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Miniature hostas are perfect plants for miniature gardens. |
For more than ten years, in another life, I was a school librarian which explains my obsession with books. As you know, my main obsession is gardening, consequently my personal library of garden books 'grows like Topsy.' My latest three acquisitions have taken me on a journey into the fascinating world of miniature gardening which, as I discussed in my last posting, interests me enormously. Here are brief reviews of my three new books:
Gardening in Miniature: Create Your Own Tiny Living World by Janet Calvo is a complete guide to creating perfect small-scale gardens. Calvo clearly explains the various scales that can be used -- and for a math-challenged person (me) this is valuable information. She reveals the secrets of designing in miniature. Calvo suggests suitable plants and miniature garden accessories. She discusses maintenance of your mini garden. The book is illustrated with a profusion of beautiful photographs.
Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden by Julie Bawden-Davis and Beverly Turner is similarly informative and also has gorgeous photographs. The authors discuss the importance of developing a theme and telling a story with your creation. They stress the importance of focal points. They give suggestions for containers as well as for miniature plants. At the end of the book they provide a useful list of accessory and plant resources.
Fairy Gardens: A Guide to Growing an Enchanted Miniature World by Betty Earl relates fairy lore and folklore and introduces plants associated with fairies. Earl discusses fairy houses and fairy doors (I would like a door at the foot of my old pear tree.) She begins each chapter with a quotation, my favorite, by Neil Gaiman, says -- "This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it, human and otherwise, are imaginary, excepting only certain of the fairy fok, whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof."
I learned so much from each of the three books and I am enjoying planning my new creations! Look for 'Part 3' in the springtime.
I am linking my book reviews to Holley at Roses and Other Gardening Joys. Thank you, Holley, for hosting this meme.
Thank you to all my friends in the world of garden blogging for your prayers and kind wishes during my recent illness. I am happy to tell you that your healing thoughts are doing the trick and I am well on the road to recovery.
Thanks again,
Pamela x
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The corn was harvested Oct. 25. The end of the gardening season means time to plan the next. |
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