Small Gardens of Savannah and Thereabouts [Hardcover]

Elvin McDonald (Author), Jeffrey Eley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2003

Backyard Edens of Georgiaís prettiest city. This book celebrates 30 of Savannahís most beautiful small gardens and features horticultural blueprints and advice about what to plant.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A lifelong gardener, Elvin McDonald is an editor at large for Better Homes and Gardens. The recipient of the Chicago Horticultural Society's Hutchinson Medal for lifetime achievement, McDonald was also named to the Garden Writers Association Hall of Fame and has designed gardens for celebrities and public agencies across the country. He is the author, editor, photographer, or publisher of hundreds of gardening books, and his work has earned him the nickname Dean of American Garden Editors. McDonald lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

An experienced lecturer on the art and architecture of eighteenth and nineteenth century Savannah, historian Jeffrey Eley often uses the city itself as a textbook when teaching others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (December 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589801032
• ISBN-13: 978-1589801035
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Small Enchanted Oasis, November 24, 2003

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Small Gardens of Savannah and Thereabouts (Hardcover)

I visited Savannah many years ago and it was so hot and humid that I vowed I wouldn't go back. This book might make me change my mind though. Savannah is indeed a beautiful historical city, filled with charming little gardens and Georgian Colonial and Greek Revival architecture. Behind some of the walls and iron gates are these tiny paradises filled with semi-tropical foliage and old fashioned southern flowers. This tour showcases these gardens, both public and private ones. Chapters are arranged by garden type - walled gardens, side gardens, historical gardens, pocket gardens, rooftop gardens, container gardens, treelawns, work spaces, etc. Descriptions are included but the highlight of the book is easily the outstanding photographs. The author also includes a "must-have" plant list for the southern gardener and a month-by-month planting guide. This is a beautiful book sure to inspire the gardener even if we can't grow some of the tender varities featured here.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A visually breathtaking and highly informative tour, January 14, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Gardens of Savannah and Thereabouts (Hardcover)

Filled cover to cover with gorgeous color photography, Small Gardens Of Savannah And Thereabouts by gardening enthusiast and expert Elvin McDonald offers a visually breathtaking and highly informative tour of more than thirty gardens created and maintained by the residents of Savannah. Useful secrets for garden upkeep pepper the text commentary in this horticulturally impressive and "reader friendly" exploration recommended especially to all dedicated gardeners and landscaping professionals.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little book with a lot of information, February 3, 2007

By 

Nancy S. Cunningham "Nan" (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Small Gardens of Savannah and Thereabouts (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book, full of information and inspiring photographs. No wasted words here, but facts and directions for planning and implementing a small space garden. The author has a brisk, and often humorous style that is easy to read.

Morris talks about city front yards, side yards, courtyards, and small sections of larger gardens. He describes the garden process from planning to planting to enjoying. Pruning, problem plants, and watering: all here.

This book is not overly technical but enough detail is here to get your garden growing.