Winner Best International Garden Design Award
from Gardenista

Winner of the Independent Publishers Silver Award for
Best Garden Book

Look Inside
Look Inside

A Tea Garden in Tivoli – American Garden Design Inspired by the Way of Tea is a guide to garden design and flower arranging woven around the story of a unique garden in the Hudson Valley of New York.

This is an intriguing and accessible introduction to the Japanese garden aesthetic for the backyard gardener by veteran Zen and Tea student Bettina Mueller.

Drawing from her decades long study of the Japanese Tea tradition where great—even legendary—gardens are small by necessity, Bettina sets out to turn her 1/8 acre backyard in the small Hudson Valley village of Tivoli, New York into a private world of beauty and tranquility.

Read the reviews below.

  • Hardcover: 196 pages
  • Language: English
  • ISBN: 978-0-578-16202-7

Discount price for online orders. Have Bettina sign your book on checkout. FREE shipping for all US ordersSaveSave

$29.00

Reviews

“I’ve been looking through my copy of your book, which gives me such pleasure.  It’s so beautifully photographed, and communicates a sense of serenity, grounded simplicity, and creative possibility.  I think I’m going to be picking it up at times just to give myself a welcome sense of calm.”

“I’ve just spent the afternoon reading your illuminating book, and I must tell you how utterly entranced I was.  It is not a subject that I have been interested in or cared about, but your words evoked both intense interest and gratifying appreciation.  What a master lesson in aesthetics — and in being fully human.”

“Congratulations on winning the Gardenista competition. The book is gorgeous and your garden breathtaking.  I’ve always felt that when Tea is transplanted (so to speak) it needs to adapt to its new “soil” and culture while keeping the spirit of the original. Your garden embodies the idea of adaptation so beautifully. It is firmly rooted. I especially liked seeing it in such well-defined seasons. Your win was well deserved.”

For anyone who has considered taking on the challenge of transplanting Japanese culture to a new setting, here is a great example, with hints on gardens, tea ceremony, and flower arranging.”
Marc Peter Keane author of The Japanese Garden and Japanese Garden Design

“Sublime! Wonderful book about a wonderful garden.”

“Your book is absolutely lovely, from beginning to end. I intend to spend some part of every day savoring each page, but for now, let me just say, ‘Brava!’

I read your book from cover to cover yesterday, and ended up with such a peaceful feeling , it was like a meditation. Serene visuals, the tone of your calm intentionality toward peace in every step of building the space came through. The pacing, layout, and even the green pages between sections were all perfect. That book and garden are truly your voice. This project ( the book itself) is a fully realized creation. It gives the reader a vacation to the beauty, calmness and serenity you have created. “

Despite attending “the way of tea” several times in Japan, I learned more from you in one brief hour, than I did after a dozen trips to Kyoto.  We were mesmerized by the garden.

“Your book just arrived. Beautiful and inspiring! Even better than my high expectations.”

“Zen student and award-winning author Bettina Mueller’s labor of love started as a bare lot adjoining her 1860 farmhouse in Tivoli. Having bought the house, she began transforming the barren grounds into an exquisite, Japanese-inspired tea garden.

Imbued with the aesthetic tradition of harmony and simplicity, the living gem won Gardenista‘s 2015 Best Garden Design Award.

Far more than just luscious photographs, the book delineates the principles and techniques of Zen garden design, tea, and chabana floral design. It’s sure to inspire.”  – Chronogram Magazine

First, let me thank you for your magnificent book. The photos are stunning and the words so beautiful. Ultimate zen book! It’s one of the most gorgeous books I’ve ever seen.”

“The use of simple, rustic materials reinforces the beauty of the natural surroundings.”
Michelle Slatalla Gardenista.com

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