Gardening

There is never a dull moment in the Intermountain West. One day is sunny and bright and the next it is snowing—at any season of the year. Gardening in such a land of exremes is different; but it doesn't hve to be difficult. Based on twenty years of experience transforming an ordinary suburban yard into a diverse and colorful garden, and a career designing residential and commercial landscapes, author Marcia Tatroe helps veterans and newcomers alike make sense of this region's unique conditions and the opportunities they present. With a wealth of sage advice and insights, Tatroe addresses both the art and the practicalities of creating a garden that is every bit as magical as the Intermountain West's natural splendor. Lavish photos by acclaimed photographer Charles Mann showcase many of the finest regional gardens and scores of adapted plants that not only survive, but also thrive, in places where winters are cold, summers are hot, and water is in short supply.

The plants that one encounters in gardens and nurseries in the Front Range area of Colorado, and elsewhere in our region, are utterly different from what one would have encountered 50 years ago. A large proportion of the native and adapted plants utilized nowadays in American gardens debuted on the grounds of Denver Botanic Gardens. Many of these plants simply are not found in common reference books or even on the Internet. The purpose of this book is to inform readers about 50 special plants selected from the wealth of garden plants introduced over the history of Denver Botanic Gardens, as well as how to use these plants in the home garden. Each plant description is accompanied by beautiful color photographs and hand-painted renderings from the gifted artists of DBG’s Botanical art program.

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Click here for the Denver 9News review of Flourish

"I never thought reading about gardening could be so much fun! Rob's taught me how to have a Picasso garden for the price of a poster."—Cheryl Preheim, Anchor, KUSA-TV, Denver

"Proctor's poetic writing and passion for gardening ensure this will be a book treasured by everyone from novice to expert gardener. He's the pro to turn to with any gardening question. If you're tired of leafing through encyclopedic garden books, curl up with this one. Proctor's sharp, humorous prose will entertain and enlighten."—Maria Cote, Lifestyles Editor, Rocky Mountain News

This book is for anyone who has more energy than dollars and wants to create a beautiful garden. Best-selling garden author and designer, Rob Proctor, has created pricey gardens for clients while pinching pennies in his own, and you’d never be able to tell the difference. His tips on how to save money are innovative and guaranteed to give you the garden you’ve always wanted. Now you can cultivate a gorgeous garden that only looks expensive.

To the millions of people who visit the Rocky Mountain region each and every year, Meet the Natives has long aided in the identification of the diverse and appealing plant life found in its many ecosystems. In order to meet the great demand for an up-todate and comprehensive book, this classic guide has been revised and updated. This edition is the first to feature full color photography. Over 400 plants are identified.

Ornamental grasses are among the most popular elements of contemporary gardens. They are also water-wise additions for the western garden. Indefatigable gardener Marilyn Raff offers a wide range of decorative grasses for gardeners in the West.

“When it comes to knowing her plants and their habits, Raff ’s a consummate professional.” —Colorado Libraries