Thursday, September 20, 2012

Lists for Gardeners - Garden Book Review



One of the books I do not think I could live without as an avid gardener is The New York/Mid-Atlantic Book of Lists by Bonnie Lee Appleton and Lois Trigg Chaplin. I was introduced to this book in my Master Gardener's class several years ago, and it has become a gem in my gardening library.




It is a book that I often refer to when I am planning garden beds or plant additions to my garden. With lists from Shrubs with Interesting Leaf Color to Perennials for a Long Season of Bloom to Bulbs for Fragrance, this book includes lists for many a situation in the garden.


I am joining Holley of Roses and Other Gardening Joys for Garden Book Reviews on the 20th of every month. Stop by her blog to see what other gardeners are reading.


There is even a list for Trees Prone and Resistant to Storm Damage. Since we increasingly have storms with damaging winds, this list has come in handy as we plant trees around the yard.


With our hot and dry summers, having an idea what plants survive in such conditions is very helpful. In the past, I have used this list to add vines, such as Carolina jessamine to the garden.



This is not a book with lots of photos or decorative ideas, but it is a book with a wealth of information for any gardener planning for plants that will survive and thrive in the garden. The contents of the book is broken down as follows:

Introduction
Trees
Shrubs
Vines
Ground Covers
Perennials
Roses
Ornamental Grasses
Ferns
Bulbs
Annuals
Water Gardens
Special Lists and Gardens
Resources


Some of the more interesting lists are:

Plants that Attract Hummingbirds
Ferns that Tolerate Some Sun
Native Plants
Trees for Dry Sites
Shrubs that Won't Eat The House
Ground Covers to Stabilize Slopes

The book I have reviewed here is specifically for my region, but there are other books available for other regions.

The Southern Gardener's Book of Lists by Lois Trigg Chaplin
The Lone Star Gardener's Book of Lists by Lois Trigg Chaplin and William D. Adams
The New England Gardener's Book of Lists by Karan Davis Cutler
The Pacific Northwest Gardener's Book of Lists by Ray McNeilan and Jan McNeilan
The California Gardener's Book of Lists by Catherine Yronwode
The Florida Gardener's Book of Lists by Lois Trigg Chaplin
The Midwest Gardener's Book of Lists by Susan McClure

If ever I were asked what book would be beneficial to the novice and experienced gardener alike, I would recommend this book. It has become invaluable to me as I planned my garden beds and as I continue to add plants in and around the garden.

Happy gardening!

© copyright 2012 Michelle A. Potter

44 comments:

  1. Seems like a very useful book for a gardener! Beautiful flowerpictures.

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  2. I would read this information about water garden, I always have problem with my pond. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. You are very welcome. I think they should write some for other parts of the world because they are so helpful.

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  3. I have the Southern Gardener's Book of Lists and it is so helpful! I also, learned about it in my MG class :O)

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  4. Wow, this is something I'm going to have to get.

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  5. Oh, thanks so much for reviewing this book! It sounds like a treasure to have. I especially love that there are regional lists - and even one specifically for Texas! This is one book I'm definitely going to purchase. Thanks again for telling us about it, and thanks, too, for joining in.

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    1. It is always a pleasure to join in your wonderful meme, Holley. I am glad there is a list book for your area. You will enjoy it.

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  6. Cool beans. I just bought a used copy of the California version of this book for $4.12! How can you beat that for what sounds like an invaluable resource?

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    1. What a great deal, Chad! You will really get a lot out of it.

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  7. Sounds like a super book for someone just starting out, no excuse then for getting things wrong!

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    1. Sometimes those mistakes turn out to be pleasant surprises, but this book is a great guide.

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  8. I love the idea of this book but my challenge is figuring which book...the NY one seems more for southern NY which is a warmer zone and New England may be more in line with my garden, but unsure...oh well, I'll figure it out...love that tulip pic...

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    1. That is quite a challenge, Donna. I hope you find which one fits the best.

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  9. I NEED a book of lists! I have the same problem as Donna - I need to work out which one will work best in the UK.

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    1. I did not find any listed for the UK, but there may be one of which I am not aware. And there may be another that would fit your area even though it is for another.

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  10. It is a good book and one that was good to review.

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  11. I always look for books with lists that are categorized like this. I'm glad you shared this book with us.

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    1. You are welcome, Mary. I find it so helpful and refer back to it very often.

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  12. Great recommendation. And I'm really pleased there is a New England version of it too. So added to my book list. Thanks!

    Michael

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    1. Thank you, Michael. There really should be one of these books for every area in the world.

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  13. Sounds like a great resource! I'm glad to hear there's a Midwest version--I'll have to check it out! BTW, I posted about our "Lessons Learned" this weekend. Thanks!

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    1. I am glad there is a version that will be helpful to you. I always enjoy your Lessons Learned, Beth. Thank you for hosting this wonderful meme.

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  14. The books sounds very useful. Too bad, there isn't a Southwestern version. List books are handy to have. I have the New Mexico Gardener's Guide which has proven invaluable to me. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It does seem odd that they did not write one for the Southwest, although they wrote one specifically for Texas. However, your New Mexico guide sounds very helpful.

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  15. Lists are so helpful to me. I didn't know there were gardening books like this! Thanks for posting the info and the list of books for different areas.

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    1. You are welcome, Charlie B. I hope you find it as invaluable as I have.

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  16. What an interesting idea for a book. I love the section 'shrubs that won't eat the house'. I can think of many occasions when a list such as this would be handy.

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    1. I like how they titled that section...so true. There are so many lists within the book that help with planning.

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  17. This kind of book can be very useful. In Europe I think there are far too many books that don't take enough notice of a particular climate. I have noticed there are lots of American books very specific to State or Hardiness region. A good review, thank you.

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    1. Good point, Christina. It is clear that there are all sorts of micro-climates in Europe. It would be helpful indeed.

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  18. I have never heard of this book. It would be very helpful for me when answering my customers questions.

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    1. That sounds like a good idea, although you seem very knowledgeable.

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  19. I wish I had seen the Midwest Book of Lists several years ago--it would have saved me a lot of time in planning parts of my garden! I'll still have to check that one out for the winter. I might recommend "The Lone Star" edition to my daughter--she recently called me for suggestions for planting at her Houston home. These all look like great references for any gardener.

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    1. I made some mistakes before I had the book as well. There are so many editions, and there should be even more.

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  20. I have the New England gardener's verson of this book and I use it ALL the time. I love that the plant suggestions are tried & true by regional experts so it takes the guess work out of adding new plants to your garden.

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    1. It sure does save us from a lot of research by having this book. I am glad I was introduced to it so I could plan my garden beds.

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  21. None of the books listed (ha!) are relevant to me geographically, but i agree with the value of lists in gardening, and have used them a lot. But usually they are an appendix at the end of a book, I've never seen them conveniently gathered together in one book like this one. House-Eating Shrubs? Sounds scary... lol.

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    1. I love the title of that section because I think we often feel as if they are eating the house. I am sorry there was not one for your region. They really should complete the project by covering all regions.

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  22. I love the close up photos. I am amaze by the beauty of these blooms. It is indeed a lovely share. Thanks a lot for the page.

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