Best West Region Gardening
In response to this natural evolution, the editors of Sunset-the West's most trusted source of gardening information for more than 80 years-have completely redesigned and updated The Western Garden Book in this new 2012 Ninth Edition. The New Western Garden Book features include: A photo gallery shows the West's most innovative gardens, from all-edibles front yards to stylish water-wise and fire-wise gardens to living walls and green roofs-all with ideas you can use. For more than half a century, Sunset has been helping readers remodel their homes and improve their lives.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"No reference to past or common names."
"However, if you're in a pinch for time, you'll probably find the most USEFUL pages to be the first 30 or so (the ones that break plants into groups by regions and shade requirements and whatnot)."
"Very informative on various plants, scrubs, & trees, & it helped a lot in plotting out my new drought tolerant garden."
"The Bible of western garden books!"
"A complete referance guide to plants and planting."
"Have had one of these for years but after an 11-year stint in the Pacific Northwest, I lost everything and had to start over."
"I do NOT have a green thumb."
"Sent it back."
Inspiring, practical and richly photographed, this comprehensive guide offers creative ideas and DIY projects using beautiful low-maintenance, water-wise plants Succulents are the ultimate easy-care plant: versatile, effortless to grow both indoors and outdoors, and drought tolerant. Robin Stockwell is the founder of Succulent Gardens in Castroville, CA.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"SUCCULENTS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOOSING, DESIGNING, AND GROWING 200 EASY CARE PLANTS is a typical Sunset book, with the first 125 pages (of 288) devoted to "Inspirations"--photographs of mature succulent gardens located in the U.S. West."
"This book is excellent at describing and showing a plethora succulent species and subspecies, where to plant, and how to care for these awesome plants."
"This was purchased as a Christmas gift but after thumbing through it I'm going to have to get one for myself!"
"Beautiful pictures and very interesting book."
"Good information and very helpful."
"This is beautiful book, but it is only for those wanting to add succulents to their landscape This doesn’t apply to me here in zone 7b."
"My wife liked it so much."
"Wonderful informative book."
Complete instructions for growing over 190 vegetables, herbs, berries, fruits, nuts, and tropical fruits in the ground and in containers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It gave me excellent details and all of my vegetables I was growing from seed have sprouted right away and are already being planted without issue. It has some great details and I think it goes a bit more in depth on some of the plants compared to the Sunset's 2014 Western Garden Book."
"Even if you can't grow some of the stuff, it's an interesting read on how papaya, bannas and jicama grow even though I can't grow them in Idaho."
"This is a great book for experienced gardeners and newbies!"
"I have no gardening experience at all--if I have a green thumb, it's a medical problem, not botanical skills--but I recently completely relandscaped my back yard and added a raised vegetable garden and fruit trees and vines."
"I love this book I have learned so much from it."
"This book of edibles is a disappointment coming from Sunset."
"It helps with edible gardening in the western states."
Best Desert Climate Gardening
Succulents are hot. "In her new book, Succulents Simplified:Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties , Baldwin even tells of a Jade plant that has lasted for more than two decades in her garden with various stages of neglect! "Anyone who knows Debra Lee Baldwin is aware of her extraordinary prowess as an author, writer, photographer, and artist...her book, Succulents Simplified , is a work of art." From quick and easy succulent rosettes for bouquets, to teeny tiny mint-tin gardens, to succulent-topped pumpkins there's a project in this book for even the most craft-challenged."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Her first two books, Designing with Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens, are still the most thoughtful, in-depth guides to those topics available. That's where Debra's new book, Succulents Simplified, comes in. Succulents Simplified has three sections: · How to grow and design with succulents successfully. · How-to projects that showcase succulents. · Debra's top 100 easy-care succulents. Even though I'm a landscaping professional, I'm definitely no succulent expert, so having Debra's keep-it-simple tips for how to succeed with them are incredibly useful to me. What I love best about this section is that Debra gives us the tools to create our own projects from her instructions - not only is there endless variety in terms of which succulents you choose, but each project has huge potential for you to personalize it and make it your own in other ways. I adore the in-depth information in her other two books and refer to them frequently, but I think the ease-of-use, inspirational photos and DIY projects, and the simple reference guide to the most common and noteworthy succulents is going to make this my favorite of the three to recommend people start with, because it has a little bit of everything you need, no matter how deep your interest in succulents."
"Perfect."
"Since I live in the southwestern U.S. in the fifth year of drought, this book has helped me change over to many less thirsty, but lovely plants."
"beautiful book but for my taste I preferred to see more technical information (simple sun, water and type of soil info) in an organized way like a small table before any plant description about the Succulents described."
"This book seems like a really good introduction to successfully growing succulents."
Best Regional
This simple revelation about the food web—and it is an intricate web, not a chain—is the driving force in Bringing Nature Home .” — The New York Times As development and subsequent habitat destruction accelerate, there are increasing pressures on wildlife populations. Such an imbalance, Tallamy declares, can lead to a weakened food chain that will no longer be able to support birds and other animal life. With nothing less than the future of North American biodiversity at stake, Tallamy imparts an encouraging message: it's not too late to save the ecosystem-sustaining matrix of insects and animals, and the solution is as easy as replacing alien plants with natives. Haggas, Carol Bringing Nature Home opens our eyes to an environmental problem of staggering proportions. ( Warwick Beacon ). "This book will not only foster a love of the outdoors in all who read it, but also create a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate web of wildlife outside your door." "In an area that is as open and wooded as ours, we may not be aware that there is more to the need for natives than concern about invasive species that upset an ecosystem. "Tallamy makes such a compelling case for the importance of insects to birds that I’ve completely changed the way I garden. "Tallamy illustrates well how gardeners have contributed greatly to tipping the environment off balance and how they are equally able to turn the trend … Plants and insects are integrally intertwined.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book has made me aware of the decrease in using native plants which results in fewer pollinators in our gardens."
"Just took a class on Prairies in Minnesota and I have a bit of land I am returning to prairie land."
"A good tutorial on why native plants are a better fit for your local environment than the run of the mill nursery or catalog stock."
"this book should be required reading in every school."
"Excellent book,very informative,on why we need to bring natural plants,back to there,natural environment."
"This is the most important book I have read this year."
"This book is packed full to the brim of photographs, information, and reasons why we should be doing these things and how to go about it, and 3 great appendix at the end."
"This book will transform your thinking about nature.....the importance of our understanding of our amazing earth and the plants that bring the sun's energy to earth to sustain all life...including people!."
Best Midwest Region Gardening
Native Plants of the Midwest , by regional plant expert Alan Branhagan, features the best native plants in the heartland and offers clear and concise guidance on how to use them in the garden. “Alan has masterfully infused the spirit of the Midwest into a practical book on native plants for gardeners and naturalists alike.” —Richard Hawke, Plant Evaluation Manager and Associate Scientist at Chicago Botanic Garden “Whether you are a native plant aficionado or simply looking to add regionally appropriate plants to your landscape, this book will become a valued addition to your library.” —Edward S. Lyon, director of Reiman Gardens , Iowa State University. This comprehensive book is perfect for both plant enthusiasts and home gardeners looking to reap the benefits of a native garden.” — Michigan Gardener. “Well designed and richly illustrated, Branhagen’s book will be of value to landscapers, restoration ecologists, and home gardeners interested in creating regionally appropriate landscapes.” — Choice. “Well-researched but accessible plant bible.” — The Columbus Dispatch.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Also, the price is remarkable given the size and scope of book."
"A great book with the best information on plants in my home area that I have found."
"Perfect for the Ohio gardener in my life."
"The best and most inforamtive book I have read on the subject of native plants."
"wonderful book."
"This book is a wonderful resource and the pictures are AMAZING!"
"an excellent resource for anyone wanting to learn which plants and trees are the best for providing wildlife habitat."
Best Southwest Region Gardening
#4 on Publishers Weekly 's Bestselling Gardening Books list! ...Neil Sperry is the undisputed dean of of Texas gardening....Neil has established himself as Texas' most prominent expert on gardening. One of the more comprehensive nooks containing plants for Pklahoma is Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening . Serious gardeners pluck Neil Sperry's Complete Guid to Texas Gardening off the shelves at local bookstores almost as soon as the books are put there. If you only have one basic gardening book Neil Sperry's Texas Gardening is the one to have.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We have an inherited nature to want to grow things, this book sparks that desire."
"nice book, good quality even though it is used."
"I have able to choose my flowers to plant each season from the book so when I go to the nursery I know exactly what I need."
"When we moved to Texas everyone recommended this book as the gardening bible for native and well adapted Texas Plants."
"Invaluable reference for Texas home owners to cover a multitude of subjects."
"Easy to review perinials vs annuals- with well defined pictures!"
"I always consult this book when I am in doubtr about what to plant~~ I live in Texas."
"I did not receive book in picture."
Best South Region Gardening
An all-new revised and updated edition, The New Southern Living Garden Book is THE definitive source on gardening from the brand Southern gardeners have turned to for nearly 50 years. For nearly 50 years, Southern Living magazine has delivered definitive Southern food, decorating, and gardening ideas to over 15 million readers monthly, making it one of the most trusted lifestyle brands in the country.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is very extensive and a great resource for whatever you plan to do in your yard."
"Trying to make my garden a head turner and this book is a wealth of knowledge."
"This is my third Southern Living Garden Book, and I'm SO excited to find they have release a new edition."
"Any gardener, young, old, inexperienced and/or experienced, would appreciate and enjoy this book."
"Still, it wasn't clear to me whether living in Los Angeles, this book was right for my friend as a gift or if was applying to the southern states."
"What I realized in comparing editions is that the page numbering and sections in the Plant Finder section in the older edition were simply cut and pasted into the new book. Not only that but there were sections in the last edition that are not in this edition, though the cut and pasted table of contents for the plant finder section lists these sections anyway! I thought at first that this was the only page numbering problem but there is also a major error in the primary table of contents as the section "A Practical Guide to Gardening," listed as page 662 does not begin on page 662 at all!"
"I am terribly disappointed at the shoddy editing - no doubt it will cost Southern Living plenty to do a reprint."
"I have loved the last 2 editions, and I love that this version has more photos, but I hate the paper and fear it won't be durable enough for a reference book."
Best Canada Region Gardening
With entries for nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the U.S. and eastern Canada, its comprehensive horticultural coverage is unsurpassed by any other single volume. “An important resource for enthusiasts interested in gaining practical insight about gardening with native plants as well as those seeking to restore native plant habitats or enhance biodiversity.” — Library Journal “An encyclopedia of experience.” — The Washington Post. “This is a wonderful book that anyone interested in improving backyards, gardens, and other small stopover areas with native vegitation will want to have handy as an essential reference.” — International Hawkwatcher. “This book will interest readers who, regardless of their educational background, wish to learn about using native plants for gardening.” — Choice. “In addition to the alphabetical categorical listing, appendices list plants grouped according to cultural requirements, giving you a jump start on planning a garden for your particular soil requirements.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The beautiful photos are excellent for plant identification although it would be better if there were more than one photo for each plant showing not just the flower but also more of the leaves, especially before the flower emerges."
"The book is very good."
"I'm propagating native trees to replace ones that have been cut down due to powerline hazards."
"In addition, it describes the plant attributes, how to propagate, the natural range of the plant, and most plants have specific cultivars picked out as superior, and sometimes what roles the plant plays in the ecosystem. Also incredibly useful is the set of lists in the back - plants that tolerate wet soil, plants for dry soil, plants that tolerate shade, plants for butterflies and hummingbirds, plants with fruits for birds, plants with fruits for mammals - all organized by the light tolerance of the plant and plant type."
"If you live in the Northeast and want to have an all or mostly native garden, or even just some native plants, this is the book to get."
"One of the primary botanical references for ecological landscaping (which is primarily based on native species), for wildlife habitat restoration, and for other features like rain gardens or butterfly gardens."
"It is also an excellent book for anyone looking to plant more of our beautiful native plants and eliminate non-natives on their land."
"My bible for ripping out my front lawn and planting a native flowering garden that attracts wildlife, even here in Hartford."
Best New England Region Gardening
With entries for nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the U.S. and eastern Canada, its comprehensive horticultural coverage is unsurpassed by any other single volume. “An important resource for enthusiasts interested in gaining practical insight about gardening with native plants as well as those seeking to restore native plant habitats or enhance biodiversity.” — Library Journal “An encyclopedia of experience.” — The Washington Post. “This is a wonderful book that anyone interested in improving backyards, gardens, and other small stopover areas with native vegitation will want to have handy as an essential reference.” — International Hawkwatcher. “This book will interest readers who, regardless of their educational background, wish to learn about using native plants for gardening.” — Choice. “In addition to the alphabetical categorical listing, appendices list plants grouped according to cultural requirements, giving you a jump start on planning a garden for your particular soil requirements.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The beautiful photos are excellent for plant identification although it would be better if there were more than one photo for each plant showing not just the flower but also more of the leaves, especially before the flower emerges."
"The book is very good."
"I'm propagating native trees to replace ones that have been cut down due to powerline hazards."
"In addition, it describes the plant attributes, how to propagate, the natural range of the plant, and most plants have specific cultivars picked out as superior, and sometimes what roles the plant plays in the ecosystem. Also incredibly useful is the set of lists in the back - plants that tolerate wet soil, plants for dry soil, plants that tolerate shade, plants for butterflies and hummingbirds, plants with fruits for birds, plants with fruits for mammals - all organized by the light tolerance of the plant and plant type."
"If you live in the Northeast and want to have an all or mostly native garden, or even just some native plants, this is the book to get."
"One of the primary botanical references for ecological landscaping (which is primarily based on native species), for wildlife habitat restoration, and for other features like rain gardens or butterfly gardens."
"It is also an excellent book for anyone looking to plant more of our beautiful native plants and eliminate non-natives on their land."
"My bible for ripping out my front lawn and planting a native flowering garden that attracts wildlife, even here in Hartford."
Best Pacific Northwest Region Gardening
Written at the height of her fame but not published until over a decade after her death, this autobiography of actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) poignantly recounts her childhood as an unwanted orphan, her early adolescence, her rise in the film industry from bit player to celebrity, and her marriage to Joe DiMaggio. After she was mysteriously found dead of a drug overdose at the age of 36, the movie star became a beloved pop icon.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I thought it was very good, a little heartbreaking."
"Another favorite book in my Marilyn collection, I highly recommend it as a must have."
"Sad but her career and her positive image for over 60 years is not sad at all."
"I usually am attracted to girls with darker features and I assumed she was a very stick on herself Hollywood actress that died from drugs."
"Intriguing but I’m not sure I believe she didn’t know or hadn’t intended to be as sexual as she was."
"I'm enjoying this book."
Best Middle Atlantic Region Gardening
The author explores topics ranging from labor in the garden, garden pests of the time, and seed saving practices to contemporary African American gardens. A Rich Spot of Earth lovingly describes the 1000-foot terraced vegetable garden that was restored to its 1812 appearance under the author's able direction. " A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello presents a rarely seen side of the man. Here is Jefferson with mud-splattered boots laying out garden beds and carefully setting seeds with dirty hands: a Founding Father not on a lofty pedestal, but joyfully competing with neighbors in an annual contest to see who could bring the first spring peas to table. And it opens up a new and interesting way of thinking about Jefferson, the Founding Father who remains most relevant and malleable for Americans. "Peter Hatch's vibrant and enthusiastic passion for preserving Thomas Jefferson's farming legacy at Monticello reminds us all of the time-tested continuity and historical root of this kind of agriculture. "In this fascinating book, Peter Hatch wonderfully weaves together his deep understanding of Monticello’s soil with his scholarly knowledge of Jefferson’s legacy as a gardener. A Rich Spot of Earth affords us a clear and compelling view into the revolutionary thinking of Jefferson, illuminating for the reader his approach to food, diversity, democracy, and freedom – making the genius of Jefferson, perhaps, as relevant today as at any other time in American history."—P.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It would be a shame if it ended up on, well, coffee tables, to eventually be covered with old magazines or used as a handy coaster or, in better circles, to perform a merely decorative "house beautiful" function. The author, Peter Hatch, Director of Grounds and Gardens at Monticello, also pays homage to the African-American slaves whose labor built Jefferson's gardens and whose own garden plots often supplied the big house. The second half is a detailed look at many of the vegetables grown in the gardens, including cultural information. His frustrating experiences with melon growing will be familiar to anyone who has tried."
"Having had the privilege of hearing Mr. Hatch lecture, I had to have his book."
"A well written and researched book by Peter Hatch, Monticello's Director of Grounds for over thirty years."
"Great book for those interested in Thomas Jefferson and his magnificent gardens at Monticello."
"I built an illustrated lecture (PowerPoint) around this valuable resource of historic gardening practices."
"I am going to finally get my garden going next spring with seeds ordered from Baker's Creek."