Creating Beds and Borders: Creative Ideas from America's Best Gardeners (Fine Gardening Design Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Fine Gardening Design Guide to island beds and borders
Review: "Creating Beds and Borders" is a volume in the series of 'Fine Gardening' Design Guides issued by the Taunton Press. The book consists of separate articles by various contributors to 'Fine Gardening' magazine. Continuity is supplied by the subject matter, garden beds and borders.

This book's articles are grouped into four sections: (1) Design Strategies; (2) Great Border Plants; (3) Special Techniques; (4) Garden Gallery. It begins with four articles on the design of island beds and borders. Plant selection and placement are the topics covered by the majority of the essays, along with techniques for starting and renovating perennial beds. Gardening in the shade, in bogs, and in Southeastern heat and humidity all receive special attention in section four.

The one topic I felt could have used more coverage was flower bed edging techniques. One of the authors advocated a six inch by six inch trench to separate the bed from its surroundings. Another author, Sydney Eddison wrote an interesting article on "Good Looks Begin at the Edge," but she concentrates on edging plants, rather than on the physical separation of bed and lawn. Perhaps a future volume in the 'Fine Gardening' series will address the challenge of excluding the lawn from the flower bed (information I could certainly use).

Because it discusses a technique we're currently experimenting with, my favorite article in "Creating Beds and Borders" is "Roses Enliven a Border" by Judith C. McKeon. Up until a few years ago, we segregated all of our roses into one bed, away from the other perennials (I don't remember why). However, McKeon advocates growing roses as specimens in a mixed border:

"When shrub roses are grown as graceful specimens in the mixed border, they become part of its architecture, giving structure and a substantial backdrop for perennial companions. Like other ornamental deciduous shrubs, roses enhance the garden with the seasonal interest of their flowers, foliage texture and fruit displays."

I would only disagree with McKeon's recommendation to use the old Alba rose, 'Konigin von Danemark' as part of a mixed border. Our specimen of 'the Queen' is a hefty seven-footer and she is absolutely covered with thorns. Even the thorns have thorns. If you plant one of these royal ladies in your border, you'll never work in there again unless you cover yourself in leather.

'Konigin von Danemark' is a beautiful, raspberry-scented rose that could possibly be used as a deer hedge. For a mixed border, try other McKeon favorites such as 'The Fairy' or 'Gertrude Jekyll'.

Color photographs grace almost every page of "Creating Beds and Borders". It is not organized as a reference book per se, but is a collection of beautifully illustrated and well-written essays for (most particularly) the American gardener.

Rating:
Summary: Fine Gardening Design Guide to island beds and borders
Review: "Creating Beds and Borders" is a volume in the series of 'Fine Gardening' Design Guides issued by the Taunton Press. The book consists of separate articles by various contributors to 'Fine Gardening' magazine. Continuity is supplied by the subject matter, garden beds and borders.

This book's articles are grouped into four sections: (1) Design Strategies; (2) Great Border Plants; (3) Special Techniques; (4) Garden Gallery. It begins with four articles on the design of island beds and borders. Plant selection and placement are the topics covered by the majority of the essays, along with techniques for starting and renovating perennial beds. Gardening in the shade, in bogs, and in Southeastern heat and humidity all receive special attention in section four.

The one topic I felt could have used more coverage was flower bed edging techniques. One of the authors advocated a six inch by six inch trench to separate the bed from its surroundings. Another author, Sydney Eddison wrote an interesting article on "Good Looks Begin at the Edge," but she concentrates on edging plants, rather than on the physical separation of bed and lawn. Perhaps a future volume in the 'Fine Gardening' series will address the challenge of excluding the lawn from the flower bed (information I could certainly use).

Because it discusses a technique we're currently experimenting with, my favorite article in "Creating Beds and Borders" is "Roses Enliven a Border" by Judith C. McKeon. Up until a few years ago, we segregated all of our roses into one bed, away from the other perennials (I don't remember why). However, McKeon advocates growing roses as specimens in a mixed border:

"When shrub roses are grown as graceful specimens in the mixed border, they become part of its architecture, giving structure and a substantial backdrop for perennial companions. Like other ornamental deciduous shrubs, roses enhance the garden with the seasonal interest of their flowers, foliage texture and fruit displays."

I would only disagree with McKeon's recommendation to use the old Alba rose, 'Konigin von Danemark' as part of a mixed border. Our specimen of 'the Queen' is a hefty seven-footer and she is absolutely covered with thorns. Even the thorns have thorns. If you plant one of these royal ladies in your border, you'll never work in there again unless you cover yourself in leather.

'Konigin von Danemark' is a beautiful, raspberry-scented rose that could possibly be used as a deer hedge. For a mixed border, try other McKeon favorites such as 'The Fairy' or 'Gertrude Jekyll'.

Color photographs grace almost every page of "Creating Beds and Borders". It is not organized as a reference book per se, but is a collection of beautifully illustrated and well-written essays for (most particularly) the American gardener.

Rating:
Summary: A useful collection
Review: Beds and borders are the heart of most gardens and finding new ideas for creating and improving them is always a treat. In this book Taunton Press has collected more than twenty of the best articles on the topic from its "Fine Gardening" magazine. They deal with issues such as design strategies, plants, techniques, and there is a special section on problem solving. Each article has a tiny photo and very brief bio of the writer so you get a sense of their background.

The illustrations in these books, as in most Taunton books, are just gorgeous and the individual topics are well chosen. My favourite was "Lacing the Border with Beauty" which showed ways to lighten the border with lacy foliage and delicate flowers. The writer came up with ideas I'm dying to try, along with a list of lacy garden plants.

Each article has a fresh approach, new ideas to solve problems such as a hot climate, wet soil, rocky soil and techniques for choosing and planting shrubs, perennials and annuals.

The pleasure of books of collected articles is that you get a taste of many approaches without having to wade through thousands of words from any one writer, This lightness of touch, together with the careful selection of articles and first class illustrations make this book a delight.

Rating:
Summary: A useful collection
Review: Beds and borders are the heart of most gardens and finding new ideas for creating and improving them is always a treat. In this book Taunton Press has collected more than twenty of the best articles on the topic from its "Fine Gardening" magazine. They deal with issues such as design strategies, plants, techniques, and there is a special section on problem solving. Each article has a tiny photo and very brief bio of the writer so you get a sense of their background.

The illustrations in these books, as in most Taunton books, are just gorgeous and the individual topics are well chosen. My favourite was "Lacing the Border with Beauty" which showed ways to lighten the border with lacy foliage and delicate flowers. The writer came up with ideas I'm dying to try, along with a list of lacy garden plants.

Each article has a fresh approach, new ideas to solve problems such as a hot climate, wet soil, rocky soil and techniques for choosing and planting shrubs, perennials and annuals.

The pleasure of books of collected articles is that you get a taste of many approaches without having to wade through thousands of words from any one writer, This lightness of touch, together with the careful selection of articles and first class illustrations make this book a delight.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended - Especially for Newbies
Review: I admit it, I know nothing about gardening. I just figured out the difference between an annual and a perennial. This book is amazing. It's simple and easy to use. The book is mostly pictures but there's also descriptions of what plants are included in the pictures. You can also learn how to draw bed layouts. If you're new to gardening, pick this one up for some great idea.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended - Especially for Newbies
Review: I admit it, I know nothing about gardening. I just figured out the difference between an annual and a perennial. This book is amazing. It's simple and easy to use. The book is mostly pictures but there's also descriptions of what plants are included in the pictures. You can also learn how to draw bed layouts. If you're new to gardening, pick this one up for some great idea.