The Sea and Me

When you're getting ready to depart the heat and humidity of DC (said to be the closest equivalent of New Delhi in the summer) and head to the coast for the summer, you suddenly realize once again that it takes special talent to design a garden that can withstand salt air, wind, and very sandy soil.  Seascape Gardening (Storey Publishing) by Anne Halpin, with simply gorgeous photos by Roger Foley, is much more than just a guide to the how-to's of ocean-scape gardens.

It's an inspirational look at seaside gardens from New England to the Carolinas.  It includes a garden inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright on Kiawah Island, SC, and designed by Clyde Timmons of DesignWorks in Charleston. Clean lines and trailing plants abound and architectural features of the house are pulled out into the landscape.  A narrow lot in Edgartown, MA, designed by Robbie Hutchison of Donaroma's Nursery is elegant and colorful and captures the vision and spirit of the owner. On Long Island, Edwina von Gal uses a spare and simple plan with ornamental grasses and native perennials to evoke the natural landscape. Captivating designs by landscape architects Mario Nievera of Palm Beach and James van Sweden of Washington DC illustrate that nothing more is required for stunning seaside gardens than a great imagination and a solid knowledge of plants.

This book includes a section on top seaside plants and a discussion of ways to deal with sometimes challenging coastal conditions.

(click on image to purchase book)