Celebrate the beauty and creativity of the world’s greatest contemporary gardens through this stunning survey highlighting the leading designers of today

Spanning the late 20th century to the present, The Contemporary Garden showcases 300 stunning gardens, from roof gardens to wildflower meadows, each celebrated with a large-format image and an insightful description that will deepen the reader s understanding of the creator s work.

Organized alphabetically by designer, this stunning book celebrates the visual beauty and creativity of gardens in the 21st century and demonstrates how our evolving stylistic and horticultural aesthetic fosters an increasingly strong connection with the natural world. Curated in collaboration with an international team of horticultural experts, this wide-ranging collection includes established and lesser-known designers, capturing the global rise of garden design and offering a rich source of inspiration.

Australian projects/designers

VIC: Paul Bangay's "The Garden at Stonefields", "Barwitian Garden" from Ralph Bristow, Fiona Brockhoff's "Karkalla", Woodleigh School Senior Campus, Rick Eckersley's "Musk Cottage", Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda, Jane Jones' garden in Portsea, Guilfoyle's Volcano Melbourne Gardens, Michael McCoy's "Stone Hill", "Sand Garden" from Catherine Rush, Michael Wright and Thomas Gooch, "Sunnymeade" by Peter Shaw, The Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne,

NSW: Dangar Barin Smith's "Circular Vision", Walama/Ballast Point Park, "Nevell Garden" from Claudia Nevell, "Bracken" at Malua Bay

QLD: "Banksia House" by Kirsti Sheldon

TAS: Sally Johannsohn's garden

WA: Bill and Di Mitchell's "Fire and Beauty"

NT: Alice Springs Desert Park

ACT: Garden of Australian Dreams

SA: "Yalamurra" by Kurt Wilkinson

NZ projects/designers

Peter and Andrea Forrest's Moritaki (Malborough), Te Henui Cemetery Garden (Taranaki), Welton House (Blenheim), Fisherman's Bay Garden (Akaroa), Jo Wakelin's garden (Cromwell), Mamaku (Auckland)

Details

ISBN13: 9781838668235
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 336
Edition:
Publication Date: 30 Sep 2025
Publisher: Phaidon Press Ltd
Publication City, Country: London,United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 23.2(H)x33(L)x28.9(W)1840
Weight (gm): 1840

Author Biography

Phaidon Editors

Annie Guilfoyle is an award-winning garden designer and international lecturer based in West Sussex, UK. She is cofounder of Garden Masterclass and a judge for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Sorrel Everton is a garden writer and editor based in Bristol, UK.

Tovah Martin is an author, photographer, lecturer, garden writer, and goatherd based in the United States.

Reviews

‘Survey[s] the everlasting link between horticulture, nature, and aesthetics.’ – Colossal

[A] fascinating new home and gardening book to add to your reading list.’ – Phoenix Home & Garden

'[A] fascinating look at the future of gardening and those driving it.' – The English Garden

‘The Contemporary Garden presents a wide-ranging examination of garden design as a dynamic field of architectural, ecological, and cultural expression.’ – Designboom

‘Stunning.’ – Aspire Design and Home

‘A staple on garden book lovers' shelves.’ – HortWeek

‘ From public to private, famous to obscure, and from vast landscapes to tiny urban pocket parks, The Contemporary Garden offers a visually stunning showcase of garden diversity from around the world. It highlights the diverse and creative ways gardens are brought to life. A celebration of groundbreaking garden masterpieces, featuring some of the most innovative garden designers of the last 30 years.’ – Kristine Paulus, Collection Development Librarian, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden, USA

‘A monumental new book from Phaidon. This masterwork profiles 300 gardens from around the world that have defined the zeitgeist of modern garden design.’ – Tony Spencer, The New Perennialist

‘An essential chronicle of contemporary garden design, capturing the ideas and visionaries shaping our landscapes today.’ – Paul B. Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Longwood Gardens

‘The Contemporary Garden is a beautifully curated celebration of today's most inspiring gardens, capturing the creativity and diversity shaping landscape design around the world. It was an honour to be included alongside such esteemed company, and to see our craft so diversely represented in this expansive and uplifting compendium.’ – Tom Massey, Garden Designer

‘A scintillating new book, presenting 300 of the world’s finest modern gardens.’ – Andrew Salter, gardener and writer