Joining is simple - there's only two rules:
1) Any book about gardening, gardens, or has a garden influence in it is fine, except:
2) No links/reviews about growing substances that are illegal in the United States.
Simple! Oh, and please be sure to read the other participant's reviews, too!
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This month, I'm excited to review:
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques
by Tracy DiSabato-Aust
If you grow perennials, this book should be on your bookshelf!
The first of the book has some advice about design, bed preparation, etc. It's basic information, and if you don't know these things, it's well worth reading. But I have a lot of books on this material, so that's not what impressed me.
In the second section, the author explains the differences between deadheading and cutting back, pinching and pruning, etc. Again, this is basic information that most gardeners probably already know.
So, if I think these parts of the book are mediocre, why am I so excited to review it? For the third section! The third section is worth its weight in gold. Because the third section lists perennials by necessary tasks, specific requirements, and situational recommendations. Here's just a sample of her lists:
1. Perennials that tolerate wet soil
3. Clay busters
8. Deer resistant perennials
15. Perennials that do not rebloom with deadheading
16. Perennials to deadhead to improve the overall appearance of the plant
21. Perennials with self-cleaning flowers
28. Summer and autumn flowering perennials to cut back before flowering for height control
If you're like me, and know only the basics about perennials, but may not be sure exactly which ones to trim back when, you'll love this book!
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| I add a lot of perennials to my rose garden. I need a book that quickly and easily tells me how to take care of them. |
We live in the computer age, where you can find almost any information about plants that you desire with just a few strokes. But I think it would take you hours upon hours to put together these lists if you were to try to research them all. Having them all in one book is, in my opinion, a must-have.
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Now it's your turn! I can't wait to read your review!
This book seriously changed my entire way of gardening. The thought of pruning plants to keep them a certain height, or to encourage new growth in a certain color, really opened the door to thoughts like, "Oh, and if I plant this sun lover in just a little bit of shade, I wonder if it will stay slightly smaller... in that case, it would fit perfectly here." If I had never read this, my garden wouldn't be the same!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you, too, would recommend this book. I knew I didn't know much about perennials, but I didn't realize how very little I knew until I got this book. It answers all my questions!
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ReplyDeleteI'm back. This looks like a wonderful book and it's just what I need for my perennial bed. Thanks for the heads up on this book. :0) David
ReplyDeleteIt's an older book, but oh, what a great resource. I think you'll really enjoy having all that information at your fingertips.
DeleteThe lists sound really helpful, Holley. Another book to add to the wish list, I think.
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few on my list, too. I need to read faster!
DeleteWhen a novice grower told me about this book, I thought, well I already know all that. Ha! The more you know, the more you know how much you don't know! This book is a great reference for any gardener at any age or stage!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you, too, think it's a great book. I was amazed at how much information was packed into those lists!
DeleteOh I must have this book...perfect for any gardener.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, Donna. I think it would take years of experience for a gardener to compile all this information.
DeleteGreat point that although the internet has its purpose book cannot be rivaled for compiling information into one place. Not to mention the wonderful pictures that books provide. Images in garden books are generally more inspiring to me than anything that is written.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed how much information we garden bloggers give for no cost, but some books can not be duplicated in a blog post or anywhere else I know of on the internet. And yes, the photographs in some books are just amazing!
DeleteThis book sounds like a great reference tool. I could use some pruning advice in particular! The listed items in the book's third section also seem to suggest really helpful information. Plants that re-bloom without deadheading. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few lists I plan to really use in the future - plants that rebloom without deadheading is just one! I think using this book will make not only a much neater and prettier garden, but also less work!
DeleteSounds like an excellent book, Holley. As little as I know about perennials, I NEED that book. Thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I needed it, too, Betsy. I just plop perennials in between the roses, without much regard for their needs. But now I'll be able to tend to them like a real gardener! :)
DeleteThis is a great book! Just about every garden blogger I respect recommends it. It is all about being in control of your garden. I dream of heading in that direction, but it is a long way off for me. I love my rampant self seeders too much! By the way, I " clicked here to enter " thinking it would lead to the comment section about Tracy's book. Hope you like my impromptu book review.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I don't have too many self seeders (I'm too much of an aggressive weeder), but I love what you say about this book being about control of your garden. That is so true! Glad you joined in, too!
DeleteHolley, I'm interested in good garden books, too. I love to plant the perennial plants near roses bushes.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of gardeners also read gardening books, and I started this meme so we could share the ones we have found fun, or valuable. I have never known exactly where to turn when looking for how to care for my perennials. But this book answers every question I have about them.
DeleteI think I will have to get that book! I have wet soil and clay soil (although composting helps), and its always a challenge to find plants that will grow in that area. Thank you for reviewng this book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it as much as I do. It has a lot of lists that have helped me in the garden. It would help even more, if only I had the time to do all I should!
DeleteI love that book too! It's so practical. The lists at the end are awesome. Normally I go for eye candy books (sigh), but this one has actual content, beyond what you'd find in a typical encyclopedia. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteThe lists are wonderful. Some nice photos, but you're right - it's not a book with a lot of eye candy. But, such valuable information!
DeleteThose lists would be quite helpful. This is a book I did not know and it sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteThis book is new to me, too. But I'm so glad I found it. As I add more and more perennials to my garden, I needed a book to tell me what to do when with them!
DeleteHurray, the local library has this book. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look like a book that will 'wow' you. But, before you return this book to the library, I predict you'll either be writing all those lists out, or buying your own book!
DeleteHolley, this looks so useful--the kind of information you always find yourself wondering about but can never find. So many sources tell you plants' basic requirements but not what to do with them in the meantime!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed how much information there was on perennials in this book. Well worth buying. I know what to do with shrubs, usually, but perennials are all so different. It's nice to have a guide!
DeleteSorry I missed linking in (two months in a row). I just don't read as many gardening books in spring now that I'm not stuck indoors. But this one seems like a very valuable one to check out. Seems like it could save a lot of time and possibly money (buying the wrong plants). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI know that everyone is busy outside - gardening! :) I have found it hard to keep up on my blog reading. As for the book, yes, definitely valuable - at least to me, as I never know what to cut back when, etc. It's like a wise gardener telling a newer gardener what to do. Something I needed!
DeleteOh, that's a good one. I've been a bit swamped with crazy busy days at work, hauling water for all my plants, and the graduation. I'll be back with a book review next month. I get so many great reading ideas from this meme!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about the books others have read, too. Summer is a crazy time. The days are longer, but it still seems like we could all use even more daylight hours! Throw in anything non-gardening on top of it, and it seems you're automatically behind (or, at least, I am!). :)
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