Choice
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

This book, whose authors co-own a prominent Oregon nursery, chronicles the saga of how two dedicated, passionate plant lovers converted a farm into a dynamic garden of visual delights. Hard work, knowledge, insight, perseverance, and curiosity entered into the equation, leading to a thriving oasis of horticultural splendor. The book is partly a memoir; it begins with some personal history followed by chapters describing various aspects of the garden, such as the vegetable and fruit section, the shade garden, rockeries, perennial borders, the chaparral, and conifer and heath gardens, and chapters on favorite plants, such as trilliums, arisaemas, and various bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes, finally concluding with maintenance issues and suggestions for care. The engaging text is accompanied by several well curated and wonderfully illustrative photographs. They reveal that innovative combinations of skillfully cultivated, extraordinary plants can truly mirror a living tapestry of vibrant colors and textures. Obviously a labor of love, this garden and its heart-warming story provide humor, inspiration, and guidance to gardeners at all levels. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Leroy G. Kavaljian, California State University, Sacramento

Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Most gardeners dream of seeing their plantings mature over time, but very few work the soil of the same place for 45 years. This is a love story about a couple and their relationship with an acre-and-a-half of land. Long before they began organic farming, Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne, now co-owners of Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, OR, made their living in landscaping. Marietta narrates their story, describing the gardens and the couple's evolving connection to place with wit, kindness, and the authority of their training as biologists. With exceptional plant descriptions that read like character references for old friends, the authors share their trials and tribulations in support of the journey for all gardeners. The book includes comprehensive insight into unique plant combinations, pruning and management tips for known and unfamiliar species. Their landscape tapestry layers plant preferences for soil, water, and light with season, shape, and color. VERDICT For readers undeterred by species-ranked taxonomic identification and a small amount of plant structure vocabulary, beautiful photographs and prose await. Highly recommended.-Nancy Marksbury, Keuka Coll., Keuka Park, NY © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Many home gardeners dream of a sprawling estate where they could enjoy a variety of types of garden spaces, all of which feature a pleasing mix of plants that complement one another and appear to thrive with little effort. The O'Byrnes have achieved this seemingly impossible aspiration over decades spent developing gardens on a 70-acre farm in Eugene, Oregon. They divided their land into a mix of garden environments, including vegetable and fruit, shade, rockery, Alpine trough, perennial, chaparral, conifer, heather, and more. The narrative leads readers through the years'-long development of these gardens, with recommendations and tips throughout. Specific plant varieties are highlighted with large color photographs taken on this estate. Home-garden enthusiasts looking for ideas will enjoy reading about the motivations and philosophies behind the gradual creation of these spaces and will appreciate the lessons learned and the plant-care advice. Short sections highlighting favorite species are interspersed. Includes a chart for metric conversions, a link to hardiness-zone information, a resource list, and a short bibliography of recommended books.--Heidemann, Anne Copyright 2010 Booklist