Synopses & Reviews
Most of us think of winter as the time when the garden sleeps and our attention turns to indoor activities. Yet
Better Homes & Gardens contributing editor Suzy Bales lures us to the windows, the garden paths, and outdoor areas to witness the beauty and vitality of the winter garden.
The possibilities for creating interest in the winter landscape are considerable. Through Suzys eyes, youll discover the intriguing patterns of tree bark; the sculptural shapes created by trees, arching vines, shrubs, and seedheads of perennials and grasses; the outline of outdoor structures, containers, and ornaments; and the unexpected but welcome dashes of color added by conifers, berries, early bulbs, and yes, even flowers. Suzy provides details on the best plants and cultivars to choose and explains how to group them for the most arresting vignettes.
Suzy devotes an entire chapter sharing her secrets for creating one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths, unique centerpieces and mantel arrangements, and striking outdoor features with greens, interesting branches, berries, cones, and seedpods from her winter garden. Sometimes whimsical, always useful, her suggestions and ideas bring the outdoors in to brighten the darkest time of year.
You will also find descriptions of places and people who celebrate winter in unusual ways, such as Les Blake, the creator of "fire and ice" sculptures in Alaska, or the village of Cooperstown, New York, that decorates for the holidays with a flourish.
This book overflows with ideas for transforming your views in winter. Plan for the quiet season by following the suggestions of garden enthusiast Suzy Bales and your garden will continue to delight you through the year.
Synopsis
Add texture, color, graceful shapes, and surprising beauty to the winter landscape—and turn any garden into a year-round enchantment In this beautifully packaged gardening treasury, Better Homes and Gardens contributing editor Suzy Bales offers a guide to creating visual garden interest that will add brightness, warmth, and cheer to those cold winter months when the outdoor landscape is often bare and drab.
In this idea-packed guide, gardeners will find:
• lists of best trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials, and grasses for winter impact
• striking suggestions for stand-out decorating and unusual plantings in pots, urns, window boxes, hanging baskets, and other containers
• a whole chapter devoted to decorating for the holidays with interesting branches, berries, cones, and seedpods from the winter garden
• best bulbs and perennials to plant for midwinter and early spring surprises in the garden
• places to visit—including arboretums, gardens, nurseries, and towns—that celebrate the outdoors in winter Filled with 150 color photographs, this gorgeous book is overflowing with practical suggestions and inspiring ideas for transforming the outdoor view in winter with plantings that celebrate the season’s quiet beauty.
About the Author
SUZY BALES is a contributing editor at Better Homes and Gardens and the author of Suzy Bales' Down to Earth Gardener. She divides her time between Manhattan and Oyster Bay on Long Island, where she maintains her extensive gardens.