Southern Living Garden Book

The most comprehensive guide written for the Southern Gardener. Breaks down the different zones in the South, as well as "sub-zones" such as those found along the coast. It lists almost all known plants, trees, shrubs, flowers that will grow in the South. It discusses the difficulty in growing each item, along with watering, sunlight, and fertilizer needs. It further divides the sections by showing which plants will grow in specific sections: coastal, Tropical, swamp-like, vines, palms, etc. etc. These sections are filled with pictures showing each plant identified. It has a section that lists different nurseries, both mail-order and walk in. There is a plant dictionary that breaks down the terms used in the book. It has a section of different types of gardens and what plants would work and where they would work in this garden: shade gardens for relaxing and entertaining; Tropical Gardens with unusual ferns and hard-to-find flowers, maybe a small fish pond with exotic species. Even a succulent/cactus garden is laid out for the reader. This book is truly a must-have for both the new gardener and the experienced. Buy 3 or 4 and give the rest away as gifts - it is indispensable.

As the librarian for my garden club, I have a small budget to buy books that meet our needs. A happy by-product of this activity is that I learn the best ones, and I can then buy them for myself. This is one of these. A great index, cultural information, plant descriptions for almost everything (not everything, but almost) make it indispensible for us as a reference at our annual plant sale and during meetings. I would say it is the most popular book at our meetings and the one owned individually by the most members.

This book is an absolute must have for gardners in the south! Every plant is pictured and described clearly and there are wonderful lists of plants that do well in full sun, poor soil, partial shade, and all sorts of other conditions. As I said, a definite must have!

The USDA provides a general hardiness zone map that does not take into effect the microclimates that many US regions experience. These zones are generally seen on store bought plants and seeds. This book takes those microclimates into consideration and makes adjustments accordingly while also giving in depth information on each plant that can grow well in our Southern states. If you have lived out West and own the Sunset Western Garden Book, this is the bible for Southern gardeners in much the same way.

As a new gardener, I have often been befuddled and confused when it comes to choosing plant materials for a garden in the Deep South. The Southern Living Garden Book has become my most reached for reference when choosing plant materials. The book includes helpful listings of plants grouped by type (trees, shrubs, vines) recommended site, color or bloom period. Detailed plant and cultivation information is indexed by latin name in the second section. It's a great guide for gardeners new to the South. I am very glad I purchased this book and know it will save me both the money I would have spent on plants that might not enjoy our hot, sultry summers and the heartache of losing that prized plant I might have purchased.

I live in the Piney Woods, north of Houston, and I think this book is invaluble. I wish I had had it 30 years ago. The book is sort of like a little portable arboretum. If you garden in the South (upper, middle, lower, coastal, or tropical), you will LOVE it. It gives you reliable infomation about what will grow and what is wishful thinking. It is also great for what it doesn't waste time on, e.g., it does not use up space telling you how to winterize your roses or the best varieties of lilacs or how to make cold frames. It does, however, go into great detail about that things that matter to us Southerners, such as azaelas, and it has a wonderful section on "Southern Heritage" plants. It has useful warnings about plants that can get rampant. It has great pictures. I use this book frequently (more than once a week) and I am giving it as gifts.