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Mind Amendment - time to hit the books

© Emily Levitt

Fall is definitely here, and with its onset, the planning of next spring's garden has begun to tickle the back of my tiny brain. It's time to start poring over books and catalogs in anticipation of a stunning display in the year 2000.

First, the bad news: I am MOST unhappy to have discovered that my favorite gardener's tome is currently out of print.

"The Southern Gardener's Book of Lists" by Lois Trigg Chaplin has been at the top of my green thumb gift giving list for quite a while--years, in fact. It is SO easy to use and carry around, regardless of your level of gardening expertise, and it isn't expensive.

I bet I've given at least a dozen copies to friends in just the last three years, and I hate to see it going away. It's a treasured staple in my gardening library. I have shelves filled with fancy four-color plant and garden books, which are wonderful to have as inspiration, but aren't worth dragging with you to the nursery. This is the perfect practical compliment to those "pretty books."

Ms. Chaplin's is by far the most useful book around. It is exceptionally well organized and has plant materials listed in loads of categories--dry shade, wet sun, bloom time, color, height, and temperament, to name just a few. Thumbnail tips from professionals across the South and Southeast Coast are highlighted, and there are nursery recommendations for almost every area.

Now, the good news:

http://www.southerngardening.com/revs/in...
lists it as available on-line, and it's still around on some store bookshelves, so if you want a copy, grab one NOW! This site also has reviews of other books which are particularly relevant to Florida, and coastal Deep South.

I have contacted the publishers, Taylor Publishing Company of Dallas Texas, to see if this book is being updated (I hope?) or is destined to be re-issued in the near future, and will share any response.

THE SOUTHERN GARDENERS' BIBLES by my gardening heros, Michael Dirr and Allan Armitage

I've had the opportunity to hear the authors lecture, and their natural enthusiasm for all things related to gardens and gardening comes through in these books.

"Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses" - by Michael A. Dirr

This is an absolute gem. Dr.Dirr is continually researching and updating his information on this subject, and no one is easier to read. Reviews of all Micheal Dirr's books are widely available, and uniformly praised.

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