From Booklist
Global warming, drought conditions, water rationing. With the environment in such a precarious state, what's a gardener to do? No need to throw in the trowel. Succulents can provide the perfect solution to some of garden design's most daunting challenges. From that veritable no-plant's land of dry, barren ground between sidewalk and foundation to lofty rooftop patios miles away from a convenient water source, there's sure to be a succulent suitable for nearly any garden environment. In this introductory guide to more than 60 genera and hundreds of species and cultivars, Cave showcases succulents' diverse forms, dramatic colors, and desirable characteristics. Starting with an overview of cultural requirements, propagation basics, and pest and disease controls, Cave goes on to profile the most popular succulents from adenia to yucca. Aimed at both the beginning gardener and the connoisseur, Cave's straightforward text is augmented by more than 350 striking color photographs that vividly depict the versatility of this often overlooked and underutilized plant category. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Lisa Van Cleef, San Francisco Chronicle, January 15, 2003
Detailed, easy-to-follow cultivation information. . . . This book is a winner, and it's fun to thumb through.


Book Description
Succulents, with their striking forms, unusual colors, and easy-care reputation, are becoming an increasingly important design element in many contemporary gardens. Whether planted en masse, as specimens in the garden, or featured in containers, they have much to offer landscapers and home gardeners. Until recently, the range of succulents available commercially was relatively limited, but nurseries and garden centers are responding to the demand, and more and more species and cultivars are now available. Succulents for Contemporary Gardens is a book for beginners, enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, presenting old favorites along with an enticing range of less-common, more collectable examples of these intriguing plants. Descriptions and cultivation information are given for hundreds of species and cultivars in more than 60 genera---from Adenia to Yucca---helping gardeners to choose plants best suited to their design requirements and garden conditions. Illustrated throughout with 350 color photographs, this book will inspire gardeners and succulent connoisseurs to seek out more of these wonderful plants.


About the Author
Yvonne Cave is one of New Zealand's foremost garden photographers. She is the author of The Succulent Garden, and her superb photos have illustrated a number of major gardening books, including Irises: A Practical Gardening Guide and The Gardener's Encyclopedia of New Zealand Native Plants.


Excerpted from Succulents for the Contemporary Garden by Yvonne Cave. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Are there really connoisseurs of simple plants like succulents? The answer is yes, there are many connoisseurs of succulents. Succulents are now extremely popular and there are so many available that selection is necessary. Their attributes need to be considered and the best-suited species chosen, taking into account location and climate, and other requirements including style of growth, light factors and moisture. Our connoisseur has probably had experience in growing these plants, developed an interest in certain types of succulents and can discriminate between species. Careful selection for artistic value, the aesthetic appearance, that aristocratic style apart from the strength and health of the plant all help to create final satisfaction for the avid collector and gardener. The connoisseur uses their judgement to determine the choice of plants, reviews them from time to time and assesses their value within the collection or garden. Sometimes judicious pruning or even elimination of some species might be undertaken to observe quality and quantity, and this critical decision-making can take determination.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Succulents, with their striking forms, unusual colors, and easy-care reputation, are becoming an increasingly important design element in many contemporary gardens. Whether planted en masse, used as specimens in the garden, or featured in containers, they have much to offer landscapers and home gardeners. Succulents for the Contemporary Garden is a book for beginners, enthusiasts, and connoisseurs alike, presenting old favorites along with an enticing range of less-common, more collectable examples of these intriguing plants. Descriptions and cultivation information for hundreds of species and cultivars in more than 60 genera, from Adenia to Yucca, will help gardeners choose plants that are best suited to their design requirements and garden conditions.

SYNOPSIS