Garden Design Online

Two new titles from Timber Press that you'll want this spring for your bookshelf.  Even though the second is California-related, you might find it interesting anyway, and if you live in a state that's climate-compatible with parts of California, it's a book you may want to consider. 

This is the latest in Timber's Plant Lover's Guide series, The plant lover's guide to clematis, and I can't think of a serious gardener who wouldn't want a copy of this book.  Author Linda Beutler is curator of the Rogerson Clematis Collection in West Linn, Oregon, and she was the first American president of the International Clematis Society.  There's a brief discussion of the genus, explaining the difference between various kinds of vines, and section on how to design with clematis, including lists of which ones are most reliable, which ones are best for containers and the like.

Then, there's a comprehensive listing of various clematis, with photos and descriptions of each, along with cultural recommendations.  At the back of the book, you'[ll find info on siting, planting, growing, and pruning clematis with excellent explanatory photos.  And, a big bonus … a listing of nurseries around the world that specialize in the species.  Of course new hybrids are being developed all the time, so my current favorite, 'Sweet Summer Love', a purple version of sweet autumn, didn't make it in the book.

Even though California has gotten a lot of snow this past winter, the state is still in a phase of drought, so it's a must-have for any California gardener who wants a little color and interest in the landscape.  Written by designer Greg Rubin and author Lucy Warren, The Drought-Defying California Garden: 230 Native Plants for a Lush Low-Water Landscape profiles native trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers that require little water and are friendly to wildlife.  There are brief descriptions and photos of each one, and in the back of the book you'll find planting, irrigation and growing tips to keep your plants healthy and thriving.  Anyone who lives in a climate that's similar to California would find this book a welcome addition to the garden library.