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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] shadegardens Digest - 16 Mar 1998 to 17 Mar 1998 (#1998-15)

>From:    tmatsu <tmatsu@INCH.COM>
>What I seem to be having the most trouble with is finding sources that
>show how to effectively combine plants to highlight their best features,
>emphasize contrast, etc. Most perennial books and catalogs I've seen give
>closeups that ignore/exclude the plants companions.
>Also, what books or other sources have you found helpful with this
>problem?
>Carmel Matsushita

Dear Carmel,

Have two possibilities for you. The Reader's Digest Guide to Creative
Gardening, ISBN 0 276 35223 8, is based on plant associations. Absolutely
wonderful book. The other direction, since there are many choices, are the
design books by John Brookes. Frankly, I have known few garden designers
with a really good knowledge of plants. I first ran into his books many
years ago with his first "Small Gardens". Really like it better than his
second, but as a direct quote, "Should have learned something in 17 years",
which was the time difference between the two. What totally sold me, was
the simple fact that any given area became a finished photograph of how you
would want it to appear. Structure, companions, and all. Have nearly worn
out his book of Garden Design, and not sure at this point exactly how many
of his books I have. Haven't found a poor one in the lot. In one sense, you
would not think that Small Gardens would be applicable, but the concept of
a finished area before going on to another is wonderful. Not describing
this at all well, but every garden is made up of small sites, where ever
you stand being a complete scene in itself. Take it from there.

On the question of shade vs sun --- Those of us who garden in the south
necessarily grow things in the shade that require full sun in the north. I
realize that the books I have recommended are English, but what needs full
sun there, needs shade here. There are more differences than that, but
simply put, don't know American books that approach the subject in quite
this manner.

Nancy


Nancy Swell <swell@erols.com>
Richmond VA   Zone 7 --- colder than Raleigh and Norfolk, warmer than
Baltimore and Blacksburg
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