Well Designed Mixed Garden

Covers mixed garden design concepts, exploring color, texture, form, principles, and maintenance.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Mixed garden design basics: why a mixed garden?; first steps in the design process; color, texture and form; design principles; putting it on paper - drawing the design; art in the mixed garden; maintaining the mixed garden. Part 2 Mixed garden design examples: small and medium gardens; large gardens. Part 3 Encyclopedia of plant combinations. Appendix A: scientific and common names. Appendix B: plants by design characteristics - design chart; flower, foliage and fruit color; color schemes; texture; form; heights; winter interest; fruit, seedheads; evergreen foliage; cut flowers; fragrance; songbirds; hummingbirds; butterflies. Appendix C: plants by maintenance characteristics: culture chart; light requirements; dry shade; dry soil; wet soil; lower maintenance.

About the Author :
Tracy DiSabato-Aust, aka "the Queen of Deadheading," has earned international acclaim as one of America's most entertaining and knowledgeable garden writers and professional speakers. She has extensive experience in the United States and abroad, working for over 30 years in the industry, speaking for over 25 years and designing for over 20 years. Her experience includes stints at Longwood Gardens in the U.S., The Montreal Botanical Garden in Canada, the Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium, and Knightshayes Court in England. She earned a B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture from The Ohio State University. Her first book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, which has been referred to by many as "the bible for perennial maintenance," has become Timber Press' best selling book in their publishing history. Her second book, The Well-Designed Mixed Garden, brings her trademark exuberance, expertise, and efficiency to bear on frequently daunting elements of garden design, demystifying them with her direct approach. Tracy is a gifted and award winning designer who combines artistic vision with practical horticultural strategies. DiSabato-Aust is a frequent guest on national garden television and radio gardening shows. She is a dynamic speaker, and in great demand nationally and internationally on the lecture circuit. Venues include England's Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The English Gardening School, the Oxford Botanic Garden, the Smithsonian Institute, the Perennial Plant Association, and numerous botanical gardens and professional association meetings. She was awarded the 2004 Garden Media Award from the Perennial Plant Association. This award recognizes an individual whose educational and promotional efforts have resulted in a heightened awareness of perennials and the perennial industry. Tracy has contributed articles or been featured in numerous national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. Magazines include: Fine Gardening (she is a contributing editor), Horticulture, Country Gardens, Garden Gate, Organic Gardening, Midwest Living, American Nurseryman, Real Simple, and Garden Design. The New York Times, the Daily Telegraph in London, England, and the National Post, (Toronto, Canada) have all published articles on Tracy. When she's not out working in the garden, Tracy is working out in the gym. A self-professed "fitness fanatic," Tracy is a competitive triathlete who also appears in fitness training DVDs. She currently resides in Ohio with her husband and son.

Review :
DiSabato-Aust brings her trademark exuberance, expertise, and efficiency to bear on frequently daunting elements of garden design, demystifying them with her direct approach and encouraging gardeners with her infectious enthusiasm. A patient instructor with a keen sense of the essential, DiSabato-Aust explores areas other authors often ignore. ... [An] admirably inspirational, abundantly informative, and absolutely indispensable guide to great garden design. -- Carol Haggas Booklist 20021215 Provides sound direction for plant lovers looking to free their garden from the doldrums and fashion a rich tapestry of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vines, grasses, and bulbs... Beginners may be overwhelmed by this book's wealth of information, but its comprehensiveness renders it all the more valuable for seasoned gardeners seeking greater practical know-how and a surer grasp of the art of gardening. -- Jennifer Wyatt Amazon.com 20030224 This new book stands out for its comprehensive approach to designing the border... The motivated gardener will find a wealth of information and ideas in this book. -- Beth Clewis Crim Library Journal 20030201 The Well-Designed Mixed Garden is that rarest of books: One that combines inspirational material, hundreds of full-color photos, and meticulously organized information in an easy-to-read format. Northern Gardener 20030326 I appreciate the personal tone and examples from her own garden, as well as the fine plant combinations she suggests. -- Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20030323 This much-anticipated book is a nearly foolproof guide to every aspect of designing superior gardens with superior plants. Northwest Horticultural Society 20030507 'The Well-Designed Mixed Garden' will make many trips to my coffee table. And my kitchen table and bedside, and maybe even out to the garden. The author speaks to every level of gardener on every consideration leading to the design of a beautiful garden... It is truly amazing what DiSabato-Aust has managed to pack into just 460 pages... This book is one of the best investments you can make this year and for years to come. -- Jean Starr Munster (IN) Times 20030329 Provides not only inspiration but scrupulously organized information on design and connoisseur plants. Publishers Weekly 20030517 The photography and art work are excellent and add greatly to understanding the design principles presented in the text. -- Winston Dunwell Nursery Views 20030527 I urge you, whatever your status as a gardener, to consider putting this new book on your gardening list this spring... I predict it will prove its worth many times over. -- Jean S. Wexler Vineyard Gazette 20030503 Book of the Month ... A joy to read... Expert advice and superb photography. Gardens Monthly 20030611 Exciting gardening -- Tom Stuart-Smith Garden (Peterborough) 20030611 A master design manual for the entire garden and the one book you must have for growing anything. -- John Van de Water Newark Star-Ledger 20030611 Eagerly anticipated. -- Anne Marie Van Nest St. Catherines Standard 20030605 This book is as much a feast for the eyes as it will be a trusted reference for the library shelf. Michigan Gardener 20030518 Destined to become a well-thumbed resource for many gardeners. -- Kathleen Freimond GardenWise 20000701 What we gardeners relish most is practical information, and the book contains plenty of that. -- Judith Adams Canadian Gardening 20030624 Has a little for everyone. Florida International Magazine 20030624 A beautiful, oversized book, packed with information, charts, lists, photos and watercolor ilustrations. -- Barbara Lloyd McMichael Olympia Olympian 20030323 An excellent source for the weekend gardener, a sophisticated master gardener, and even a professional landscape designer. Chances are that you will continuously return to this book and make notes in the margin. -- George Graine Virginia Master Gardeners Association Report 20030601 A gorgeous and practical guide to having it all...The Well-Designed Mixed Garden is one of those enormous and comprehensive works that is equally at home on your coffee table or out in the potting shed. -- Amy Stewart American Gardener 20030721 This is the book for blending and combining all of the things you love into one landscape. -- Pam Beck Raleigh News and Observer 20030621 Packed with solid information and hundreds of inspiring ideas, beautifully illustrated ... A must-have reference in the home gardener's library. -- Ethel Fried Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer 20030627 A 'must-have' for designing a garden. Floral and Nursery Times 20030716 Tracy makes it possible for the novice gardener to design an artistic mixed garden. -- Joanne S. Carpender National Gardener 20030729 The Well-Designed Mixed Garden is one of those enormous and comprehensive works that is equally at home on your coffee table or out in the potting shed, where you can page through it as you plant. -- Amy Stewart American Gardener 20030712 Written in three parts, it is very well organized, taking each step, one at a time, to create a mixed garden. -- Marty Figley Michigan Observer and Eccentric 20030731 The book is the equivalent of a semester's worth of design lectures. Perennial Notes 20030903 Unlike so many books on garden design that tempt readers with pretty pictures and give little or no instruction as to how to accomplish such delights, this work begins with site evaluation and takes readers through the complete design process. -- John R. Beaudry Chicago Botanic Garden 20030903 A solid, informative read. -- Mary Davies Irish Garden 20030911 The text is rich with information and the author's insights. -- Linda Coyner Senior Women Web 20030917 The newest book by this author who does a fine job in presenting ideas on how to combine plant elements to yield a unified whole. Her ideas are basically down-to-earth and ones which most home gardeners can relate to with ease. -- Georgene Bramlage Suite101.com 20030715 Superb and inspiring photographs. -- Leonard Perry Perry's Perennial Pages 20030926 Tracy DiSabato-Aust does not skip a stone over the pond of an idea; she immerses herself in it and swims deep and wide ... This book, an outstanding work of gardening scholarship, is at the same time down to earth, inspiring, practical, and altogether useful if you want to develop an extraordinary mixed garden. -- Gordon Hayward Horticulture 20030901 Owning a copy of this book is like having a 24-hour daily access to a talented landscape designer. -- Judy Lowe Christian Science Monitor 20001231 Written for gardeners who are... hooked on plants of all kinds. -- Dorothea Smith Westchester Journal News 20031211 An over-sized, elegantly produced book of beautiful photos of beautiful combinations. Look forward to well-crafted design basics and hefty appendices. Consider this a great second act for Tracy and a real gift for fledging or experienced designer. -- Donna Williamson HortResources Newsletter 20040121 This big volume organizes the author's decades of professional experience into a foolproof guide that will serve gardeners well. It's an education in design fundamentals, site evaluation, color theory, planting and maintenance. -- Jim Carlson Backyard Solutions 20040421 This book is written by an expert for those who aspire to become experts in design fundamentals. Real Simple 20040421 The Well-Designed Mixed Garden teaches the basics of things like coordinating flower and leaf colors, paying attention to plant textures, and giving unity to the whole shebang with little tricks like repeating plant groupings and getting dominant specimens in just the right spot. -- George Weigel Harrisburg Patriot-News 20040408 Equally as thorough as her first book, this is certainly a must-have design reference for the serious and dedicated perennial, particularly for those that design gardens for other people. New Perennial Club Newsletter 20040526 DiSabato-Aust focuses on design and combining shrubs, trees, annuals, perennials and other plants into a garden. She uses a step-by-step approach to instruct beginning gardeners, and covers topics often overlooked such as site evaluation, color theory and planning for maintenance. -- Andrea Bogos Grand Rapids Press 20040328 A well-planned reference source...the writing is friendly, with botanical jargon kept to a minimum. -- Rosemarie Papayanopulos Pullman Daily Evergreen 20030609 With an encyclopedia of connoisseur plants, suggested plant combinations, and garden composition ideas, this book is sure to be a trusted and treasured reference for your personal garden library. -- Kelsey Blackwell Utah Style and Design 20040701 An inspiring, satisfying sensory over-load. -- Leah Berg Kansas City Gardener 20040530 Makes a good case for the "mixed garden": year-round interest with a beguiling variety of plants. -- Joe Harvey American Rhododendron Society Journal 20040916 This was worth waiting for. -- Nancy Brachey Charlotte Observer 20030412 Innovative ideas for designing with annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. -- Lorraine Flanigan Canadian Gardening 20060401 A master class in plant and color mixing. -- Sandra Barrera and Sharon Betz Los Angeles Daily News 20091030 Whether embarking on a DIY project, or enlisting the services of a professional, this book can save time and money. ... Readers will come away with the 'I get it' feeling. -- Nancy Szerlag Detroit News 20091106 This new paperback edition puts the emphasis on design and helpfully explains how to put one's own design ideas on paper. -- Nancy Szerlag Hartford Courant 20091211