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"Federal Twist is set on a ridge above the Delaware River in western New Jersey. It is a naturalistic garden that has no utilitarian or leisure uses and the site is not an obvious choice for a garden (heavy clay soil, poorly drained: quick death for any plants not ecologically suited to it). The physical garden, its plants and its features, is of course an appealing and pleasant place to be but Federal Twist's real charm and significance lie in its intangible aspects: its changing qualities and views, the moods and emotions it evokes, and its distinctive character and sense of place. This book charts the author's journey in making such a garden. How he made a conscious decision not to improve the land, planted competitive plants into rough grass, experimented with sustainable plant communities. And how he worked with light to provoke certain moods and allowed the energy of the place, chance, and randomness to have its say."
About the author
James Golden's garden has been described as "one of the most game-changing American gardens" and has featured in
The New York Times,
Gardens Illustrated,
Horticulture,
Better Homes and Gardens,
Elle Décor, and in several books. British broadcaster Monty Don chose Federal Twist for his 2019 BBC Gardener's World series,
Monty Don's American Gardens, and commented, "it made me rethink what a garden can be and do." James blogs at
View from Federal Twist.
Summary
Federal Twist's charm and significance lie in its intangible aspects: its changing qualities and views, the moods and emotions it evokes, and its distinctive character and sense of place. Part garden design and part philosophy, this important book is for naturalistic and ecological gardeners and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between gardens, nature and themselves.
