I've never imagined a garden book that celebrates cultural diversity, but this new title by designer and author Leslie Bennett (owner of Pine House Edible Gardens), honors a variety of cultures and demonstrates how to include heritage, history, and current lifestyle into gardens of every size and shape.
In Garden Wonderland (Ten Speed Press, 2024), Bennett profiles 19 California "wonderland" gardens of various types: edible wonderlands, floral wonderlands, healing wonderlands, gathering wonderlands, and cultural wonderlands. Each garden profile tells you a bit about the owners, their vision for the garden, and how they accomplished their goals. I love the "takeaway" Bennett writes at the conclusion of. each, ie, "How to Make a Useful Hillside Planting ... Use Flowers That Bridge Sun and Shade ... Create A Perimeter Loop, Make the Most of a Compact Space," And much more.
Photos throughout the book beautifully and brilliantly illustrate major concepts in the book.
Although the gardens and plants are in California, the lessons in this book can be applied in any part of the country. As Bennett says in the Introduction, "...our gardens can be where we find more connected, inspired, and grounded versions of ourselves. In my own backyard, I'm surrounded by plants that show off my favorite colors, scents, and flavors and that connect to my childhood memories and heritage." It's what we should all wish for in our own garden creations, and this book will show you how to realize those dreams.
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