Natural stone adds an authentic touch to an outdoor space that nothing else can match.

In the book, The Spirit of Stone, landscape designer Jan Johnsen presents a richly photographed guide to the many creative ways that durable stone and gravel can be used in a garden. The chapters address rock gardens, walls, stone accents, walks and more. There is a chapter on sustainable stone that shows how to capitalize on stone’s functional qualities in a beautiful way. And a last chapter highlights plants and stones together, a natural combination in a garden.

Natural stone adds an authentic touch to an outdoor space that nothing else can match. While plants and soft scape in general are visually enticing, a stone wall, meandering path, or purposefully placed boulder or two will add an earthy solid feel of permanence that will remain for years. There are so many stone types available and designs from simple to formal.  Isamu Noguchi, the designer and artist, summed it up best, “Any gardener will tell you that it is the rocks that make a garden. They call them the ‘bones’ of the garden.”

Jan Johnsen is an award-winning instructor at the New York Botanical Garden and writes the garden blog, “Serenity in the Garden.” Trained in landscape architecture, planning and professional horticulture, Jan is a co-principal of the design firm, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, in Westchester County, New York.  Her firm received a merit award in 2014 from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

The Spirit of Stone can be purchased on Amazon. It’s a helpful resource for anyone interested in creating a more inviting, natural and restful environment in their landscape. Jan’s  tips and photos will inspire designers, homeowners, gardeners, and stonemasons alike. For more ideas on using natural stone in your garden, visit our website or give us a call to discuss your project!