Gardening Books

I thought I’d put together a list of a few of my favorite gardening books. I hope this list will be added to on an on-going basis by members with books that have become as dirt-smudged in their library as the ones I have mentioned that are in mine.

The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, by Tracy DiSabato-Aust, is one of the most well-worn books in my collection. The A-Z Encyclopedia of Perennials section, which provides info on pruning and maintenance, is indispensable. This book taught me that I should pinch back my platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower) in mid-May to prevent flopping and that the reason my astilbe doesn’t flourish is because my soil is much too dry. Another book I also consider an invaluable reference is The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, edited by Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk. I keep it near me when I’m reading gardening magazines to flip through and find plant details.

I really like the books by Vermont gardeners Gordon and Mary Hayward. The two I own, The Intimate Garden and Your House, Your Garden, are thoughtful, encouraging and well-written approaches to garden design. Lots of help on working with awkward areas, i.e. between buildings, air conditioning units, utility poles and making the most of what you do have in your gardening space. Another book along this line is Taylor’s Master Guide to Landscaping by Rita Buchanan. This book is packed with tons of valuable strategies and advice for all types of American gardens.

Although I would love to have beds filled with sun-loving plants, after eight years, I have now reconciled myself to the fact that I have too much shade for glorious hollyhocks. Two volumes which have helped me face the challenges of shade gardening and grow to love hellebores, epimedium and tiarella are Gardening in the Shade by Harriet Morse and The Natural Shade Garden by Ken Druse. Mr. Druse’s book is more lavishly filled with photographs but both are rife with marvelous ideas on making the most of shady and partially shady areas of gardens.

I’ve had a copy of English Cottage Gardening for American Gardeners by Margaret Hensel for many years. I admire the lush, slightly chaotic style of cottage gardening and although I know I’ll never quite achieve that exuberant state in my own, this book is none the less inspiring and informational- and the pictures are delicious. The Gardens of Gertrude Jeykll by Richard Bisgrove also has photos of and detailed information about some fabulous gardens. I have found this book extremely useful in thinking about my own.

And finally, The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch. This book, which has just been released in a new and updated edition, was an incredibly helpful book when I first began gardening. It is a terrific resource and makes a great new home owner’s housewarming gift.

Susan Ehrenkranz