This text presents examples of planting design that have attracted the status of an art form and explains how they were created. The first section traces the history of planting design from the gardens of Ancient Greece and Rome to the small gardens of the 20th century. The second part is devoted to the various styles of great planting, which are taken from around the world and involve garden designers such as Beatrix Farrand to artist-gardeners such as Monet. The final section provides an explanation of the principles of planting design along with original plans, sketches, paintings and photographs.