The Gravel Garden: Visionary, Drought-Defying, Naturalistic Designs

An introduction to gravel gardening, featuring 20 gardens across the US and Europe that are leading the way in this ecological, drought-defying, low-maintenance technique.

Gravel gardening is a drought-defying, low-maintenance gardening technique in which deep-rooted, drought tolerant perennials are planted in a deep layer of gravel that suppresses weeds and conserves water. In The Gravel Garden, longtime horticulturist Jeff Epping explores the art of gravel gardening as a naturalistic approach with huge promise for the future of ecological landscaping.

Alongside 20 gorgeously photographed gardens in both the US and Europe, including Epping's own home gravel garden in Wisconsin, the book offers insights from leading naturalistic designers such as Roy Diblik and Cassian Schmidt, as well as practical techniques for various scales and applications, from intimate home settings to expansive public and commercial spaces.

Gardeners at any scale will be inspired to create their own beautiful garden with the resilience necessary to stand up to our changing climate.

Author: Jeff Epping,Teresa Woodard
Publisher: Timber Press (OR)
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.65lbs
Size: 10.00h x 8.20w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781643264820


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/18/2026

About the Author

Jeff Epping's passion for plants and gardening is reflected in his 35-year career as an award-winning horticulturist and garden designer. During his 28 years as Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, he transformed a lawn-laden landscape into a nationally acclaimed public garden, known for its artistic and innovative, plant-driven designs and ecologically sound gardening techniques. Alongside that role, he also ran his own design and consulting business for 25 years and continues to do so today, specializing in eco-conscious designs for projects ranging from small home gardens to expansive business campuses. Jeff generously shared his expertise through hundreds of classes, workshops, tours, and lectures. His insightful writing has been featured in leading gardening publications like Fine Gardening and Better Homes and Gardens, and his work has been recognized by The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others.

An award-winning garden writer, Teresa brings a background in magazine writing and gardening experience. She is author of Garden to the Max and co-author of American Roots, and the forthcoming Grow A Chaos Garden. During her 16-year writing career, she has written and produced garden content for regional and national publications including Better Homes & Gardens and Country Gardens and currently serves as contributing garden editor at Midwest Living magazine and content creator for digital garden media. She has won Gold and Silver Media Awards from GardenComm. Outside of work, she gardens at her home near Columbus, Ohio, volunteers at an urban garden teaching youth about growing food and advises America in Bloom communities across the country.