Product Description

Ornamental grasses are among the most versatile and sophisticated of garden plants. Planted as single specimens in beds or on the terrace in a container, grasses are striking focal points. Smaller forms bring rhythm and diversity to mixed borders, and clumping forms richly carpet the ground. This beautifully illustrated book by two imaginative garden designers will provide equal measures of information and inspiration.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #359522 in Books
• Published on: 1998-02-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: Dutch, English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 152 pages

Review
"...for thoughtful guidance and solid advice on growing ornamental grasses, you could do no better..." -- Ethel Fried, Journal Inquirer, November 2, 1998

"...one of the most inspiring garden plant and design books to come out of the growing interest in naturalistic gardening." -- Brian Maynard, HortScience, April 1998

"...the book is at the forefront of the new naturalistic planting trends...it provides visual inspiration and new ideas." -- Gardens Illustrated, January 1998

"Shows us how to use these graceful plants with flair and intelligence ...

... It will be the rare gardener who comes away from Gardening with Grasses without a determination to make his or her garden a grassier place."—Thomas Fischer, Horticulture, February 1998 (Thomas Fischer Horticulture )

"This is truly finesse gardening made attainable by anyone who chooses to try."—Bloomsbury Review, February 1998 (Bloomsbury Review )

Shows us how to use these graceful plants with flair and intelligence ... ... It will be the rare gardener who comes away from Gardening with Grasses without a determination to make his or her garden a grassier place.Thomas Fischer, Horticulture, February 1998 (Horticulture )

This is truly finesse gardening made attainable by anyone who chooses to try.Bloomsbury Review, February 1998 (Bloomsbury Review )

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Dutch

From the Publisher
Grasses hold particular interest for many gardeners because of their reliability and versatile contributions to fall and winter texture and form in the garden. Two internationally-recognized design experts who have used grasses for many years in designing public and private gardens have teamed up to remedy the lack of good information on grasses for the beginning and advanced gardener. With inspiring photographs and informative text, King and Oudolf catalog more than 150 varieties and cultivars and select the ornamental grasses, sedges, and bamboos most appropriate for a wide range of garden situations. The use of grasses as specimen plants, as ground covers, and in associations with other garden features and plants is documented in clear text complemented by handsome color photographs.

Customer Reviews

Not a great reference book
I'm writing this review to balance out all of the 'great' reviews this book has received. The book is okay, but it is not a great reference book. It has several faults:

First, the book is suppose to be about grasses, yet 25% of the text discusses garden flowers.

Second, many of the photos are cluttered or blurred. There were few species specific photos that displayed a single clear crisp grass variety.

Third, the book rambles and takes the long way to discribe a simple observation. Some readers will enjoy this style, but it's not for me. I want something that gets to the point.

Fourth, the species reference (called 'Selected Plant Catalogue'), is sparse and dated. For example, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam' is covered in just three words, 'outstanding variegated form'. Gee ... somehow I was expecting more information. There is not one photo of Overdam in the entire book. Likewise, there is no photo of Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'. These are two very popular grasses to have been leftout.

On the positive side, there are some neat winter photographs of grasses, and the book contains some useful information (but it is difficult to find it when you need it).

This is the kind of book that you're suppose to sit and read from cover to cover. A pleasure reading book. Not what I do with garden books, I read them rather like an encyclopedia - and this is not a good choice for a reference book.

Very disappointing...
I must say, I am astonished that this book has recieved the positive reviews that it has. I bought this book with the intent of gaining knowledge in the area of designing with grasses. I read it from start to finish and found that the entire text consisted of rambling, repetative, generalizations that were devoid of any substantial content. I was completely shocked that the authors would dare publish such wishy-washy material.

In addition, many of the photos are out of focus and the corresponding descriptions are often incomplete. The descriptions of specific grasses are very brief and many very popular grasses are not included at all.

I have never been more disappointed with a book purchase of any kind on any topic.

Excellent explanation and examples of mature plantings
We are a Landscape Design/Build firm specilizing in using ornamental grasses in our design concepts. We have found this book to be an excellent sales tool to show clients how the mature grasses will look in their L/S design. The text is extremely informative and gives a good basic knowledge of grasses to the novice. The photos are stunning.