Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design. From the undulating lines of Agave americana 'Marginata' to the frilly-leaved rosettes of Echeveria hybrids, succulents come in sculptural shapes, intriguing textures, and sizzling colors. Better still, these elegant plants—which survive drought by storing water in their leaves, stems, or roots—require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round.
Featuring the work of more than 50 professional garden designers and creative homeowners in dozens of private and public succulent gardens and containers, this complete design compendium is as practical as it is inspirational. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, it gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. A chapter on growing succulents in cold climates identifies those that thrive in zones 8 and below. The comprehensive "plant Palette" is an especially helpful resource, encompassing tall, treelike, and immense succulents and companion annuals, bulbs, ground covers, perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses, and vines.
The succulent gardener's canvas holds rich possibilities; here beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.
Debra's book is one of the most beautiful landscaping books I have ever seen. I snapped it up off the bookshelf as soon as I saw it! I had already been bitten by the cactus and succulent bug, but she gives such incredible ideas for plantings that I just got inspired all over again. There is just none better for photographs.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 5, 2009
For any gardener with a true interest in succulents this is a great book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have completely changed my mind about the beauty of succulants after reading this book. I am smitten with them, if not obsessed. I can't understand why I didn't notice them before in this depth. I have purchased many of these books as gift trying to change others people minds about planting drought tolerant gardens and I plan on buying one of these books for everyone on my board on the Chino Basin Water Conservation District. Wonderful Job Debra!! THanks so much for putting the effort into making this book. I love it! Kati Parker, Board President of the Chino Basin Water Conservation District
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 1, 2008
This is by far the best gardening book on succulent plants available today. It is a landscaper's dream as most of the photographs show these beautiful sculptural plants in many different types of settings and unique combinations. You will want to start a succulent garden as soon as you see all the great photography and ideas for planting. Debra is uniquely talented in that she not only has a great knowledge of plants, she is also an artist and photographer. This book is a keeper!
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Posted February 21, 2008
Most of the existing books on landscaping can be put into one of the three categories: a. Coffee table books with pretty photos. b. Encyclopedia of plants. c. Horticulture books. Only a few of the books on landscaping actually discuss design. 'Designing with Succulents' is so unique that it fits in all three categories and it is also a well-written design book. It has striking color photos, useful horticulture information, and it is an encyclopedia for succulents. This book also has detailed information on planning and design for gardens. Debra started with discussions on sun consideration, basic of garden design, front yard ideas, street side gardens, pathway plantings, slope and terraces and some useful and practical information on evaluating the soils, water and irrigation, and preparing and repairing. If you mention succulents, most people will think of them as sculptural plants with green-tone or gray-tone colors. Debra provided some fresh ideas and introduced succulents with vivid, colorful leaves and brilliant flowers into garden design. She also explored the issues of landscaping and fire safety, the design of green roof gardens, rock and boulder gardens, desert and cactus gardens, beach gardens, sea-themed succulent gardens, geometric plantings, as well as tapestry and labyrinth gardens with the use of succulents. 'Designing with Succulents' has a special chapter on pots, wreath and container gardens, including style and sizes, design principles and creative ideas for pots, wreath or topiary, and soils, sun and fertilizers, and water and drainage. I found this information to be very useful, especially for gardens with tight spaces and for remodel projects where planting areas are limited. This book also has information on growing succulents in colder climate, and plant care and propagation, and separate chapters for huge succulents, mid-sized succulents and small succulents. 'Designing with Succulents' has 256 pages and color interior photos. It is a must-have for both gardening novices and seasoned professionals.
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Posted November 22, 2009
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Posted May 16, 2010
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Overview
Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design. From the undulating lines of Agave americana 'Marginata' to the frilly-leaved rosettes of Echeveria hybrids, succulents come in sculptural shapes, intriguing textures, and sizzling colors. Better still, these elegant plants—which survive drought by storing water in their leaves, stems, or roots—require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round.
Featuring the work of more than 50 professional ...