Heirloom Gardening in the South: Yesterday's Plants for Today's Gardens (Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Series)

Beautiful and informative book

The blue chair on the cover caught my eye initially when I searched for a book about Southern gardening. Born in the Texas panhandle, but living in Louisiana all my life, this book brought back memories of my own grandparents and great grandparents. The authors are correct about plants remembered from childhood having a special place in one's heart. I took notes while reading since I am establishing a new garden in my mother-in-law's yard. I am keeping her Lantana since it reminds me of my own MaMa's ham and eggs on a brick wall in Texas. I loved the photos and got many inspirations from them. This is a great book for both the experienced and novice gardener. I love how they value pass along plants and those who shared them. Buy this book and enjoy it cover to cover. I did.

My passion for gardening began in 1983 with a book called "Houston Garden Book." Although I do not live in Houston, or even the area, this old book has been great and encouraged my budding passion for gardening for many years. So imagine my surprise to find this wonderful book with as much and more information in it. The pictures alone are worth the price. One of the best differences about this book it that it gives information for gardeners in all of the southern states. I have been so impressed with it that I am giving my Mother in law a copy for her birthday, she shares the same love of gardening. If you enjoy the history of gardening in the south this is your book as well.

At times I was disappointed at what was considered a "beautiful garden"- meaning yards full of recycling bins with flowers growing from them, and beautiful trees stripped of all life, then littered with colored glass bottles. Unfortunately the south is littered with such gardens, but I am more of a fan of a traditional english or french type garden which the book is full of. There are lots of helpful pictures of proper gardens as well as layouts and plant profiles. Overall a beautiful book, apart from the recycling landfill type gardens. Overall a very nice read.

We have scoured through the book several times now. I've been planning on a bottle tree for sometime, but didn't seem to get it all together. One picture in the book caught my attention and I'll pass it along. I had been saving blue wine bottles for some time, and noticed a beautiful arrangement of similiar bottles in a large flower pot. Got to work on it at once, and now have three of these displays for accent pieces outdoors. Really add color. There are many good decorating ideas, and am working on several new projectsright no. Love that blue chair on the cover. Going to do that, too.

I bought heirloom seeds/plants last summer and unfortunately they didn't do well in south-eastern Georgia. We have moved to mid south-west Florida and wanted to ensure that this garden season went better. My husband thoughtfully bought me this awesome book! It is a MUST to any southerner that is gardening with Heirloom plants/seeds!The authors are exemplary and knowledgeable in all aspects. They are wonderful writers. Very easy to understand and follow. Great wealth of information and practical application.

I have had a great time reading this book. The information, the dates, and the history of gardening in the south have been a great resource for me. They mention Flora Ann Bynom as there friend who passed away a few years ago and who was a friend of mine also, along with great photograpy and stories, it is a good read. Keep Growing, Guitar Greg

A fun and informative book for southern gardeners.