Spirit of the Place book cover

Book

In Spirit of Place: The Making of a New England Garden I describe the pleasures and challenges of creating a garden that feels deeply rooted to its place. I look at sources of inspiration as well as the principles—both aesthetic and practical—that guided the making of the garden. Some of the questions I posed along the way are: How does a garden relate to the larger landscape? How does it reflect my interests while still evoking a sense of place?

With close to 300 color photographs, the book vividly portrays my approach to making colorful perennial gardens, sun-drenched rock gardens and borders of rare and unusual plants sourced from some of the finest nurseries in the country. And because it is a country garden, there is a chapter about growing fruits and vegetables, and another that places the garden in its larger ecological setting. 

My main goal has been to create a garden where the emotional response comes first. I invite you to pick up a copy and join me in savoring the trials and error that keep a garden interesting and alive.

To learn more about Spirit of Place, published by Timber Press,
or to order a copy visit: workman.com/products/spirit-of-place

Also available at the Norwich Bookstore https://www.norwichbookstore.com/book/9781604698503

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Here’s what other gardeners, who have seen an advance copy of Spirit of Place have to say:

“Bill Noble gets it—about place, plants, and why gardens matter. Delve into this beautiful book. You’ll come away sharing his passion for the beauty that gardens bring into our lives.” —Sigourney Weaver, environmentalist, actor, trustee of New York Botanical Garden

“A gloriously illustrated source of information and inspiration for all who garden seriously.” —Marco Polo Stufano, founding director of horticulture, Wave Hill

“Bill Noble is that rare combination of a plant collector with an artistic sensibility. He takes us on an intimate walk through his garden, where a tapestry of plantings interacts with mountains and meadows.” —Page Dickey, author of Embroidered Ground and the forthcoming Uprooted

“The story of a remarkable garden and its creator, through a tour packed with plant information, glorious photographs, secrets, and tricks of the trade.” —Antonia Adezio, executive director, Marin Art & Garden Center