Book Review: Gardentopia

Jan Johnsen's 2019 book Gardentopia is an unusual—and unusually interesting—gardening book for avid growers with plots of any size. Johnsen, who according to the Introduction has spent over forty years as a landscape designer, is also described as a popular writer on the website GardenDesign.com (as stated by Jim Peterson, also of the same site, in the opening reviews). Based on her know-how as evidenced both in the text and with a myriad of gorgeous photos, it's no wonder Johnsen has found longevity and success in her field.

Landscape-designer-turned-writer Johnsen sections her book into five overall concepts: "Garden Design and Artful Accent Tips"; "Walls, Patios, Walks, and Steps"; "Theme Gardens"; Color in the Garden"; and "Plants and Planting." Each area is chock full of her wit and wisdom, including inspirational ideas big and small. One of this reviewer's favorites was the use of computer-aided paint matching to perfectly pair garden objects and actual flora. Other suggestions of note include the rain chain in place of a downspout, thereby creating a water-saving musical instrument of sorts, and using overhead planters hung at different heights to create a plant "chandelier."

At times, Johnsen's language seems to ascribe an almost magical, and certainly tranquil, quality to gardens. This is perhaps the most intriguing element to her writing, and one that pairs quite beautifully with her more mundane and practical approach to landscape design. By the close of the book, the reader can imagine how their own garden can become a sort of floral utopia.

As the reader does advance through the plethora of tips, strategies, and ideas, they may find themselves pausing to guess the meaning of the upcoming passage's title. Johnsen is quite clever with such labels as
"Find the Power Spot," "Respect the Genius of the Place," and "Try Some Yellow and Call Me in the Morning."

As a special bonus, Johnsen shares photos of various worthwhile gardens open to the public, encouraging visits to such locals as the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, an engaging garden that invites visitors to experience plants through every sense.

There are a few unusual characteristics of Gardentopia that are worth noting. For one, the entire book is set up with a numbering system rather than a more traditional formatting style. The numbering stretches from one chapter into another, capping out at tip #135. Johnsen suggests this format is to make the points more easily digestible, and they certainly do seem so. However, as the content flows from one section to another, the reader may find themselves needing to check into which section they have drifted. In addition, there were numerous references to Eastern (e.g., Japanese) philosophies related to gardens and to life. Some readers may find this appealing, while others may find it off-putting.

All in all, Gardentopia: Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces is an engaging, enchanting read for gardeners hoping to fashion their own "outdoor space of delight and serenity."