultivated plant communities. The book offers a practical approach to designing visually harmonious and ecologically connected landscapes that thrive within our built world. With its optimistic call to action, this universal guide to sustainable landscaping is a real-world solution for property owners and designers alike. Overall, Planting in a Post-Wild World is a masterful accomplishment and a refreshing addition to the world of landscape and planting design literature.

Wild: The Naturalistic Garden is an impressive book that explores the new trend in garden design with an eco-conscious approach. The book features over 40 gardens around the world, each with beautiful photography and insightful text. The author, Noel Kingsbury, is a planting-design consultant and a prolific writer on gardens and naturalistic planting. Kingsbury's expertise and passion for the subject shine through in this book. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable gardening and the current zeitgeist in garden design.

Patina Homes is a book that showcases the architectural designs of Steve Giannetti, who combines modern, classical, and industrial elements to create unique and beautiful homes. The book features twelve homes of various styles, from a modern desert glass box to a historic East Coast farmhouse. Each home is designed with a focus on warm, neutral palettes and antique furnishings, resulting in exquisite environments that are both refined and timeless. The book also includes collaborations with Brooke Giannetti and other designers on the interior designs. Overall, Patina Homes is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautiful architecture and interior design.

The Essential Garden Design Workbook: Completely Revised and Expanded is an excellent guide for students, professionals, and garden enthusiasts who want to create well-designed outdoor spaces. The book covers every stage of the design process, from pre-design to maintenance, and provides updated garden plans, photos, and profiles of 50 top plants that offer timely insights for today's designers. The authors also offer advice on designing for sustainability and diversity, using computer-aided design, and starting a garden design business. Overall, this expanded classic is a valuable resource for anyone interested in designing beautiful, successful gardens.

Key West Cottages and Gardens is a book that showcases the unique architectural and design style of Key West, one of the most famous tropical islands in the world. The book features beautiful photos of tropical homes, along with tips for living on the island from Leslie Linsley and residents. With interviews and photos that showcase the different styles of cottages, this book is perfect for anyone who loves the feeling and visuals of the Key West lifestyle. Overall, this book is a great addition to any home decorating book collection, especially for those looking to incorporate tropical elements into their home design.