The first part of this book explores Arabella Lennox-Boyd's philosophy and establishes the principles of her approach to design: the importance of relating the garden not only to the landscape but also to the spirit of the house and the individuality of the owner; how to establish the bare bones of a design - enclosing garden rooms, and opening up garden space; how to use vertical structures to best effect; and how to clothe bare bones with plants appropriate to the type of garden. Design ideas for everything from paving and pergolas to perennial plantings burst from every page, captured in Andrew Lawson's atmospheric images and Lennox-Boyd's plans.

The second part of the book looks in detail at more than 20 very different gardens, many these are private and never photographed before.