Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings: The Ultimate Guide to Low-Water Beds, Borders, and Containers by Sunset Magazines Books

Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings: The Ultimate Guide to Low-Water Beds, Borders, and Containers Reviews

• 
  Lada

  The most enjoyable book on garden plantings (in California and the rest of the "West") I have ever read. Well, mostly I stared at the gorgeous plant combinations (there are multiple photos on each page), but what little text there was was worthwhile as well. There is enough repetition of plant species (though each time illustrating a different concept, with different companion plants), that by the end I felt I had learned a bunch more names and needs/features of the plants.
• 
  Robin

  Well-crafted with solid theory and beautiful photos. I would have loved deeper region-based plant lists. A good starting point or inspiration book, but to implement these ideas, it needs to be supplemented with local info. Recommended.
• 
  Read Ng

  Past time to update my landscape to a less water thirsty element. And my lazy butt would not mind landscape being somewhat set and forget.
  
  Lots of photos. Not all that much description of the plants themselves. I don't have a good feel for the subtle differences between plants in the Arizona desert and Washington state coast and how the plants discussed will tolerate my yard. Not a dry reference book, but really best to give ideas and concepts. I will still need to do some research and ask a lot of questions at a local nursery.
  
  I wish this book also had a section discussing what might be deer tolerant. I like the deer around my property, but not if the plants are going to be nothing but stubs year round. I am willing to have some sacrificial plantings to encourage the wildlife, just as long as I don't have replace those plants every few months.
  
  My problem is that I lack a level of person imagination and vision. I don't have the eye to mix colors and textures. Time to find a landscaper and just trust them to do their work.
  
  Read more landscape books before starting your project, but this was a GoodReads.
  
• 
  c

  Inspirational photo book that is full of practical information. If you're not knowledgeable about plants, it gives you the vocabulary to describe the style you desire, and a starting list of plants to achieve that style.
  
  - Describes different styles of gardens -- woodsy, "zen style", mediterranean, native, etc -- and suggests plants to achieve that feeling that work in different parts of the west.
  
  - Presents different things to consider -- texture, shape, seasonal color, and again, suggests plants to achieve those effects.
  
  - Big section on succulents & ground covers for lawn replacements.
  
  I use this in conjunction with the Sunset Western Garden Book -- it's helpful to be able to look things up & make sure they will work in my garden.
  
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  julia

  This is quite possibly my all time favorite plant reference book. I read the entire thing cover to cover.