Bird Gardens

Rating:
Summary: Gardens take flight
Review: BH & G's newest gardening publication is a combination of the usual bird-gardening book array of garden styles, ideas, and bird and plant lists but it is also stuffed with inspirational photos, how-to projects, and a plethora of quick tips accompanying nearly every photo in the book. The book's loose flow seems created for browsing, and each time it is opened a new tidbit is found. Especially nice is the emphasis on being a little messy in the garden. Attracting birds means letting things to go to seed, including allowing lettuce to bolt, not hard pruning shrubs in the spring to allow for nesting, and letting some of those dropped branches stay put. It's so nice to see these ever so slightly sloppy gardens that are still aesthetically pleasing.
Plant descriptions detail the plant's worth in the bird garden and list what birds will use them for - fruits, shelter, nesting, etc. Descriptions also include common and botanical names, general cultivation information and full color photos. Bird descriptions include information on habits, habitats, preferred foods, nest types, and common and Latin names along with full color photos and range maps.
BH & G books have come a long way in recent years taking steps to marry inspirational photos with sound gardening practices; Bird Gardens is no exception.