Combining clever ideas with practical advice, this innovative book reveals the secrets of turning an outdoor space into a fantasy world for children and a delightful garden for adults.

A garden that provides mystery, adventure, and fun for children, as well as beauty and relaxation for their parents, is now within every family's reach. No matter how small the space, how tight the budget, or how limited the time to spend on gardening, anyone can create a garden that meets the needs of each member of the family. Far from compromising the dreams of gardeners, this book shows how plant-loving adults and exuberant children can successfully coexist in the same space.

In addition to well-designed garden plans for a variety of spaces, the book provides easy-to-follow instructions for making simple outdoor furniture and play equipment, including a full-scale treehouse, a rustic double swing covered with climbing plants, and a built-in barbeque ideal for family parties. A directory of tough plants that are likely to survive the rigors of children's play is included, as well as a listing of plants that serve as borders to protect more fragile flowers and greenery.

Inspiring as well as practical, the book contains dozens of ideas for redesigning an existing garden or creating a new one that is both a safe play environment and a place where the whole family can relax and enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of the natural world.

About the Author

Bunny Guinness is a distinguished British garden designer who has won prizes at London's Chelsea Flower Shows for her innovative creations. Among her outstanding projects was a "Wind in the Willows" garden for children.