The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden

May 15, 2014

"Knowing your plants means less work," says Diblik, a garden designer and owner of Northwind Perennial Farm. He encourages readers to use this knowledge to design and maintain gardens in ways that mimic natural plant communities and thereby reduce maintenance needs. Introductory chapters cover garden and plant characteristics, site preparation, planting, and, yes, maintenance. These are followed by profiles of 74 perennials, grasses, sedges, and bulbs that will, according to the author, thrive with minimal attention in most of the northern United States. Entries are arranged alphabetically by botanical name and include common names, a full-color photo, information on flower, foliage, size, bloom time, and growing conditions, and a recommended companion plant. The author then provides 62 garden plans using the profiled plants, each for a 10' x 14' area; plant lists and care notes are included. VERDICT Diblik's approach to garden design and maintenance, combined with the plans, will help experienced gardeners in the Northern regions of the States take their gardens to the next level. Novices will need more basic information, and gardeners in other areas will benefit from consulting an appropriate regional gardening guide, since the plant profiles do not include information about heat tolerance or USDA hardiness zones.--Janet Crum, Northern Arizona Univ. Lib., Flagstaff

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