Planting Design for Dry Gardens

Overview

More than sustainable 200 plants for dry garden regions, from an author with more than 25 years of experience

Green lawns are restful to the eye, provide an excellent backdrop to plants and trees and keep the weeds down, but in low-rainfall regions they often end up looking scrappy and brown. This book offers low-level planting designs that are ecofriendly and so beautiful they redefine the conventional distinction between lawn and plant borders. Inspired by the wild plant communities of Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S., these rigorously trialed plant combinations can be used on terraces, paths, gravel beds and flower borders, as well as areas that are traditionally laid to lawn. Plant choices include the tough new macrothermal grasses, carpeting groundcovers and stunning wild flower mixes that thrive among gravel and stone. With a plant directory that lists over 200 tough but beautiful dry garden plants and Filippi's innovative maintenance techniques, this book will delight all dry garden owners

Reviews

"This attractive, comprehensive work shows how to care for many kinds of beautiful, drought-resistant gardens."  —Library Journal, June 1, 2016 issue

"a comprehensive and indispensable resource."  —Publishers Weekly, 7/1/2016

This gorgeously illustrated book is a revolt against the "dreary uniformity" of expansive lawns in deference to natural sustainable landscapes . . . The directory of 200 species and their varieties makes this a comprehensive and indispensable resource that will surprise and delight the courageous gardener who is looking maximize beauty and minimize upkeep. —Publishers Weekly 

"an inspiring work."  —Pacific Horticulture Magazine, Fall 2016 issue

"[A] book that I can whole-heartedly recommend." —Rock Garden Quarterly

Author Biography

Olivier Filippi has spent 25 year studying native plant communities in the world's driest places and trialed plants and techniques in his experimental garden in the south of France. He is the author of The Dry Gardening Handbook.