Product Description

Seedheads are key components of the naturalistic garden. After providing historical context, Noël Kingsbury explains how plants reproduce and participate in the garden's wider ecology and explores the role of seedheads' in diverse gardens worldwide. An analysis of seedheads' aesthetic merits is accompanied by cultivation advice and a plant directory. Jo Whitworth's compelling photographs capture the seedheads' unique qualities.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #771340 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From Booklist
Prolific writer and designer Kingsbury focuses on a key element of the naturalistic garden style with which he is associated: the fading allure of plants flaunting their showy seedheads. Winter gardens have been all the rage; now Kingsbury accords the autumn season equal attention in his discussion of the ornamental cycle of grasses, flowers, and herbaceous perennials. Lavishly illustrated with color photographs, Kingbury's richly descriptive writing draws readers into a fascinating botanical realm where pods, papery seedcases, awns, and burrs dance on the wind, find their way to terra firma, and ultimately germinate, continuing the circle of life. Designing with seedheads utilizes their visual impact up close and from a distance. Presenting a wealth of options, Kingsbury acts as an aesthetic guide to seeing beauty from a wilder perspective while also explaining how to integrate seedheads into formal settings. With tips on cultivation and a comprehensive plant directory, Kingbury's latest should prove exciting for gardeners open to new ideas. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"This beautiffuly photographed book showcases the unusual textures and striking silhouettes of plants past their prime." -- Seattle Times

"Garden books are often beautiful; they are often educational or useful. Less often they are all three. Kingsbury delivers the dramatic impact of nature's fantastic wombs."
—John Bagnasco, Garden Compass, September/October 2006 (Garden Compass )

"Noël Kingsbury and photographer Jo Whitworth capture the shapes, textures and, yes, drama of plants gone to seed. ... But just as important as the appreciation lesson is the book's plant directory, the only directory of plants chosen for their spectacular seedheads."
—Sharon Wootton, Olympia Olympian, September 30, 2006 (The Olympia Olympian )

"This beautifully photographed book showcases the unusual textures and striking silhouettes of plants past their prime. ... If you aren't interested in the botany of seedheads, you'll find plenty of design ideas to keep you reading."
—Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, October 1, 2006 (Seattle Times )

Garden books are often beautiful; they are often educational or useful. Less often they are all three. Kingsbury delivers the dramatic impact of nature's fantastic wombs. John Bagnasco, Garden Compass, September/October 2006 (Garden Compass )

Nol Kingsbury and photographer Jo Whitworth capture the shapes, textures and, yes, drama of plants gone to seed. ... But just as important as the appreciation lesson is the book's plant directory, the only directory of plants chosen for their spectacular seedheads. Sharon Wootton, Olympia Olympian, September 30, 2006 (The Olympia Olympian )

This beautifully photographed book showcases the unusual textures and striking silhouettes of plants past their prime. ... If you aren't interested in the botany of seedheads, you'll find plenty of design ideas to keep you reading. Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, October 1, 2006 (Seattle Times )

From the Publisher
In this book, Noël Kingsbury explores the role of seedheads in diverse gardens worldwide. An analysis of seedheads' aesthetic merits is accompanied by cultivation advice and a plant directory.

Customer Reviews

This would make a nice gift for the gardener
This book has some beautiful close up photographs of seedheads. If you are looking for different ideas or ways to extend the life of your flowers, take a look at "Seedheads in the Garden." I plan to plant a few of the flowers next season, just to have their unique seedheads. This is a book many gardeners may not have seen yet, but will be glad to get for a Christmas gift this year.

New Classic - Beautiful Photography - Joins "The Garden In Autumn" by Allen Lacy as Favorite
Photography unequalled in any book I've seen! At each turn of the page, the close-ups and the long garden shots are diverse and imaginative. I would never have thought that the Raw Umbers, the Burnt Siennas, and the rich grays of many seeds and pods could be so interesting. A photo of silvery hoar frost on 'Karl Foerster' grass is a great contrast to the Jade-green seedheads of the opium poppy shown in another photo.

The text is too detailed to be of interest to me as a casual gardener, but is certainly complete enough to satisfy the serious garden designer or plant specialist.

An unexpected delight is the Plant Directory with photos.

What wonderful garden art
I have extensively looked at the pictures, but have the written content still to read. The book made me realize just how much art is in the garden in fall and winter. Muted colors. Textures. Shapes. Contrasts. Themes.
Balance. Very valuable book for a designer and a lecturer.