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Saturday, August 04, 2001

When Marc Stoecklein's new book, "The Complete Plant Selection Guide for Landscape Design" (Purdue Press, $54.95), arrived, it looked pretty common beside all the glitzy garden offerings that litter my desk.

A large text with no photographs, it sure wasn't something to inspire heart palpitations. But appearances can be deceiving. While most of those showier books will soon be relegated to the reject pile, this reference will not leave my keeping.

What Stoecklein has done here is provide gardeners and garden professionals alike with lists of plant choices that will make designing landscapes easier and more foolproof than ever before. The local nursery owner has done a masterful job of compiling information that will benefit landscape architects, landscape designers and homeowners.

Stoecklein, who himself is a gifted landscape designer, has organized the book in sections by dividing the plant kingdom into 10 groups: Trees (deciduous and evergreen); shrubs (narrowleaf evergreens, broadleaf evergreens and deciduous); groundcovers; perennials; vines; ferns; and grasses. Within these categories, he has broken down the groups even further, listing them according to light requirements (full sun, filtered sun, shade), soil-moisture requirements, zone hardiness, height and width, flower color, bloom season, and fall foliage color. Under each heading he lists the pros and cons of plants.

For instance, under Acer platanoides and cultivars (Norway maple) he writes:

"Pros: Very adaptable and tough. Ideal for urban areas, parks and large commercial sites. Tolerates pollution well. A good residential tree for areas with large lawn areas.

"Cons: Many times used in the wrong situations; they should be planted away from sidewalks, driveways, etc. Shallow fibrous root system will lift concrete and could damage foundations if planted too close. Avoid planting in beds with other plants, as the root system will overtake the surrounding bed and affect the vigor of other plants. This holds true for most maples.

"If someone else didn't already say this, I will: Certain red-leaved varieties, such as A.P. 'Crimson King,' are often overplanted and misused. They have a very strong visual presence and are difficult to incorporate well into most landscapes."

The beauty of this book is that anyone can use it. You don't need a Ph.D. to figure out what plants will work for you in a specific area. Have a wet area? Look up the list of trees, shrubs, etc., that thrive there. Need a tree that can take full sun or one that can tolerate urban conditions? Look it up.

If you are an avid gardener, you should add this to your library. It should be required reference material in any landscape architecture or design course. Nurseries and garden centers also should have a copy of this valuable reference available for staff and customers alike, if only because it might prompt some of us to think outside the box.

I hope this book will get the recognition it deserves, because it sure is a winner.