careytearose , The Comfortable Garden looks great. I put it on hold at the library. I can't wait for it to come in!

There are so many wonderful books out there, it is hard to choose.

Here are the first few that come to mind:

Shady Retreats: 20 Plans for Colorful, Private Spaces in Your Backyard
by Barbara W. Ellis, et al.
I keep buying copies of this book, I loan it out not expecting it back!

Deckscaping: Gardening and Landscaping on and around Your Deck by Barbara W. Ellis
Another winner from Barbara Ellis, this has many clever ideas, and good info on suggested plants.

The Gardener's Palette by Sydney Eddison
Pure eye candy, wonderful inspiration for color schemes. This is often available remaindered.

Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass by Liz Primeau
This book will help give you the courage to rip out that boring expanse of Poa pratensis. The examples are mostly Canadian, so this is good for Northern US gardeners.

Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book by Jeni Webber
This book is a collection of ideas, in the tradition of the Taunton Press reprint books. It does not have the personality of the Primeau book, but it is a good resource.

Ann Lovejoy's Organic Garden Design School
This has the most on actual garden design, and much inspiration on using low-care, organic methods.

Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes by Sally Wasowski et al.
This is very appropriate for my upper midwest US location, and has much detailed info on plants.

I am more well read on plants than on hardscape, so my list is horticulture heavy. I'd love to see other recommendations on the landscape architecture side.

-VW