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SEEDHEADS IN THE GARDEN By Noel Kingsbuty - Published in 2006 by Umber Press Finding garden plants for spring, summer and even fall is easy, but when it comes to winter, mostly every plant book description will merely say, "some winter interest"- until now. Noel Kingsbury's book takes gardening to a new level by focusing on plants that enhance the winter garden. Most of us look at dry, grey or brown seedheads, and we can only think to clear these from our gardens as soon as possible. The author, on the other hand, shows us the beauty and design potential of dead plants. The book is illustrated with Jo Whitworth's stunning photographs of fall/winter gardens. Anyone who looks at these pictures will think again about fall cleanup. The author takes us on a journey of plants from spring seeds, to winter seedheads. He asks us to walk through our garden in late fall and winter to see the structure of seedheads. They are pods, spikes, umbels, globes, panicles, or whorls. Some are tall and wispy, some short. Some are either light or dark, with many colors in between. Some have only single seeds, and others have multitudes.
Light has a great bearing on how we should view these plants in the winter. Low winter sunlight or backlighting, reveals colors that we usually miss, as we rush past what seems to be uninteresting. Seedheads, together with brilliant fall foliage as a backdrop, also provide a rich, colorful display. After observing all seedhead characteristics, we are encouraged to rethink the way we plan and plant our gardens, which is the author's intention. Massing plants based on what we have observed about seedheads will offer us a fourth season of interest.
The book contains a directory of plants we should consider, and these are listed alphabetically. Each plant has one, two or three stars to show which will perform beautifully throughout the winter, which will put on a show for part of the winter, and which will last only through late fall. There is even a small section showing how we might get creative by spray painting seedheads that are left standing upright on sturdy, dead stems. Imagine seeing bright colors poking up through the snow during the winter. We will experience pleasure as we look out of our windows on dreary days, and admire our artistic talents. To take the first step on our journey of rethinking the garden we must leave our plants alone in the fall, and watch them put on their show for us until spring.
Judy Grunwaldt
Book Review Chairman
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