Garden to the Max

“Flipping through the pages of this beautifully designed book reveals a riot of color that fully supports its title–even the table of contents is printed on a neon-yellow background. The compendium of 20 big, bright, bold gardens from across the United States–and profiles of their creators–provides a wealth of inspiration to gardeners who believe that more is more.” –Newsday“Over the top, extravagant, lush, and breathtaking … In a much-needed counterpoint to stripped-bare minimalist garden design, gardening journalist Woodard and photographer Bob Stefko collaborate in this indulgent, cross-country catalog of… amazing, individually owned garden…This is both a lavish coffee-table tome and an invitation for garden innovation and thoughtful landscaping.” –Booklist“Garden to the Max is an amazing distillation of American horticulture that details the creativity of home gardeners throughout the country. Each garden is designed with a dramatic flair that captures each individual’s personal approaches to plant collecting, design, and creating spaces with ecological capacity. This book captures the “best-of-the-best” in American design with the Mountsier-Hardie garden of geometric whimsy; JP Malocsay’s pollinator wonderland perched above Pittsburgh; Irvin Ettien’s tropical oasis in the heart of Indiana, and the iconic work of Lauren Springer at high elevations in Colorado. This work will inspire every gardener who believes that gardening is a dynamic act of artistic and personal expression.” –Andrew Bunting, VP of horticulture, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, organizer of the Philadelphia Flower Show“Gardening is rarely a casual occupation. As an art form, creating great gardens throughout history has resulted from of a sort of manic obsession. In Garden to the Max, Teresa Woodard captures the best diverse American examples of this passionate occupation. Gardens, and gardening are ascendant once again, especially in this post-pandemic world, and Woodard realizes importantly that gardens are best understood as self-portraits of their creators.”–James Brayton Hall, President and CEO, The Garden Conservancy“Gardens are as much about the people who create them as the plants that grow in them and the concepts behind them. Teresa Woodard expertly captures all of it in Garden to the Max, a book that celebrates exuberance and no-holds-barred gardening in a way that will inspire even the most timid gardener. And, the stories of 20 creative and joyful gardens and their gardeners are brought to life through Bob Stefko’s stunning photography.”–Erin Schanen, Creator and Head Plant Lover, The Impatient Gardener“The vibrant gardens in Garden to the Max, and the stories of the extraordinary gardeners who created them, bring to mind one word – EXUBERANT! Vastly different in style, each garden embodies their creator’s passion for color, creativity, innovative use of space and above all PLANTS!… all with a Maximalist’s embrace of abundance. Those that appreciate bold style partnered with good design will enjoy this book as much as I did. The wonderfully worded text describing the gardens and lessons from their creators, together with the spectacular photography, illustrate perfectly that good design comes in all forms and knows no bounds.” –Sean Conway, author, garden designer, and producer of the TV series Cultivating Life“To enter the pages of Garden to the Max is to enter realms of enchantment and personal expression. Enjoy each visit, absorb each space, and relax in the pleasure of each gardener’s passionate creation!” –Hutton Wilkinson, Owner and Creative Director, Tony Duquette Inc, Dawnridge Estate and Gardens“Teresa Woodard guides the reader on an exquisite road trip across America showcasing how gardening to the max can transform public and private spaces. With incredible storytelling and eyepopping photography, Garden to the Max is a maximalist journey into bold and innovative ways to create beautiful and vibrant places. Prepare to be inspired!” –Laura Kunkle, Executive Director of America in Bloom

Teresa Woodard brings a background in magazine writing and gardening experience. During her 14-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. She has won Gold and Silver Media Awards from GardenComm. Outside of work, she gardens at her home near Columbus, Ohio, and volunteers at an urban garden teaching youth about growing food.

Bob Stefko is a Chicago based photographer with a career spanning nearly 20 years as an editorial and commercial shooter. During that time he has photographed a diverse range of subjects including Fortune 100 CEOs, Olympic athletes, and Presidential Gardens. His work regularly appears in Better Homes and Gardens, Forbes, Wine Spectator and Midwest Living magazine. Bob has completed two books on travel and food for Globe Pequot and Meredith Corporation. His travel images from around the globe are represented and sold worldwide by Getty Images. His work has been featured in Photo District News many times. When not snapping pictures you can usually find Bob living his secret life as a general contractor, urban gardener, wannabe chef or tinkering in his basement shop.