Ornamental Garsses have at least achieved the recognition they deserve for their beauty, longevity, ease of maintenance, and the key role they play in many ecosystems. Today--more than ever--gardeners, landscape designers and architects, and those charged with the stewardship of public spaces are using grasses boldly and freely. With this wider use has come the need for a reference that addresses both the aesthetic qualities of grasses in private gardens and the opportunities and challenges of using them in shared, public landscapes. The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes amply fills this need. Widely recognized for his advocacy and expert knowledge of grasses, Rick Darke has produced a work of unequalled depth and scope. Following introductory chapters that emphasize the unique physical beauty of grasses and their role in garden design, and provide pracical information on planting, cultivation, and maintenance of grasses, the bulk of the book is a comprehensive A-Z encyclopedia of grasses and grass look-alikes. General descriptions of each genus are followed by succinct but thorough descriptions including appearance, height, spread, behavior, and hardiness.
Not least among the book's outstanding features are the author's stunning photographs. Showing not only details of individual plants but also hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part, they provide an education every bit as essential as that provided by the text. The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes is sure to be the definitive resource for these popular and versatile plants for years to come.
The only truly comprehensive encyclopedia of grasses coupled with cutting-edge landscape design in one gorgeous volume.
"Opening chapters discuss the global significance, botany and beauty of grasses. Design, cultivation and maintenance are also detailed. The massive plant encyclopedia describes hundreds of different grasses...with specifics to help gardeners select the most appropriate grasses for their conditions and help nurseries decide which ones to stock." L. A. Times, Lili Singer
In this new book noted grass expert and advocate Rick Darke addresses both the aesthetic qualities of grasses in private gardens and the opportunities and challenges of using them in wild and constructed public landscapes. All the true grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, and cattails that possess ornamental merit or that can contribute to ecological plantings are described, and practical matters of propagation, growth, and maintenance are also covered. More than 1000 stunning photographs show details of individual plants and hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part. This worthy successor to The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is a new type of design reference that sets a standard for inspired, sustainable use of grasses.
"...what a beauty. Rick is one of the best of all time; passionate about gardening and plants." Bob Hill, host of Homegrown
In this worthy successor to The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, Rick Darke has created a new type of design reference that sets a standard for inspired, sustainable use of grasses in private gardens as well as in wild and constructed public landscapes. Includes more than 1000 stunning photographs.
“The book is a scholarly encyclopedia of ornamental grasses, the most comprehensive and well-researched book on the subject, and the one that will remain the most important reference on ornamental grasses for decades.â€
Rick Darke is a landscape design consultant and widely published author and photographer focused on regional landscape design. He has received the Scientific Award of the American Horticulture Society, and two of his books, The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses and The American Woodland Garden, have earned book awards. He lives in Landenberg, Pennsylvania.
Publisher: Timber Press
Distributor: Workman Publishing Company
Publication Date: 04-15-2007
Pages: 484
Measurements: 11.31in X 10.38in X 1.19in X 5.19lb
