Whether you are after a minimalist or maximalist aesthetic, architect and plant whisperer Jason Chongue will walk you through the myriad possibilities when bringing life to your home spaces, inside and out. A Designer in The Garden is a book in three parts: First, it presents pictorial guides to plants and planters. Defining their form and illustrating how they grow and matching planters to plants, textures and tones. It also talks through how to start; how to budget; how to establish the basis of your design. Second, it is a handbook of blueprints and recipes for people who consider plants an important player in a well-styled urban home but want expert help choosing and executing a vision. The 50 blueprints and recipes include illustrations, photography, floor plans where applicable, a kit of parts much like an Ikea installation guide, a shopping list (including plant types, planter shapes, potting mix types), and an ongoing care sheet. Examples include: a simple potted eco-system; potted cluster gardens; the minimal balcony; the Mediterranean balcony; the tiny terrace with herbs and citrus; the lush, narrow fence line; the indoor winter garden; the indoor hanging garden; the fresh living room; beside clusters; and the green workspace. Third, is the essential guide to a flourishing garden: pruning; deadheading; repotting; aerating; espalier; feeding for flower and produce; pest prevention; seasonality; understanding plant types; when to plant; and when to sow.

Author Jason Chongue founded The Plant Society in 2016 and his clients include: Aesop, Mecca, Herbert Smith Freehills, Country Road, GPT - Melbourne Central, Vanguard, Kookai, Birkenstock, Keoma, Hecker Guthrie, Simone Haag, Bates Smart, JLL, Industry Beans, Hayball, Westfield and private residences.