Smartgarden Regional Guide: Southeast (American Horticultural Society Smartgarden Regional Garden Guides) [Paperback]

Rita Pelczar (Author), William E. Barrick (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Horticultural Society Smartgarden Regional Garden Guides | Publication Date: May 31, 2004

Presenting a new way to think about gardening, the American Horticultural Society's "smart gardening" program teaches gardeners how to their own preferences and time availability, assess the possibilities of a location, and then create a garden that is in tune with the environment. A coding system, assigned to each plant, uses hardiness and heat zones, sun/shade, water needs, and plant size to help determine the perfect plants for any site.

Includes more than 3,000 plants that grow well in: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (May 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789494949
• ISBN-13: 978-0789494948
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rita Pelczar grew up in a garden. In college, she studied horticulture, receiving both BS (in pomology and olericulture) and MS (in ornamental horticulture) degrees from the University of Maryland. She gained extensive gardening experience in a career that includes managing public gardens and greenhouses, teaching, working as a Peace Corps volunteer, and growing edible crops. She has written, edited, and contributed to a number of gardening books and gardening magazines and is currently a contributing editor for The American Gardener. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where her ornamental and edible gardens continue to expand. She also grows organic hops commercially and raises chickens for fun.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique reference book for southeastern gardeners, October 2, 2006

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smartgarden Regional Guide: Southeast (American Horticultural Society Smartgarden Regional Garden Guides) (Paperback)

This is a gorgeous book overflowing with beautiful color photos and sure to motivate any gardener. The intent is to help gardeners select plants that are compatible with specific growing conditions. It is comprised of three parts: Part 1 features "The Ten SmartGarden Tenets" which includes detailed sections on factors like assessing your site, choosing the best plants, working with nature, managing pests, keeping a garden journal, etc. The bulk of the book is Part 2 which is a plant selection catalog and features plants in every conceivable category (examples are "Drought Tolerant Trees," "Winter Flowering Shrubs," "Shrubs with Gray or Blue Foliage," "Vines for Small Arbors," etc.) Every plant has a photo and basic, general information is designated by a symbol. Part 3 covers gardening techniques with excellent step-by-step photos and directions on selecting plants, planting, pruning and propagation. Appendices includes gardening resources, web sites, horticultural organizations, and botanical gardens and arboreta in the U.S. The only issue I have from giving the book 5 stars is that even though the plant categories are endless, each section contains only about 8 or 10 plants and sometimes that just isn't enough to choose from. Still, the photos along are worth the price - this is a beautifully designed book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well organized with tons of pictures, May 7, 2009

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yumyumdeena - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smartgarden Regional Guide: Southeast (American Horticultural Society Smartgarden Regional Garden Guides) (Paperback)

I first borrowed this book from a friend who is a garden designer. After a quick scan I knew I had to have it. It is very well organized for those who have long range visions for what they would like their garden to be. Great for planning purposes, with tons of full color pictures organized into utilitarian catagories to easily find what you need. I believe this book will save me a lot of time, money and aggrevation in my gardening endeavors. I am an organizer, and this book works like my brain does, so it is a great fit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not useful for Florida, December 24, 2009

By 

The gardener - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Smartgarden Regional Guide: Southeast (American Horticultural Society Smartgarden Regional Garden Guides) (Paperback)

This is a great book if you don't live in Florida. Most of these plants don't like our heat and humidity.