The New American LandscapeThe New American Landscape

Gardeners are the front line of defense in our struggle to tackle the problems of global warming, loss of habitat, water shortages, and shrinking biodiversity. In The New American Landscape, author and editor Thomas Christopher brings together the best thinkers on the topic of gardening sustainably, and asks them to describe the future of the sustainable landscape. The discussion unfolds from there, and what results is a collective vision as eloquent as it is diverse.

The New American Landscape offers designers a roadmap to a beautiful garden that improves, not degrades the environment. It’s a provocative manifesto about the important role gardens play in creating a more sustainable future that no professional garden designer can afford to miss.

• John Greenlee and Neil Diboll on the new American meadow garden
• Rick Darke on balancing natives and exotics in the garden
• Doug Tallamy on landscapes that welcome wildlife
• Eric Toensmeier on the sustainable edible garden
• David Wolfe on gardening sustainable with a changing climate
• Elaine Ingham on managing soil health
• David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth on sustainable pest solutions
• Ed Snodgrass and Linda McIntyre on green roofs in the sustainable residential landscape
• Thomas Christopher on waterwise gardens
• Toby Hemenway on whole system garden design
• The Sustainable Site Initiative on the managing the home landscape as a sustainable site

Filled with clear descriptions and guidelines, this practical guide contains 11 chapters encapsulating current thinking and approaches to sustainable gardening. The key issue of water use is addressed in chapters that describe eliminating lawns and creating no-mow natural meadows; planting with drought-tolerant native, or mostly native landscapes; and creating roof gardens. A chapter is included on edible sustainable gardens. Detailed information is provided in each chapter for assessing a garden site, including measuring water use. Many case studies are cited throughout. Practical, clearly organized, and well-illustrated, this will be a great resource for gardeners of all levels of expertise. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)