Contemporary Garden by Phaidon Editors

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)

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

About the Author: 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.

30 Sep 2025
 

The Contemporary Garden by Phaidon Editors ISBN 9781838668235