Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach (Hardcover)

by Heidi Gildemeister (Author) "The Mediterranean climate takes its name from the sea which is one of its dominant traits..." (more)
Key Phrases: weekly summer watering, clip for compactness, creamy flower clusters, New Zealand, South Africa, Mediterranean Evergreen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Heidi Gildemeister, long-term Mediterranean gardener and contributor to the RHS Dictionary of Gardening, the gardener's bible, shares her 20 years experience of gardening in drought-ridden areas of the world. Learning through trial and error she has today managed to perfect the ideal cultivation methods for growing over 1000 differing plants in this specific climate. Being dry and hot and receiving only variable amounts of winter rain, the method of planting and correct siting becomes all-important. Mulches, initial watering, dappled shade and shelter-belts all help in settling in the vast range of plants that are happy in these situations. Familiar plants such as clematis, paeonia and helianthus mingle with the more exotic passiflora, neriums and hedychiums, all thriving in these harsh conditions and enduring lower than expected temperatures. Pertinent more than ever today in this age of global warming, this is an invaluable guide to all those longing to have a watering-free garden. And with water meters now becoming the norm, Heidi's advice will save you money too. Written in an affable, assured manner, she willingly admits her failures, teaching gardeners in the UK, Mediterranean and Mediterranean-type climates around the world how to make the most of their specific situation. - Lucy Watson

Product Description
This title provides topical advice on drought-tolerant plants.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 115 pages
• Publisher: Specialty Marketing Group (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8427307497
• ISBN-13: 978-8427307490
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,345,074 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A gardeners opinion, July 19, 2005

By	Mme Molineaux Valerie (Lorgues, Var, France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of usefull knowledge, August 10, 2005

By	Edith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars environmentally aware, gardener, September 17, 2005

By	S. Magliveras (Athens Greece) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach (Paperback)

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.