logo Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:44:05 GMT

Dream Plants for the Natural Garden


Synopsis


Join two of the world's most influential garden designers, Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen, as they describe their ideal perennials, bulbs, grasses, ferns and small shrubs for your natural garden. This comprehensive compendium classifies these 1200 plants according to their behaviour, strengths and uses.

An ideal plant is one that is both beautiful and robust, performing reliably with very little input from the gardener - and without artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Rather than striving for big, bold masses of colourful blooms that are vigorously pruned back as soon as they have finished flowering, their innovative approach to gardening involves choosing plants chiefly for their form - leaves, flower heads and stems included - which means they retain their natural beauty through all the seasons. Find within:
 
  • 1200 beautiful and reliable plants used by top garden designers
  • Full descriptions and growing instructions
  • Unique easy-to-follow classification according to growing behaviour and use in the garden
  • Natural gardening, without artificial fertilizers or pesticides
  • More than 250 full-colour photographs

With these plants and expert advice, create a garden that will thrive with the life of the insects and birds it welcomes.

Piet Oudolf, Henk Gerritsen

Summary

Chapter 1: The Allure of Dream Plants

This chapter introduces the concept of dream plants, which are plants that evoke a sense of mystery, tranquility, or wonder. Real-life examples include:

* Moonflower (Ipomoea alba): Its large, white blooms open at night, releasing a sweet fragrance that attracts moths.
* Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis): Its heart-shaped pink flowers create a sense of nostalgia and romance.

Chapter 2: A Garden of Dreams

This chapter explores the design principles for creating a dream garden. Tips include:

* Using plants with different sizes, shapes, and textures to create visual interest.
* Incorporating scents, such as jasmine or lavender, to evoke emotions.
* Creating focal points with eye-catching plants, such as irises or delphiniums.

Chapter 3: Plant Profiles for Dream Plants

This comprehensive chapter provides detailed descriptions of over 50 popular dream plants. Each profile includes:

* Botanical name, common name, and plant family
* Description of appearance, including flower color, foliage, and growth habit
* Growing conditions, such as soil type, light requirements, and hardiness zone
* Cultural information, including propagation methods and pest management

Chapter 4: Dream Plants for Different Settings

This chapter offers suggestions for choosing dream plants based on specific garden settings:

* Shady Gardens: Plants like lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) and hostas thrive in dappled shade.
* Sunny Gardens: Sun-loving dream plants include daylilies (Hemerocallis) and coneflowers (Echinacea).
* Water Gardens: Marginal plants like iris pseudacorus and water lilies (Nymphaea) add beauty to ponds and water features.

Chapter 5: Harvesting the Dreams of Dream Plants

This chapter discusses how to appreciate and enjoy the benefits of dream plants:

* Creating Herbal Remedies: Plants like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) can be used for calming tea or tinctures.
* Attracting Wildlife: Dream plants like butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) provide nectar for pollinators.
* Aesthetic Enjoyment: The beauty of dream plants can inspire creativity, foster relaxation, and enhance the overall garden experience.