For gardeners, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.
Perennial enthusiasts around the world might be surprised to find their
muse in the middle of a bustling city. Lurie Garden, a nearly three-acre
botanic garden in the center of Chicago's lakefront in Millennium Park,
is a veritable living lab of prairie perennials, with a rich array of
plant life that both fascinates and educates as it grows, flowers, and
dies back throughout the year. Thousands of visitors pass through each
year, and many leave wondering how they might bring some of the magic of
Lurie to their own home gardens.
With Gardening with Perennials horticulturalist and garden writer Noel
Kingsbury brings a global perspective to the Lurie oasis through a
wonderful introduction to the world of perennial gardening. He shows how
perennials have much to offer home gardeners, from
sustainability--perennials require less water than their annual
counterparts--to continuity, as perennials' longevity makes them a
dependable staple.
Kingsbury also explains why Lurie is a perfect case study for gardeners
of all locales. The plants represented in this urban oasis were chosen
specifically for reliability and longevity. The majority will thrive on
a wide range of soils and across a wide climatic range. These plants
also can thrive with minimal irrigation, and without fertilizers or
chemical control of pests and diseases. Including a special emphasis on
plants that flourish in sun, and featuring many species native to the
Midwest region, Gardening with Perennials will inspire gardeners
around the world to try Chicago-style sustainable gardening.
