The Dynamic Landscape: Design, Ecology and Management of Naturalistic Urban Planting

by Nigel Dunnett (Editor), James Hitchmough (Editor)

Overview

The last quarter of the 20th century witnessed a burgeoning interest in the ecological or naturally inspired use of vegetation in the designed landscape. This has since developed into a strong design aesthetic in the field of landscape architecture. Building on the hugely successful first edition, Dunnett and Hitchmough bring this volume up to date with fully revised chapters, new additions and enhanced visual features. Organised into clearly structured sections, presenting an overview of the building blocks and the process for design, The Dynamic Landscape advances a fusion of scientific and ecological planning design philosophy that addresses the need for more sustainable designed landscapes. The first edition presented a major statement on the design, implementation and management of ecologically inspired landscape vegetation. With contributions from individuals at the forefront of developments in the field, in both Europe and North America, this second edition provides an important synthesis of current thinking and high-quality imagery to illustrate and support the text. This book will be an invaluable addition to any professional landscape designer's library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367245887
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/15/2025
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Nigel Dunnett is Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture in the School of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield.

James Hitchmough is Professor Emeritus of Horticultural Ecology in the School of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction  2. The Dynamic Nature of Plant Communities: Pattern and Process in Designed Plant Communities  3. Management of Nature-Like Designed Vegetation  4. People and Naturalistic Vegetation: the Social and Cultural Dimensions of Design  5. Designing Urban Woodlands: A Dynamic Approach  6. Shrubs and Small Trees as Nature-Like Communities  7. Perennial Herbaceous Vegetation  8. Planting in and Around Water  9. Ruderals: Annuals and Short-Lived Dynamic Plants  10. Urban Green Infrastructure: Transformational Urban Greening

Editorial Reviews

“The Dynamic Landscape was a transformative book for me, introducing an entire world of ecological horticulture that profoundly shaped my thinking. It broke down the silos between landscape architecture, horticulture, and ecology, revealing how their integration can lead to innovative design approaches. This re-issue promises even more practical insights, drawing on 20 years of hands-on experience from the world’s leading practitioners.”

Thomas Rainer, designer, co-author of Planting in a Post-Wild World 

“Rarely do we recognise the value of answers, no matter how brilliant, to questions we’re yet to ask. The first edition of The Dynamic Landscape was way ahead of its time, but to some extent gardeners and design practitioners have begun to catch up, and ask the questions that this remarkable book so presciently answered. This new edition casts the thinking even further into the future, and draws us – almost prophetically – into a widespread adoption of its hope-instilling insights.”

Michael McCoy, garden designer and writer/host of ABC TV series Dream Gardens

“I particularly appreciate the great impetus that the book can provide for planting designers and landscape architects to think conceptionally and to realize a new urban vegetation of the future. There is currently no other book that answers these important questions of plant use and urban vegetation planning in such a well-founded and application-orientated way while remaining easy to read and understand. A must for every professional but also for interested laymen.”

Cassian Schmidt, landscape designer, author, professor, and director of Hermannshof botanical garden

From the Publisher