The Subtropical Garden [Paperback]

Jacqueline Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1996

A tempting selection of palms, bamboos, shrubs, foliage plants, perennials, orchids, and ferns suitable for gardeners in USDA zones 9 and 10 — or adventurous souls in colder areas who want to garden on the edge — or for use in containers for overwintering indoors.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Walker describes a subtropical garden as one with luxuriant foliage, with form taking precedence over flowers, and lush in undergrowth and spiked above with palm or tree fern fronds. The term subtropical is used here not in the strict geographic sense but in reference to climates where the summers are warm and winters are mild and frost free. In a chapter called "Plant Architecture," Walker describes in detail such exotic plants as palms, bamboo, tree ferns, and flowering trees. Walker, who lives in New Zealand, also offers advice on growing a vast variety of climbing vines, shrubs, aroids, bromeliads, orchids, and water and bog plants. Adding to the book's interest are 197 color photographs by New Zealand garden photographer Gil Hanly. George Cohen

Review

"Although written and photographed in New Zealand, this is an excellent guide for the southern California gardener in particular, and includes many plants that can be grown (with protection) anywhere from Vancouver to San Diego ... The text is complete, accurate, profound, and equally inspirational."
—Pacific Horticulture, Winter 2000 (Pacific Horticulture )

"With superb photographs by Gil Hanley, this is a book in which you can luxuriate, even if you can't grow the plants in your garden ... This is a book for plant lovers."
—John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, February 1, 1997 (Newark Star-Ledger )

"The uniqueness of this book is the blending of great writing and photographs."
—Clear Englebert, West Hawaii Today, December 26, 2004 (West Hawaii Today )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (September 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923591
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923599
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #819,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful pictures, as expected, a little short of details., November 9, 1999

By 

A. J. Minhas "althotos" (Melbourne, Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Subtropical Garden (Paperback)

I went through this book cover to cover about 3 times. I also stopped in certain sections and read a few pages of text. The pictures were outstanding and definitely gave me some new ideas about landscape architecture.

However, as expected the book was a little short on detail regarding specifics. It covered a lot of plants but, it did not go into details. At most, it might have devoted about 4 or 5 lines per plant although it covered the family in greater scope. This is fine for generalities but, even indiviual species within a family have vastly different requirements which is the kind of information I was looking for. For example, type of soil, amount of watering, to use or not to use ferilizer, drought resistance, amount direct sun versus indirect sun, etc., etc.

I already have a myriad collection of books addressing the Palms. I will probably have to get books which specifically address the growing requirements of the various subtropical plants. To this degree I have also ordered the Encylopedia on Tropical Plants. Hopefully, it will add more depth regarding the characteristics and growing requirements of various tropical and subtropical plants. Living in Florida, this has evolved into a hobby since we have a year-round growing season down here.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photography!, November 10, 1998

By 

Lie^n "bamboochik" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Subtropical Garden (Paperback)

The Subtropical Garden is just the book for those landscaping their homes, gardens, and greenhouses to achieve a tropical feel. It will give you many ideas and you will start making lists before you turn the first page. I do not agree with her advice against the running bamboos, but then I am used to handeling them. I think you will be surprized at some of the things she will teach you about these "mostly" foliage plants and their cultural needs. A big plus is the wonderful photography by Gil Hanly. Buy this today!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Palms, bamboos, ferns, oh my!, April 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Zone 6b, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Subtropical Garden (Paperback)

Glad I bought it! Great reading book to introduce you to all that's available. Breakdowns are by plant type -wish it had some more specifics, but with the numbers of species out there I can understand. Excellent photography.