The Design Puzzle's Table of Contents

Bobbie Schwartz's "The Design Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together" is a compilation of articles written for several publications, now put into a logical progression. Here is the Table of Contents. The book is divided into four sections that discuss the elements of design, using plant material (mostly perennials and ornamental grasses) in a designed way, plant material that works in specific site situations and seasons, and some humorous reflections on plant obsession, along with individual topics in these sections.

Also see "The Design Puzzle" page for information on how to order the book and reviews.

Elements Of Design

Design Principles: Order, Unity and Rhythm

Design Principles: Repetition, Variety, Balance and Interconnection

Design Principles: Massing, Emphasis and Scale

Design Principles: Color

Design Principles: Line

Design Principles: Form

Design Principles: Texture

The Perennial Garden as a Jigsaw Puzzle

The Whole Can Be Greater Than the Sum of the Parts

Paris Gardens: Another Perspective on Design

Get Your Dirt Ready: The Importance of Soil Preparation

Ten Tips for Combining Perennials

Design Tools

Color: The Great Enhancer

Bulbs: Hidden Treasures

Nature: Butterfly Gardening

Culinary Plants: Herbs in the Perennial Garden

Pot It! Containers in the Garden

Ornament: What It Is and Why We Use It

Ornament: The Importance of Placement

Ornament: Complementary Plants

Creating The Design: Plant Material

Old Favorites - New Cultivars, Part I

Old Favorites - New Cultivars, Part II

Old Favorites - New Cultivars, Part III

Designing with Ornamental Grasses: Foliage Color, Inflorescence and Winter Interest

Designing with Ornamental Grasses: Color Echo, Variety and Lighting

Designing with Ornamental Grasses: Placement

Perennials and Ornamental Grasses for Form and Function: Groundcovers

Perennials for Form and Function: Hedgers and Edgers

Perennials for Form and Function: Long Bloomers

Perennials for Form and Function: Low Maintenance

Perennial Garden Maintenance: Low but Not No

The Foliage Palette: Shapes and Textures

The Foliage Palette: Green, Yellow, Silver and Blue

The Foliage Palette: Red and Purple

The Foliage Palette: Variegated Perennials and Grasses

The Foliage Palette: Variegated Shrubs

A Botanical Veil: See-Through Plants

Conditions Of Design: Site Situations And Seasons That Influence Design

The Sunny Wet Garden: A Golden Opportunity

The Sunny Wet Garden: Another Golden Opportunity

Filling the Shadows with Light: Perennials for the Shady Garden, Part 1

Filling the Shadows with Light: Perennials for the Shady Garden, Part 2

Filling the Shadows with Light: Spring

Filling the Shadows with Light: Summer

Filling the Shadows with Light: Fall & Winter

Filling the Shadows with Light: Tables of Plants by Season

Filling the Shadows with Light: Woody Ornamentals for the Shady Garden

The Fall Garden

The Fall Garden Revisited: Foliage

The Fall Garden Revisited: Seedheads

The Garden in Winter

Putting the Perennial Garden to Bed

Reflections On Design

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

Lavender Envy

Musings of a Frenzied Plant Junkie