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The author, William Mulligan, was a well-known designer and authority on latticework. His book begins in the past, making the necessary historical connections between old world and modern day uses of lattice. Then, picture after picture (200 in color) demonstrates how trellises, arbors, pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions can be used as garden structures to anchor the garden to the house.
If you're convinced that lattice is what your garden needs, there are also do-it-yourself projects for large and small gardens. And, Mulligan also adds an extensive plant directory (color photos, of course) of 100 of the best climbing plants and flowering vines.
But, this, unfortunately, will be the last we'll hear from William Mulligan. His work on this beautiful book was barely finished before his death in May 1995, leaving his tribute to garden structures as a grand addition to any gardener's library.
From lattice structures to green structures--topiary. Oh yes, one can hear the groans go up even from this distance. You say you couldn't possibly create topiary? Rubbish. They're child's play. Jenny Handy (a British botanist, freelance horticultural journalist, and garden designer) makes it easy in her Quick and Easy Topiary and Green Sculpture.
This reviewer grows rosemary standards of all sizes and places them in Italian clay pots where they can sun themselves all summer long on low stone walls (those images are beautiful on dead winter days, aren't they?). Can you be persuaded? You'll be hooked once you leaf through her small book and view the 300 photos and easy-to-follow instructions. Handy demonstrates the basic techniques for creating obelisks, cones, spirals, animals, and other subjects. Want to train plants to grow on wire frames? Instructions for this and more, plus a list of suggested tools is included.
And, yes, there are instructions for growing those rosemary standards mentioned earlier as well as flowering and fruit standards. Tips on the care of your topiary and an extensive plant directory are also provided. Now, all you need to do is build a low stone wall.
It seems logical to place an herb book just after a book on topiary because herbs have always been used in creating topiary. But, there are other reasons why you'll like The Herb Gardener by Susan McClure. McClure has laid out her book well--she's divided it into five parts. Part 1 introduces the reader to herbs beginning with definition and habitat. Part 2 moves on to herb gardening basics such as herb bed design and proper environment for plants to thrive. Part 3 takes the reader through each season of the year, offering planning advise for garden projects. Part 4 ends up at the logical destination when discussing herbs--recipes and crafts. And, Part 5 includes a handy plant directory. The author also adds the addresses of mail-order nurseries and herb supply houses. There are photos galore, and McClure's helpful hints (such as building your own brick walks and making pebbled stepping stones) are easy to follow. The reader is also treated to a trip to McClure's own herb garden.
Pat Regel is a gardener and an Associate Professor of English. She can be reached at pat_regel@bookpage.com.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.