How to build your own Eden

MANILA, Philippines - Dolly Q. Perez, the country’s first landscape architect, has released Your Garden, Your Eden, her second book and first on professionally designed landscaped gardens.

Perez began her practice in 1962 and defined landscape architecture for landmarks such as the Luneta Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, and the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Mount Samat.

But even in the midst of her major projects, she says she was happiest doing residential gardens. “Perhaps the reason is that in private homes, I was interacting with persons and families who were personally interested in the project. Excitement would build up as the garden space progressed from bare grounds to verdant landscaped greens.”

Sharing the knowledge she gained from her many years of experience is a personal dream for Perez. “This book is meant to help you flesh out concepts and inspire you in your efforts to achieve your own pocket of paradise,” she says, “…to materialize each one’s Eden in his own backyard.”

Your Garden, Your Eden covers how to build your own Eden, from basic considerations for the foundation of the garden, to the features to incorporate in it and the finishing touches to give it “life.” The book includes over a hundred photographs of stunning gardens, from the simple and modest to the lush and forest-inspired.

Even with more individuals and families now residing in high-rises with limited space for personal gardens, Perez believes it is possible to create a personal paradise. “For us designers, size is not essential to derive satisfaction and fulfillment. It is what you make out of the space — whether it is a hacienda with acres of land or a tiny balcony in a high-rise. I enjoy designing space-challenged projects, as you will see in my book.”

The book will be formally launched on Oct. 26 at the Penthouse of Discovery Suites and will thereafter be sold in major bookstores.