I always wonder if the reason palms are so admired is because they evoke dreamy tropical locations: it’s the idea that if you plant them, warm breezes will come. In reality palm trees are not magical weather makers, but they do elicit a powerful suggestion that a white sandy beach could be close by.
Palms are the ultimate statement-making plants to enhance outdoor spaces in warm climates, and Designing with Palms dives deep into this important species. Our guide through this essential reference book is palm expert Jason Dewees, a staff horticulturist at Flora Grubb Gardens and East West Trees in California (plus, he is on advisory committees for the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers and the San Francisco Botanical Garden).
Please keep reading to learn more about these stately plants:
Photography by Caitlin Atkinson courtesy of Timber Press.
Together author Dewees and photographer Atkinson break through the typical tropical stereotypes to broaden palms’ restricted reputation. Traditionally palms only happily thrive in temperate climates, but this new book shows numerous and surprisingly diverse landscape options, opening our idea of how to incorporate palms into our gardens.
The author Jason walks us through the critical criteria for different palms, including pruning, nutrition, and transplanting. We learn about climate, parts of the palm, and ruling out palm imposters. When used properly in a garden design, with knowledge and skill, palms do a stellar job and can immediately transform a garden.
Through the book we travel and get closer to exotic, oasis-feeling gardens. We also get a tour of the places where palms are iconic symbols, including South Florida, Palm Springs, and Southern California. American urban, rural, and suburban gardens are also represented, illustrating the wide range of the species.
The last section of Designing With Palms is a portfolio of palm species. Alphabetically we learn about different varieties, from rare and not attainable to others available at local nurseries.
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