Winter Reading

Publishers are busy releasing new titles for the Christmas season. Here are a few.....
Before we begin-Candace Parker has joined the social media team as our photographer. Her photo of pumpkins in Wendy Devlin's garden is our new header.

The labyrinth is one of the world's oldest symbols, and its meaning is often shrouded in myth and mystery or ties to religious rites. Today, this enigmatic form inspires artists to create their own interpretations in different, even unusual, ways, including by working with materials as varied as ice, snow, salt, wood, stone, glass, cement, and metal. This new collection features both classical examples and the best contemporary projects, showcasing work by artists, landscape artists, and architects from around the world. The diverse and stunning examples include pavement labyrinths of thirteenth-century French cathedrals, a historic English turf maze, Renaissance hedge mazes, and numerous present-day projects by artists and architects. Francesca Tatarella, Author

Gardeners can play a significant role in helping to sustain native plant diversity and providing refuge for threatened species of insects and sanctuary for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. The Life in Your Garden also describes the functional plants of a garden (with recommendations for understory trees and shrubs throughout North America) and their relationship with garden life, introducing the concept of a "garden insectary." That a gardener can be an important steward for our planet is a powerful concept, and here is the book that shows us how.
Reeser Manley and Majorie Perento, Authors

Proper pruning will keep your landscape beautiful and thriving year after year. This authoritative guide includes more than 300 step-by-step illustrations to clearly demonstrate the correct pruning procedures for a variety of trees, shrubs, hedges, vines, and flowers. Lewis Hill offers expert advice on when, how, and why each type of plant should be pruned, safety considerations, and techniques for maintaining your pruning tools. Encouraging you to get creative, Hill even shows you how to shape your own topiaries and train espaliers. Lewis Hill, Author

The oldest rose fossil was found in Colorado and dates to 35 million years ago. Marigolds, infamous for their ability to self-seed, are named for an Etruscan god who sprang from a ploughed field. And daffodils—an icon of spring—were introduced to Britain by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Every garden plant has an origination story, and Garden Flora, by noted garden designer Noel Kingsbury, shares them in a beautifully compelling way. This lushly illustrated survey of 133 of the most commonly grown plants explains where each plant came from and the journey it took into home gardens. Kingsbury tells intriguing tales of the most important plant hunters, breeders, and gardeners throughout history, and explores the unexpected ways plants have been used. Richly illustrated with an eclectic mix of new and historical photos, botanical art, and vintage seed packets and catalogs, Garden Flora is a must-have reference for every gardener and plant lover. Noel Kingsbury, Author

Twenty-six essential and practical woodwork projects that will provide your home with a dash of DIY, rustic charm. These easy, fun, and attractive wood creations are accompanied by clear, step-by-step instructions and photographs and are divided into projects for planting and growing and for socializing and relaxing, as well as fun items for children. Woodwork Projects for Your Garden and Porch will have you making elegant, yet functional, pieces, such as:

• Benches and long tables
• Swings and trellises
• Flower boxes and driftwood shelves
• A mini outdoor kitchen and greenhouse
• And many more!

Invest energy and love into your garden and porch and turn it into a personal oasis where you can unwind with a cup of coffee and a book, work on your gardening, or play games with the kids using the wooden pieces you have constructed with your own hands. 

Mattias Wenblad (Author), Malin Nuhma (Photographer)