Xeriscape Handbook: A How-to Guide to Natural ... (ISBN 1555913466)

Design from the Plant's Perspective!:
The Xeriscape Handbook goes into an area of landscape design not often touched on - landscape design from the plant's point of view. Gayle Weinstein has written a book that will help gardeners and landscape designers at all levels figure out why their planting designs aren't working out as planned and how to start moving in the right direction to achieve desired results. It's in big part due to Weinstein's writing style, which succeeds in making complicated subjects interesting without being overly simple or to scientific. The "root" of the problem is often found in the choices they make in plants for their site. To help people make the best choices, Weinstein's book provides plenty of good information about the environment and on why plants grow where they do. The book tells you how to organize plant groups according to their needs for water, sunlight, etc. to achieve what Weinsten calls "a compatible alliance among the garden, landscape, and natural world." One of the best things about the Xeriscape Handbook is that anyon in any part of the country can use it. Using the steps outlined in the book, you gain a better understanding of your site and the unique challenges you face in landscape projects. Yes, the book pays particular attention to more arid regions of the country, but it teaches all readers how to "read" their own site. Landscape Architects call this "site analysis" and use the techniques as one of the first steps in professional design. You can use the techniques too, no matter where you live and this book provides a clear outline on the steps involved in fun and interesting ways. Another Plus to this book is that it provides lots of good information on maintaining plants once you have selected them and have your design in the ground. Utilizing the "Principals of Xericsape" found in the book, you will end up with a landscape design that uses less water and is easier to care for, while still providing beauty and functionality. That saves not only money, but minimizes many of the frustrations faced in gardening. The bottom line is that everyone can use the information in this book to create better designs, in ways that connect and relate their design to the beauty of the natural world...no matter where you are in it. As a Landscape Architect, I highly recommend this book along as a good addition to any gardening library.

usable and encouraging:
well laid out and thought out book for beginners and more advanced xeriscapers alike