Durable Plants for the Garden: A Plant Select Guide
Durable Plants for the Garden is a tool for every gardener who wants durable plants for our region's plant growing challenges. --KUNC Radio, February 2009"...the stars are the plants themselves, each of them profiled in a two-page spread with comments on use, propagation, range, origin, needs, and -- gasp -- disadvantages... Me, I just want to fall into the pictures. I'm sort of dismayed that it's so gorgeous, because I know my copy will be well-thumbed and likely coffee-stained in no time. And oh, yeah -- I'll probably get it dirty.  --Digging In Colorado, February 2009"Go to your nearest book store and buy this book now. If you live in the Rocky Mountains, you will have your map for this season's gardening. If you live elsewhere, buy it anyway. You will gain a deep appreciation of the beauty and adaptability of a small slice of our plant world."  -- The Bloomsbury Review, March 2009"This oversized, lavishly illustrated volume aimed at Rocky Mountain-region gardeners is lovely enough for coffee table display, but is more likely to end up well-thumbed and dirt-stained.  The 74 varieties of shrubs, grasses, and flowers profiled in Durable Plants for the Garden are introductions of the Plant Select program.  This collaborative effort of Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University, and regional landscape and nursery professionals aims to introduce plants adapted to our area's challenging climates and soils.  Many are native to the Rockies and High Plains, others have proved themselves "durable" here.  The heart of this beautifully designed book is arranged in four sections: Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines; Perennials; Perennial Groundcovers; and Annuals.  Within these, each plant is profiled on a full two-page spread including close-up and garden photos and botanical illustrations, and narrative sections detailing why each was chosen for Plant Select, plus descriptions, habits, and advantages and disadvantages.  Unlike the telegraphic text in many garden guides, these brief stories of botanical exploration and plant lives make compelling reading.  The final section of the book is a series of tables summarizing the characteristics of each variety.  My only complaint: the book's title.  The plants described are far more than merely durable."  --Zone 4, May 2009"...the stars are the plants themselves, each of them profiled in a two-page spread with comments on use, propagation, range, origin, needs, and -- gasp -- disadvantages... Me, I just want to fall into the pictures. I'm sort of dismayed that it's so gorgeous, because I know my copy will be well-thumbed and likely coffee-stained in no time. And oh, yeah -- I'll probably get it dirty --Digging In Colorado, February 2009"Go to your nearest book store and buy this book now. If you live in the Rocky Mountains, you will have your map for this season's gardening. If you live elsewhere, buy it anyway. You will gain a deep appreciation of the beauty and adaptability of a small slice of our plant world." --The Bloomsbury Review, March 2009"This oversized, lavishly illustrated volume aimed at Rocky Mountain-region gardeners is lovely enough for coffee table display, but is more likely to end up well-thumbed and dirt-stained. The 74 varieties of shrubs, grasses, and flowers profiled in Durable Plants for the Garden are introductions of the Plant Select program. This collaborative effort of Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University, and regional landscape and nursery professionals aims to introduce plants adapted to our area's challenging climates and soils. Many are native to the Rockies and High Plains, others have proved themselves "durable" here. The heart of this beautifully designed book is arranged in four sections: Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines; Perennials; Perennial Groundcovers; and Annuals. Within these, each plant is profiled on a full two-page spread including close-up and garden photos and botanical illustrations, and narrative sections detailing why each was chosen for Plant Select, plus descriptions, habits, and advantages and disadvantages. Unlike the telegraphic text in many garden guides, these brief stories of botanical exploration and plant lives make compelling reading. The final section of the book is a series of tables summarizing the characteristics of each variety. My only complaint: the book's title. The plants described are far more than merely durable." - --Zone 4, May 2009A "documentary publication featuring the first seventy-four plants promoted by Plant Select" since the program began introducing plants in 1997. A collaborative effort between Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University, and green industry partners, this program focuses on promoting exceptional plants for the High Plains and intermountain region. Anyone who gardens in this area of the country will appreciate having at their fingertips this list of tough but beautiful plants that will thrive despite low rainfall, alkaline soils, strong winds, little winter snow cover, and other challenges that often make short work of lesser plants. Each entry includes brief notes about why it makes the cut, its characteristics and landscape uses, preferred cultural conditions, native range, and a list of its best features- all accompanied by color photographs and illustrations. --The American Gardener Magazine (July 2009) of Alexandria, VA "Gardener's Books: Regional Gardening Books"Candid assessments of each plant and practical information about propagation make it an interesting ready for those looking for unusual additions to their garden. --Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune