New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change Kindle Edition

I first borrowed this book from the library to learn about shade, of which I had very little knowledge or inspiration, and I needed both badly. The text of this book, along with numerous pictures, clearly shaped for me a much better understanding of shade, and more importantly an excitement about shade. The trend today is to put some insufficient text about garden design, etc., and then the remaining large majority of a book becomes nothing but a plant listing, which is certainly often helpful. Druse's book clearly exceeds other books on shade I have (including the higher rated book by Carey) in that his plant lists occur in appropriate parts of the highly informative passages on shade, so while I am learning all these amazing things he's writing about I can also see a large number of appropriate plants. His explanations and writing really changed how I viewed shade, and I am now so excited about the shady areas of my yard. Before, shade was just that place where "real" plants couldn't live, so you threw a bunch of hosta down. Now shade is full of layers, and texture, and more colors than I imagined. Druse turned shade into a place I wanted to be, and was excited to have. I continued to keep this book from the library so long it was clear I needed my own copy. Druse's book on shade is much more comprehensive than others I have, and has been more educational and inspiring. It is my go-to book.

So I have a confession, I am a #fanboy of Ken Druse (the author), and for good reason. In all of his books that I have read, I haven’t seen him trying to shamelessly impress you with his years of knowledge or his awards. Instead he’s more humble with his words. He writes in a way that is informative, without being condescending. His books (and there are many) are all about sustainable best-practices for growing more plants. This book, The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change, is no different. Ken explains the importance of shade in the context of a world that’s only going to get warmer. Which seems hippy-dippy, but in reality Ken’s practical advice is actually a more cost effective way to work with nature instead of thinking that you can outfight or out think her. I really enjoyed the way he teaches the reader to work within the constraints of nature, but also how to place plants aesthetically. All of this is in an attempt to use natural acts in order to let Nature grow the best plants. I’ve actually re-read this book three times, and each time I find some new tidbit. But much of this book is just pure visual candy, which usually results in me doing a lot of internet plant shopping. In the same way kids like to add additional items to the grocery cart, I add too many plants to my shopping. Ken shows us plants used in shade gardens, and informs us about the consequences of adding ill advised plants (which are unfortunately what I gravitate to. This book breaks down the practical sides of planting a woodland garden into easy to understand concepts. Yet the author also has a nice way of including sub-sections (like they do in school books) about a specific but related subject. For example: making your own concrete planters, ferns as a ground cover, shade growing vines, or my favorite, a section on propagating Arisaema seeds using a toilet tank and lots of flushing. If you don’t have this book in your collection, why even have a garden? This book is an absolute must have gardening reference!***A note to my southern/midwestern growers, the plants suggested in this book are based on the author’s anecdotal experience in New England. Which means that many of the plants suggested in this book for shade gardens wont work in our notoriously difficult climate and soils. But from my cross references, I found some comparable members that will work in our yards, in many of the same plant-families that Ken mentions in this book. So just keep this in mind while you get lost in the seductive images of this book.

After checking this book out 3 times, I bought it! Its worth every single penny if you have a shady landscape. It makesYou want a shade garden. This book is a dream filled with so many ideas. You’ll certainly want to get outside in the soil.

Just wonderful! Ken Druse obviously knows his subject and provides some of the most helpful and genuinely intelligent advise for every shade gardener, from beginner to pro. Inspiring and achievable instead of 'fantasy gardening'. Thank-you, Mr. Druse!

I recently saw this book at my library & loved the way the author wrote about gardening. Very informative guide to a shade garden & gardening ideas. Beautiful photographs so I had to have this and three other books by the same author!

It makes a good case for shade gardens as a way to adapt to temperature increases now and in the years to come. Also the emphasis on planting trees especially in urban environments. Overall a good book for planting in the shade but it left me wanting more input regarding climate change adaptation strategies.

Helpful, well-written and designed shade garden book. Written by a gardener, for gardeners. I'm delighted that this book is in my library and available for my perusal as needed. (some of the pages now have dirt smudges from my use!)

I have all of Ken Druse's gardening books and this one doesn't disappoint. Beautiful photos, relevant advice, and lots of suggestions for growing wonderful things in the shade.

For those of us not blessed with sunny gardens, this book is excellent. I am not familiar with the author but I gather he is well-thought of among gardening writers. The book defines more than one type of "shade" and has detailed suggestions of what to grow in each one. He also recognizes that the climate is changing and makes recommendations on how to address this in your garden. The photos are lovely and inspirational. It's a little too oriented to the US east coast (and I'm in the Pacific northwest) but that's a quibble: most of the recommendations in the book would apply to shade gardens everywhere.

Good book... not always clear regarding zones

Very well written and illustrated. If you have a part of your garden that is shaded or it will in the future then this is obligated reading :).It will bring inspiration and color.

Really great and useful book, very well written and illustrated. Something new in the shade approach to gardens. I really appreciated it.

It was a gift. She loves it