Cheryl Merser

This is the kind of gardening book I enjoy right now: more or less someone writing about their own garden, offering instruction using real-life examples. Outlining the pitfalls as well as the joys. Merser describes two gardens she started on new properties that didn't have much going for them at first. She talks a lot about plant selection- how to gauge what plant will do well in what spot, how to give the garden form and anchors using shrubbery, what works nicely (in her case) for groundcovers, accents, shady spots etc. She has a whole chapter about roses, another about water features. It's all a mixture of casual advice and very practical know-how. Her voice reminds me a bit of Thalassa Cruso. I had to laugh at some of her ingenuity, too.... I share her hatred for japanese beetles, but not quite her enthusiasm for decorating with found objects. She discusses herbs but is mostly about flowers and shrubs and interesting plants to make the outdoor space beautiful and alive. Which is great inspiration, I need to work on that part of my yard too. I have a long list of plants to look up now- because the only thing the book really lacks is decent pictures. There's a nice glossary in the back that details every plant mentioned in the book, its scientific and common names, growing habits, light/moisture requirements, peculiarities and attractiveness, etc. One to read again.

from the Dogear Diary… (mehr)

Reading this felt like having afternoon tea in an ornamental garden in late Spring, which was excellent in a cold and muddy March. I loved the author's clear love of plants and the down-to-earth conversational tone, and she covers a lot of basics of garden care and design very well. The glossary to mentioned plants in the back seemed very useful, too. Nine-year-old me who had nearly memorized The Secret Garden was delighted.

It is, however, definitely aimed 100% at decorative gardens, not kitchen gardens. Specifically it's aimed at middle-class white women in Long Island in the 1990s who have a lot of time on their hands, and the kinds of decorative gardens they might grow.
Which is not a dis-recommendation! But it does limit the scope.

Also, with nary a mention of the conservation issues, she suggests growing, among similar plants, Japanese honeysuckle, bamboo, and purple loosestrife. Which sort of made me want to burn the thing and then sprinkle salt and holy water on the ashes.… (mehr)