Chicago Botanic Garden

Education — Lenhardt Library

Current Books & Book Reviews

PHOTO: bookcover

Ellen Sousa.
The Green Garden: A New England Guide to Planning, Planting, and Maintaining the Eco-friendly Habitat Garden.
Piermont, N.H.: Bunker Hill Publishing, 2011.
paper, 224 pp., ISBN 978–1–593–73091–8, $34.95.

When perusing these pages, readers can’t help but recall the words of Midwest landscape architect/gardeners Ossian Cole Simonds (1855–1931) and Jens Jensen (1860–1951) who introduced and advocated the use of native plants in the landscape. Ellen Sousa has furthered their thoughts in this manual on the importance of creating and maintaining grounds that support nature. Tthe principles she cites in her narrative are applicable from forests to seasides and from small lots to farmlands. The author provides tips on the control of pesky critters, unwanted plants, and animals. Heavily illustrated with attractive photographs, the book also includes a directory of the best plants for the region and a map of the plant hardiness zones that assist the gardener in creating an eco-friendly habitat.

— Marilyn K. Alaimo, garden writer and volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden.