The Well-Designed Mixed Garden Building Beds and Borders with Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs

About this book

The Well-Designed Mixed Garden is a design book with a difference. Written for gardeners who are passionate about plants of all kinds (hence the "mixed garden" of the title), it reflects decades of professional experience and artistic innovation. As with her bestselling book "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden", master designer and plantswoman Tracy DiSabato-Aust provides not only inspiration but also scrupulously organized information on design and connoisseur plants - all from original research dating back to her degree work in horticulture.

This reprint is a master class of design fundamentals, with an emphasis on often-neglected topics, such as site evaluation, color theory, and planning for maintenance. It is also a gallery of detailed design plans that show how ideas are put onto paper and then translated into three dimensions. Lessons learned in its first two parts are strengthened in an 'Encyclopedia of Plant Combinations'; each entry notes the design considerations at play and provides tips on how to keep the combination looking its best. And the lifetime care needs and unique design characteristics of featured plants are summarized in the useful charts and lists that conclude the book.

The result is a nearly foolproof guide to every aspect of designing superior gardens with superior plants. With more than 250 color photos and illustrations, this book is as much a feast for the eyes as it will be a trusted reference for the library shelf.

Contents

Preface by C. Colston Burrell
Preface
Acknowledgements

Part 1 Mixed Garden Design Basics: Why A Mixed Garden?
- First Steps In The Design Process
- Color, Texture And Form
- Design Principles
- Putting It On Paper - Drawing The Design
- Art In The Mixed Garden
- Maintaining The Mixed Garden

Part 2 Mixed Garden
- Design Examples: Small And Medium Gardens
- Large Gardens

Part 3 Encyclopedia Of Plant Combinations

Appendix A: Scientific And Common Names.

Appendix B: Plants By Design Characteristics -
- Design Chart
- Flower, Foliage And Fruit Color
- Color Schemes
- Texture
- Form
- Heights
- Winter Interest
- Fruit, Seedheads
- Evergreen Foliage
- Cut Flowers
- Fragrance
- Songbirds
- Hummingbirds
- Butterflies

Appendix C: Plants By Maintenance
- Characteristics
- Culture Chart
- Light Requirements
- Dry Shade
- Dry Soil
- Wet Soil
- Lower Maintenance

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Metric Conversion Chart
Glossary
Bibliography
Sources
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Tracy DiSabato-Aust has earned international acclaim as one of America's most entertaining and knowledgeable garden writers and professional speakers. She has extensive experience in the United States and abroad with more than 35 years in the industry and is a gifted and award-winning designer who combines artistic vision with practical horticultural strategies.

When Tracy is not busy with horticulture adventures she is training and racing as a four-time All-American triathlete for Team USA and is a national and world champion in her age group.