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Waterwise Gardening - a book review

Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need To Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard by Richard Restuccia Published by Rizzoli, 2025 I would guess that watering is the major issue that most gardeners grapple with, especially novice gardeners. I know from working at the nursery that the majority of questions and issues we get stem from either watering too much or not watering enough.  Many people in our area have sprinkler systems and I'm sure that can be a good thing if used properly but I feel that they primarily keep the lawns green but fall short for landscape plants. Especially when it comes to trees and larger plants, the timing and amounts are not satisfactory for many plants. I often hear people say that their sprinklers are set to come on every day - yikes! And there are those who did not water because it "rained" when it actually drizzled.  The best thing to do in this situation is to have a xeric garden but that would mean sacrificing favorite plant...
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Abyssinian gladiolus

Gladiolus murielae  
This is the first time I've grown these bulbs. I just picked them up at Home Depot early in the spring. Gladiolus murielae is also known by a variety of common names including "Peacock Orchid," "Sword Lily," "Acidanthera" and "Fragrant Gladiolus". It is native to the mountain areas of East Africa. They grow about 2 feet tall and bloom in late summer. They are supposedly hardy in our zone (zone 7). So far, not as much profuse bloom as I'd hoped but there has been a scattering of blooms during the past weeks.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. GailSeptember 4, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    That's a lovely flower.

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  2. aquablueroseSeptember 4, 2013 at 11:21 PM

    What a beautiful flower & photo, dear Phillip!!

    Gerri xxoo

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  3. David OliverSeptember 4, 2013 at 11:43 PM

    I like lilies a lot but not sure I like that black in the center. I guess it is black, maybe really dark purple?

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 5, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    Maybe they need a year or so to get established. They do have a pretty bloom.

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  5. sandaSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I discovered these last year and they have quickly become a favorite. My bulbs from last year survived the winter in a pot. I bought more this year and have put some of the bulbs in the ground. I love them because they are fragrant.

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  6. Kylee BaumleSeptember 5, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    I've grown these for years and anxiously await their beautiful fragrance all summer. Love them!

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  7. Shenandoah KeplerSeptember 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Never heard of them, but after your photo, I will start looking for them now! Thanks for the introduction! Best to you!

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  8. UnknownSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    I tried those a few years back,here in Florida.They didn't bloom profusely,but they were beautiful when they did.But they didn't come back the next year.

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  9. Edith KentSeptember 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Beautiful blossom. These are new to me and I'm anxious to see some my sister has growing. Great photo....makes me want to try them!

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  10. LostRosesSeptember 5, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    Beautiful, Phillip, I hope they come back for you next year and bloom profusely!

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