Customer Reviews

Gardening with Shade: Ideas for Planning and Planting (Sunset Gardening)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent book that covers the different types of shade plants needed to get you started in shade gardening. Plant pictures and layouts were inspiring. Zone information and other plant information was more than adequate. I found plants to use that local nurseries hadn't even heard about. The end result is a beautiful shade garden that keeps getting larger each year.

This book gives you great ideas on what to plant and excellent examples of various shade landscaping ideas. Shade gardening is a bit more challenging because there are simply much fewer varieties of common nursery plants, less choice of color, etc. This books certainly goes a long way in helping the shade gardener in making the right decisions.

I have trusted Sunset books for many years. "Shade" doesn't disappoint. In the introduction there is a discussion of the various kinds of shade: light/partial shade, dappled shade, seasonal shade, and deep shade. Each plant discussed is flagged in the heading as to which shade types it likes. There are almost 100 different plants discussed, including their growth habits, water and light requirements, temperature requirements, and any special features such as flowers or distinctive leaves.

The pictures are, as usual, gorgous. Ideas for plantings as interesting and inspiring.

My one gripe is which type of soil the plant needs is not in the heading. Several of the discussions carry this information, but not all. Living where neither the sun nor the soil (limestone) is benign, it is imperative I purchase plants that can handle my cllimate.

This was helpful. The index of plants that work in shade were good. Lots of pictures, little words-judge for yourself if that will work for you.