American Roots - a book review

"American Roots: Lessons and Inspiration from the Designers Reimagining Our Home Gardens" (how's that for a title?) is a showcase of 20 gardens across the United States. The gardens featured are the creations of people who work in the horticultural industry in some way - most are landscape designers but there are also event planners, flower arrangers, photographers, etc. 

The book is visually appealing and there is an abundance of creativity and ideas to ponder. The authors wanted to show that American gardens are diverse and they have succeeded. You will find a range of gardening styles on display - cottage, eclectic, native and many that take advantage of their natural surroundings. And it was refreshing to see so many gardens that utilize a wide range of plants and hardscape materials instead of focusing on the individual element styles that seem to be in vogue these days. I love grasses but I think I've seen enough Oudoulf style gardens to placate me for a while. And don't get me started on "crevice gardens"! I totally don't get it! 

The gardens are divided by location and each gardener includes a list of their favorite plants and tips on design.

The Midwest section includes the author's garden in Ohio and several Wisconsin gardens. Benjamin Vogt's prairie-style garden in Lincoln, Nebraska is also included (the only one in the book that I was familiar with). One of my favorites is Jeff Epping's Madison, Wisconsin garden where he ripped out the front lawn and replaced it with a gravel garden filled with environmental-friendly plants.

Jeff Epping's shady backyard with a variety of sedges, ferns and
both native and non-native perennials

The East Coast section includes some gorgeous gardens in Rhode Island, New York and Delaware. I like all of them but I especially love the scene below in Dan Benarcik and Peggy Anne Montgomery's garden in Wilmington, Delaware.

The grotto garden underneath five dawn redwoods in Dan Benarcik and Peggy Anne Montgomery's garden in Wilmington, Delaware.

 

The South has gardens in Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Keith Robinson, a former event planner, renovated a 7-acre property and farmhouse in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. There is a beautiful two-page spread photo of the garden that was too large to scan (there are actually numerous two-page photo spreads throughout the book that are wonderful) so the following will have to suffice.

Keith Robinson garden (Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia)

The West showcases gardens in California, Washington and Oregon. The California gardens are beautiful as is the small Seattle garden of Scot Eckley (below). 

Scot Eckley garden (Seattle, Washington)

Many thanks to Timber Press who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy