By Daniel J. Hinkley
Paperback - February 2009 - 380 pages
Dan Hinkley's quest for distinctive plants has led him on expeditions to China, Korea, Nepal, Chile, and remote areas of North America. The Explorer's Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials presents the most fascinating perennials found during Hinkley's treks around the globe, describes the assets each plant brings to the garden, and explains how it is best cultivated and propagated. Illustrated with Hinkley's own splendid photographs as well as those of Lynne Harrison, this new paperback edition includes a new preface by the author and a completely updated list of sources for plant material.
By Jan Johnsen
Hardback - March 2014 - 160 pages
Why do some gardens make us feel so wonderful, relaxed and refreshed? Using ideas based on ancient and modern practices, this book shows how you can uplift yourself and others in a serene setting designed for “unplugging” and relaxing. Whether you are intending to create a lovely garden or just thinking about a future outdoor haven, Heaven is a Garden will help you see your backyard in a whole new light and reawaken an awareness of the wonders of Nature. “Simplicity, Sanctuary and Delight” is the guideline that noted landscape designer Jan Johnsen recommends in this elegantly written book. She draws on her 40 years in the profession and offers stunning visuals and specific ways to make a garden look glorious and feel harmonious at the same time. She reveals how to highlight a power spot, explores the lure of the sheltered corner, explains why a gate facing East is considered auspicious and suggests which trees you can use to impart a special atmosphere. Gardeners will also enjoy the chapters on the mysteries of color, a rock’s resonance and the magic of water. All in all, this gem of a book is a thoroughly enjoyable guide that you will refer to over and over. Jan Johnsen writes the popular ‘Serenity in the Garden’ blog www.serenityinthegarden.blogspot.com and Facebook page. Her firm’s website is www.johnsenlandscapes.com.
By Troy Marden
Paperback - February 2014 - 192 pages
Beautiful gardens are generally thought to be true labors of love, often demanding hours of tedious routine maintenance. Planting requirements can be daunting, and finding the time to successfully cultivate a home garden is a tall order for most of us—constant watering, debris removal, and tiresome pruning are not at the top of our wish lists. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way: a carefully selected plant variety can give you all the enjoyment and curb appeal of a gorgeous, painstakingly tended garden with none of the wrist pain. Plant This Instead! tips you off to 75 lesser-known plant types that will thrive naturally in various microclimates, depending on where you live in the United States—featuring native and non-invasive plants, hardy alternatives to less sturdy species, new introductions, repeat bloomers, and other helpful varieties. Renowned garden designer and photographer Troy B. Marden offers clear-cut, side-by-side comparisons of these superior plant choices to the more common, fussier kinds. He incorporates original photography and identifies regionally appropriate selections, demonstrating which climates are friendly to which plants and ensuring that no matter your location, you’ll be able to capitalize on his expert advice. Most importantly, Marden alerts you to some of gardening’s most harmful misconceptions, explaining why you shouldn’t copy professional landscapers and how placing a ten-dollar plant in the wrong place could cost you thousands of dollars. Planting a beautiful garden shouldn’t be a chore—and with Plant This Instead!, it won’t be.