Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Provides book reviews, by kids, for kids

.: Inside Scoop Live

Provides live author interviews for podcast

.: Authors Access

Provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Provides post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Provides book reviews and author publicity

.: LR Communication Design

Provides professional website design and development

.: Blogging Authors

Provides a place where writers and readers meet

.: Review The Book

Provides 5 books reviews on 10 different sites

.: Best Sellers World

Provides book reviews and author features

.: Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Provides book reviews and author features

reviews

Bulbs in the Basement, Geraniums on the Windowsill

Alice and Brian McGowan
Storey Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9781603420426
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (12/08)

“Bulbs in the Basement, Geraniums on the Windowsill” by Alice and Brian McGowan provides information on “how to grow and overwinter 165 tender plants.”  After a little bit of history about the authors and their beginnings, the book dives into an explanation as to just what a tender perennial is.  Being new to gardening, I found this explanatory section helpful to establish a foundation of knowledge on the subject.  A tender perennial is “a plant that, though hardy in its original habitat, will not survive the winter outdoors in the climate of the gardener.” (p.14) 

Also in the first section is a discussion about the origins of different perennials and how they come from all over the world.  It makes sense to think about where a plant is originally from in order to determine how it would be best to grow it and keep over the winter.  I find it fascinating that (with the right care) you can have plants originally from different parts of the world growing right in your very own backyard.

The authors state that only growing hardy plants, while it “simplifies gardening activities,” does put a limit on the options available to you and then they go on to present reasons as to why you should try tender perennial gardening.  In order to successfully do this you need to be aware of the variety of ways that you can overwinter your plants.  Different types of plants will do best in certain circumstances.  For instance, citrus plants like areas that are cool with bright light, whereas dahlias prefer areas that are dark and damp.

Although I found the first half of the book to be very interesting and came away with a lot of knowledge about plants, I really enjoyed the second half of the book, which examines the various types of tender perennials available, and includes pictures, design ideas, and information on how to overwinter each of them.  There are so many pretty and different varieties of tenders available that I am truly inspired to give overwintering a try.  “Bulbs in the Basement, Geraniums on the Windowsill” provides so many useful tips and instruction that I am sure I will be referring to it often on my quest to beautifully landscape my yard!   

 

.: Blog
.: Author's website