Skip to main content

Featured

Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
1 comment
Read more
Labels

The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden - a book review


The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden
by Stacy Tornio
Timber Press, 2024

This colorful guide is a good introduction for beginning gardeners who want to attract wildlife. The focus is on four major groups - birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. There is also an additional chapter on "Other Wildlife" which offers brief notes on attracting dragonflies, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, earthworms, etc. It even mentions squirrels and rabbits, but my question is - who would want these in the garden?!!

Each section begins with profiles of the major players with a description, photo and list of statistical information such as physical characteristics, nesting habits, diet and range. This is followed by a section of plants that are beneficial. The plants include trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.


A section titled "Show Me How to Plan a Garden" features five or six plants with an illustration to use in whatever type of garden you are making (shade, drought-tolerant, songbird, hummingbird, etc.). 



A final FAQ section answers questions about native plants, organic gardening and problems one might encounter.

The book is well illustrated with beautiful photographs and drawings. I would recommend the book as a gift for someone just starting out with gardening or for someone who wants to identify birds or butterflies. I'm not sure I would use the word "Ultimate" in the title as the information on both plants and birds is quite minimal, but it is a good starting point.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts