Customer Reviews

Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach

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

 

 

I live in the South of France and use this book myself. I sent a copy to my daughter in California so that she might benefit from the the expertise and experience of Hilda Gildemeister. This is a good, reliable basic introduction to gardening in a Med. climate.Easy to read, good plant suggestions, the lists of plants for particular situations is of great use. Especially useful for newcomers to dry condition gardening.

This book gives prefect information on how to grow a garden in a dry climat without going bankrupt on water cost. Invaluable, specially for beginners. Comming from a cold and wet climate I had no idea what to think about when growing a garden in a hot and dry climate, but this book deffinately put me on the right track.
The book also contains a long list of plants that will do well in a "dry" garden which is helpfull. The only thing I missed was information on how big the plants become and at what rate they grow. Rather interesting information for a newcommer like me who is not always familiar with the plants described. Many good pictures did help to choose the right types of plants though.

Gildermeister primary concern, and rightly so, is the climate and environment of the mediterranean zone for panting and gardening. Water and heat, wind and salt are factors which until now, have not really been taken into account. Gildermeister does take them into account. Her book examies the unique concerns of the med and has an comprehensive and extensive seltection of plants well suited for such conditions. This book is well suite for both beginner and experts alike.

Wonderful book! Explains the unique characteristics of water-wise plants covered. Includes many plants and photographs as well as descriptions of best growing conditions. I especially liked the section that groups plants by special characteristics-pool-side, for the novice, scented,etc.

i live in the south of France and have used this book extensively. i learnt quite a lot from it despite having more than 30 years gardening experience. The written chapters are very informative as are the plant selections and i would recommend the book. It will save you a vast amount of time and money

However, i do find the plant selection chapters (which does contain a vast range of plants) less good. There are too many plants that are highly specialised (OK it is a tour de force by the author). I have spent hundreds of hours researching the plants suggested only to find that large numbers are not available any where in Europe, even by seed. the author does say that 'not all are easily obtained' Probably many come from seed swaps from botanical gardens, i wish i knew honestly.

Other species that i grow a lot of seem strangely selected, salvias and agaves particularly.

Frost tolerance is not mentioned and this is a weakness for gardens that do have winter frost (which are many in the Med)

Overall definitely worth buying...but don't get carried away with the lists of plants.

Disappointed with the size and quality of the photos of this reproduction.I'm sure the original book was far superior in every way
Would not recommend.