Read This: Garden Wonderland, plus BOOK GIVEAWAY
Update 5/1: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to winner Michelle Derviss!
We were both brand-new authors at Ten Speed Press when I met Leslie Bennett during the 2013 Fling tour, a connection that immediately felt like a sisterly bond. Leslie was highly regarded as a designer, and I was intrigued by her background. A graduate of Harvard, Columbia Law School, and the University College London, she’d joined a law firm but then pivoted, following her heart to become a farmer and eventually a designer with a focus on edible gardening and environmental justice.
Today Leslie is the owner and founding principal of Pine House Edible Gardens in Oakland, California, designing luscious, beautifully designed gardens that incorporate plants for harvest as well as beauty, that reflect the owners’ cultural heritage, and that encourage a deep connection with the natural world. She also has a brand-new book, Garden Wonderland: Create Life-Changing Outdoor Spaces for Beauty, Harvest, Meaning, and Joy, co-authored with Julie Chai. I’ve been devouring it since it arrived, poring over the images of drool-worthy gardens designed for feeding not just the body but the soul. (And I’m giving away a copy at the end of this post!)
What I love about the book, besides the inspiring images, is how Leslie provides practical and easily digestible design advice. She explains concepts like triangulation and foliage contrast, which enhance the visual interest of a garden. She talks about ways to incorporate edible plants, whether mixed with ornamentals or in dedicated raised beds. She shares her ideas about creating gathering spots in order to relax in the garden, not just work in it. Above all, she discusses how to create a garden that’s meaningful in terms of plants you’d like to grow and how you want your space to feel.
For each featured garden in the book, Leslie tells the story of its owner(s) and how it’s a place of wonder for them. She also includes a design takeaway on topics like planting a hillside, using edible flowers, designing a cutting flower bed, making the most of a small space, creating a good mix of seating areas, and laying out a perimeter loop path. These lessons are perfect for the beginner gardener but also offer fresh ideas for the experienced gardener.
Leslie makes environmental justice a key part of her business model and commits to designing and installing at least one garden per year for Black women in the Oakland area. A portion of her client fees goes toward her Black Sanctuary Gardens project, and some of those gardens are featured in the book. Her goal is to create beautiful places for rest and connection in under-served Black communities. In addition, the recipients and their new gardens are photographed to “create imagery that more accurately and inclusively reflects the relationship of Black women and communities with plants and gardens.” Leslie is literally building the more equitable world she wants to live in — and for others to live in.
Garden Wonderland is an excellent book for drawing inspiration for your own garden’s design, for making even a small space more productive, and for thinking about the transformative power of gardens. I highly recommend it.
Book Giveaway
Update 5/1: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to winner Michelle Derviss!
And now — I’m giving away a copy of Garden Wonderland to one lucky winner, courtesy of Ten Speed Press!
HOW TO ENTER
To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post. One comment per person, please.
For an EXTRA entry, pop over to my Instagram and 1) FOLLOW @pamdigging, 2) LIKE my giveaway post dated 4/25, and 3) TAG a friend in the comments!
Giveaway ends Wednesday, 5/1, at 11:59 CDT. Open to U.S. residents 18+ only. No purchase necessary to enter or win. I’ll randomly select and announce the winner on 5/1 and contact the winner by email. The book will be mailed directly from the publisher.
Good luck, y’all!
Disclosure: Ten Speed Press sent me a copy of Garden Wonderland, and I reviewed it at my own discretion and without any compensation. This post, as with everything at Digging, is my personal opinion.
I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!
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Digging Deeper
May 4: Explore “brilliant backyards, perfect pools and pergolas, and outdoor rooms and gardens” on the ATX Outdoor Living Tour on 5/4, 10 am to 3 pm. Landscape architects, designers, and builders will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets are $33.85 for adults, $17.85 for kids age 10-17.
May 11: Tour four Austin gardens on 5/11, from 9 am to 3 pm, on the Inside Austin Gardens Tour. Each garden “is created and cared for by a Travis County Master Gardener and demonstrates realistic gardening practices that inform and inspire.” Tickets are $25, or free for children 12 and under.
May 18: On Austin Home’s Great Outdoors Tour, held 5/18 from 10 am to 3 pm, find “Pinterest-worthy pools and outdoor kitchens to thoughtful plantings and stylish urban density solutions.” Tickets are $30.
May 18: Pop up to Dallas for the 2024 DCMGA Garden Tour on 5/18 from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $18 if purchased online prior to 6 pm on 5/17, or $22 after 6 pm on 5/17 or at the event. For a sneak peek, click here.
June 1-2: Take a self-guided, 2-day tour of ponds and gardens in and around Austin on the annual Austin Pond and Garden Tour, held 6/1 and 6/2, 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $20 to $25.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!
All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Those gardens and the book look amazing!
If every homeowner expected their garden to be a wonderland, what a difference that would make! I’m wondering if all of the gardens are from the western half of the continent? It sounds like it from your description.
So true, Kathy. All the gardens are from her projects in the Oakland area, as I recall.
Looks like a really interesting book! Also, wow that career pivot also inspiring!
There’s so much inspiration in those photos alone! I’ll be checking out this book regardless!
I’ve been so intrigued by the pre-publication photographs from this book , they all look so beautifully styled . But I was unaware that it came with written prose and insights . I’m finding that I’m delving deeper into the philosophical resonance of why people garden or turn to gardening these days . Her background sounds incredibly layered and rich . I hope the books explores and reveals that to the reader . Your review provided us with a great glimpse . Thanks Pam
Thanks, Michelle. Leslie’s book definitely delves into why we garden and the meaning it brings to our lives. I think you’ll enjoy it.
This book sounds lovely! I’m always trying to find garden design inspiration especially for smaller spaces!
So inspired by this woman!
This looks like a wonderful resource.
Swoon!! Love her gardening style, such inspiration ❤️
I love this! I’m also an attorney looking to transition to a career in gardening in my second half of life. Going to tell all my South Florida gardening friends about the book. Thank you!
Cool! Best of luck as you pivot to your new career!
What a wonderful book and giveaway!
She’s indeed an inspiration! I’ve been following since I bought her much earlier book The Beautiful Edible Garden, a must have!
Love the title and focus on meaning and joy in the garden. Just the inspiration I am looking for!
I’ve always loved Leslie’s approach to garden design and environmental justice. Her work brings meaning in some many ways. Thank you for sharing your take —I can’t wait to read the book!
What a great article supporting Pine House and the book. I’ve been looking forward to reading it, and this has me even more excited!
Looks like such a beautiful book that captures exactly what I picture a wonderland to be!
Wow, that looks like a great book! Thanks for the heads-up.
The design aspect of her book sounds and looks intriguing. I wonder how much her horticultural experience in the UK and coastal California would translate to the very different soils and climate we deal with.
Her design ideas are universal. Specific plant choices, as you know, not at all. But we Texans know we have to adapt designs with our own unique climate and soils in mind.
I love books about garden design. If I don’t win the book, I will definitely buy it.
Beautiful photos you’ve posted here. She is very talented!
I’ve been a gardening enthusiast since I was about 15 when I grew nasturtiums in my parents’ yard. I have used Pam’s sheet much method to create a beautiful bed in my front yard where i continue to transform my yard into a pollinator-friendly, native plant “wonderland” and this book sounds like a great step towards achieving that goal…
I’m really glad so many people are using plants in different ways and in different combinations. Thankfully lawns of mostly turf and foundation plantings are giving way to new ways of thinking landscapes.
I am intrigued to see if I can apply some of her ideas to our central Texas gardens, especially her small garden design ideas, but I know I will love looking and drooling over the gardens in the book.
I believe her design ideas are applicable to any location. The plants we’d use will differ, of course.
I love this!
I follow Leslie in Instagram so much inspiration.
She is extremely talented and inspiring. I look forward to reading the book.
So excited about this book!
I had the book delivered the day it was officially released after deciding it was a “must have” in my collection. No need to include me in the giveaway 🙂
I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment anyway, Kris. Happy reading!
The author of this book sounds fascinating- I love reading about people who make such big career pivots! Especially when they are on a mission to make the world a better place. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Beautiful gardens. I love the idea of her work building gardens in Oakland!
My backyard garden is my happy place and seeing the pictures from this book, makes me realize how much more I could incorporate into my space to draw others in and share the beauty of God’s creation! I’d LOVE a copy!
As a Bay Area resident, I look at these beautiful gardens in surrounding communities and wish to have a backyard one day where I can enlist the skills of Pine House Edible Gardens to bring to life!
Thank you for featuring Leslie’s book. I first read about Leslie in one of Jennifer Jewell’s books, so it is great to learn more and see her featured here. Nourishing ourselves, our neighbors and loved ones in our gardens is what it is all about! Can’t wait to learn more when I read the book!
I love your email information and the great photography.
I owned a new/used bookstore in one of my previous lives, and the gardening section was regionally known. I’ve winnowed down my personal collection to what continues to serve as inspiration for the place and time I am now with gardening. Leslie’s story of life pivots and and her approach to creating gardens that are both art and function speak to me and make me want to know more. It’s never too late to pivot and reset!
This book’s designs are wonderful Just what I need as I am in the process of turning my landscape into a prairie wonderland
Very impressive book and garden designer!
It looks like a great book!
Just discovered your website and newsletter! What else could I do on a rainy Sunday?
This is very inspiring!
I’ve been following you and Leslie on Instagram for awhile now. So inspirational! I can’t wait to have my own copy of her beautiful book.
After the devastation in my little garden from the drought and freezes and an extended absence, I had decided not to replace any plants this Spring. But I was lifted up by my bluebonnets and many unexpected plant survivors and have begun a revival, of me and my garden! Leslie’s book seems like just the inspiration I could use now.
I could spend all day looking at those beautiful photos of beautiful gardens!
Can’t wait to take a look at this book!! Leslie’s garden is gorgeous!! I follow you on IG and will add Leslie!! Thanks for all the beautiful inspiration always!
Of course it’s on my list to buy, but it would also be great to win The book seems totally down my alley, Cute and cozy, full of charm a d character.
That is one smart and talented lady. I am sure the gardening world is happy that she settled down to garden design. Despite the fact that the gardens in the book are from her part of the country there are still lessons to be learnt even after many years of gardening which might be applied in the desert. I’d love the chance to turn the pages of her book. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book looks amazing and full of wonderful inspiration
Fabulous and inspiring!
Loving the juxtaposition of design & food growth! As a new North Tx gardener & homeowner, I aspire to this level of gardening.
I love that gardening is a never ending learning adventure! These garden photos are fabulous.
Gardens in the pictures above are beautiful!
Recently discovered your blog, Pam and love reading it to learn more about native plants in central texas.
What a great book. Always looking for books that help in Phoenix Arizona.
I love the career pivot. True inspiration for following your heart’s definition of success rather than ‘conventional wisdom’. And glorious photos. Thanks for turning me onto this.
So inspiring! Another fantastic book! I own both your ‘Lawn Gone” & ” The Water Saving Garden” and love them both. I’ve taken ideas from both books and applied to my own back yard! I’ve been a big fan since becoming a master gardener in 2018. Thank you!@
Another fantastic book! I own both your ‘Lawn Gone” & ” The Water Saving Garden” and love them both. I’ve taken ideas from both books and applied to my own back yard! I’ve been a big fan since becoming a master gardener in 2018. Thank you!