New Southern Living Garden Book, The

Southern Living, Mar 2004 by Bender, Steve

The New Southern Living Garden Book This completely revised edition is the one gardening reference every Southerner needs to succeed.

If you aren't into heavy lifting, get someone to help you, because it will take both hands to pick up the new Southern Living Garden Book. Completely revised and updated, it weighs in at 720 information-packed pages and describes more than 7,000 great plants. This is the most comprehensive book on Southern gardening ever published.

Those who already have the original Southern Living Garden Book may wonder, "Why do I need a new one?" Well, a lot of things have changed in the South since we published the first book. People continue to move here in droves, bringing different plants with them. Producers introduce fascinating plants seemingly every 15 minutes. And horticultural science never stops showing us ways to make gardening easier.

More Plants, Info, and Color

The revised book reflects all of this. You will find 2,000 more plants in this version than in the earlier one, with greatly expanded coverage of tropicals, native species, houseplants, and herbs. We've included 1,200 color illustrations and more than 1,300 color photographs. And because heat has such a major impact on how plants grow here, most of the ones listed now carry both a Southern Living Climate Zone rating and an American Horticultural Society Plant Heat Zone rating. This helps you know where in our region a plant is likely to succeed.

Good News for Novices

While experienced gardeners will find this book to be indispensable, we realize that most people don't know scientific names. They mainly want to have pretty yards and get their questions answered. If this sounds like you, then you'll love the book's plant selection guides. These 34 lists feature hundreds of color photos. They help you find the plants you want quickly, whether they're flowers, trees, vegetables, or whatever. You'll also find lists of plants to solve many common problems and needs, such as plants that tolerate shade, plants that take drought, plants that attract birds and butterflies, and plants that won't be eaten by deer.

From A to Z

The heart of the book is the "Southern Plant Encyclopedia." Thousands of plants are described, accompanied by hundreds of color illustrations and photos. Each listing gives common and botanical names, the family to which that plant belongs, what type it is, how much water and sun it needs, and where in the South it grows.

Along with descriptions, the encyclopedia includes expert tips from our Garden Editors. You'll learn answers to such everyday questions as:

* Which roses don't require spraying?

* What kind of soil do azaleas need?

* How can I grow a giant pumpkin?

* Why won't my peonies bloom?

* When should I trim monkey grass?

* How do you prune crepe myrtles?

And Much, Much More

Following the plant encyclopedia is "A Practical Guide to Gardening." In this 73-page section, you'll find basic information and step-by-step instructions on topics such as how to prune, how to choose fertilizers, how to build good soil, how to water, how to control pests, how to plant correctly, and how to care for the lawn.

We've also included a helpful "Resource Directory" filled with quick information about public gardens in the South, a list of mail-order nurseries, a glossary of gardening terms, and telephone numbers for cooperative Extension services in every Southern state. STEVE BENDER