New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden by Kelly D. Norris, Cool Springs Press, $30, hardcover
When I edited a bunch of magazines for State-by-State Gardening, Kelly Norris was one of the contributors, I always looked forward to reading his copy. Such a joy. Kelly has put his literary writing skill to work in this book, which captures his philosophy of landscaping: Keep it natural. He serves up plant palettes for various applications, such as hell stripes, rocky areas, courtyards and more. He advocates learning about the soil, the area and what grows (or should grow) there. “I hope anyone who reads this book will glean an idea that might inspire them to think differently about the nature of gardening and their relationships with land,” he wrote.
Tropical Plants and How to Love Them by Marianne Willburn, Cool Springs Press, $27, hardcover
Tropical Plants and How to Love Them by Marianne Willburn, Cool Springs Press, $27, hardcoverThis well-written book is entertaining while enriching us with the skills necessary to keeping our tropicals happy. She drops in occasional recipes using the plants (“Friends with Benefits”), such as ginger. Tropical Plants and How to Love Them is a great guide to successful, guilt-free relationships with the exotic plants in our summer landscape. This well-written book is entertaining while enriching us with the skills necessary to keeping our tropicals happy. She drops in occasional recipes using the plants (“Friends with Benefits”), such as ginger. Tropical Plants and How to Love Them is a great guide to successful, guilt-free relationships with the exotic plants in our summer landscape.
