'Inspirational' gardening author John Brookes dies

Landscape designer and bestselling author John Brookes has died, aged 84.

His long-term publisher, DK, paid tribute to Brookes in a statement as "one of the most influential garden designers of the last 50 years" following his death on 16th March.

Brookes wrote eight books for DK, among which The Indoor Garden Book (1986) and The Small Garden Book (1989). The latter was described by DK as his “greatest triumph”. It sold 365,000 copies worldwide and, when it was reissued in 2006 in a new format as Small Garden, it sold another 135,000 copies around the world according to the publisher.

Mary-Clare Jerram, DK publisher, said he was a “much loved” and “inspirational” garden designer. “His Work was deeply admired at DK - several staff were fortunate to have their gardens designed by him - and he will be missed by all who had the pleasure and stimulation of working with him,” she added.