Fearless Gardening: Be Bold, Break the Rules, and Grow What You Love

The home garden should be improvisational, advises garden blogger Bohl in her norm-busting debut. She highlights the inspiration she’s drawn from two eclectic gardeners, Ruth Bancroft and Ganna Walska, who used an “ ‘I’ll do it my way, thank you’ attitude” in creating “one-of-a-kind private gardens that are now open to the public.” Bohl then sets about debunking the “Gardening Commandments.” The first—“Thou shalt plan the entire garden before you begin planting”—is countered by Bancrofts’s approach of planting in small increments; the second—“Thou shalt not purchase plants on impulse”—is rebuked: “I’m here to tell you it’s okay to buy a plant just because you love it, even if it’s not a long-term match for your garden.” The author shares plenty of tips for creating a garden that is individual and artistic, such as “turning an obstacle into an advantage,” citing as an example how a friend of hers painted a dead tree blue instead of removing it. Would-be gardeners intimidated by the thought of taking the plunge will find plenty of encouragement to go forth with confidence and creativity. (Jan.)