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...
That mutabilis must be the best rose ever. It is blooming down here, too, even though it has been hot and dry! NZ flax does not do well here -- it is iffy as you say -- temperamental, not liking it too hot, nor too cold. Yours looks good. I like the yellow pine and yellow sedum --- would be kinda fun together.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is full of wonders in December. Some varieties of Phormium are hardier than others but good drainage seems to be the key to success. Birds like to plant holly all over the garden.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your stroll. I too love Salvia 'Amistad'. It has not proved hardy for me in my relatively mild winters, but I don't mind purchasing it as an annual. Your Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet' is fantastic; I can imagine what it will be like when it blooms.
ReplyDeleteYour garden doesn't seem to mind the cold weather. If Armistad is like Black and Blue Salvia it will come back and be larger and stronger. That Holly does have pretty leaves. I don't think I have ever seen it. How is that terraced are coming along? I hope you get it done this winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe stroll in your garden was marvelous and I admire the combinations of color and texture that you have, which bring interest in December. I also have a Skyland Spruce (since 2008),which is now about 15-18 feet tall. it is in located in a southeastern exposure with some afternoon light shade from a neighbors large maple across the street. I do know they don’t like intense sun all day, which could cause scorching. Thank you for the wonderful tour. I enjoyed it immensely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee!
DeleteYour garden looks awesome, Phillip.
ReplyDeleteAs Deb said, I'm particularly impressed with that Viburnum. I presume it's an evergreen one?
As for that holly -- dang, looks dangerous! :O
Yes, it is evergreen.
DeleteAre you familiar with the Plant Identification and Discussion Facebook group? The group has over 100K members and has proven to be a valuable resource in identifying even the most obscure plant, down to its exact variety, in a matter of minutes. I'm sure they can name the variety of your Holly.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, I have enjoyed watching your garden grow.
Hello Sharon, I think I am a member of that group. Thank you for reminding me. I did not even think of that!
DeletePhillip, loved the stroll. I have three 'Marie Pavie' and one of them has those pink buds especially in cool weather. So beautiful. It's not been very wintry here in Oklahoma. We're having what we call a "Texas winter," but I hear that for Christmas, it's going to get very cold and perhaps, even snow! Since we rarely get snow especially at Christmas that would be a real treat. Thanks for taking around with you. You seem to be adapting so well to your new place and garden.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteI should have noticed if the buds were always that pink in the winter.
DeleteYour garden is a wonderful place to be, even in wet winter weather. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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