Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens

Starred review from January 1, 2012

The first step in creating a successful garden is choosing the right plants. Fortunately, for anyone trying to grow things in an area that experiences drought conditions at least once a year (or anyone who just wants a more sustainable type of landscape that places less water demands on the local environment), there is a new guide in town. This husband-and-wife team of landscape designers (coauthors, Plant-Driven Design) offer gardeners a bounty of botanical possibilities, including trees, shrubs, ground covers, annuals, and perennials, that will survive and thrive in low-water gardens. Each concise plant entry includes gorgeous color photos of the plant, growth details, the zones in which the plant grows best, special attributes, and design ideas. VERDICT While this doesn't replace standard gardening references or regional resources, which offer more specifics on the actual process of designing and planting a garden, it is a terrific complement to the basic resources and would be a valuable addition to any library collection. New and veteran gardeners in USDA zones 3-10 will find this colorful guide an excellent resource when it comes to selecting suitable plants for a sustainable landscape.--John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.