Planting the Dry Shade Garden: The Best Plants for the Toughest Spot in Your Garden

Award-winning author Rice has written more than 20 books that speak to gardeners on both sides of the Atlantic. He tackles the garden's heart of darkness: dry shade, the space under trees or overhangs where plants go to die from lack of light and water. This man has ideas to change that; his experience includes training at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, which has plenty of trees casting shade. He goes into detail that helps gardeners better understand the situation and possible solutions: not all shade is the same; some mulches are better than others. The heart of the book profiles more than 130 plants that are made in the shade. Little is written on this common and trying garden condition, as his reading list indicates, so Rice fills a need. Owners of shaded gardens, rejoice. Includes 125 color photos. (Aug.)