Rating: 
Summary: Very motivating, with wonderful photos
Review: Druse's photographs alone would justify the purchase of this book. It's a feast for the eyes, and inspired me to aim for something truly artistic as I begin designing my own shade garden. For those of us who have both shade and a woodland setting, there is a useful chapter specific to woodland gardening, although it doesn't substitute for a full book on the topic. Occasionally it was difficult to determine which plant was which in a photo showing many plants, although Druse makes a huge effort to label all photos in detail. It was also a bit daunting to extract the key information from each chapter, as the text tends to present long discussions of numerous plants in succession. Taking notes is imperative. While the book is necessarily written for readers across the nation, and perhaps has a slight bias towards the northeast or wet climates, I was able to take plants I liked and cross-reference them in more detail with the Western Garden Book, thus locating more appropriate varieties for California.
Rating:
Summary: Very motivating, with wonderful photos
Review: Druse's photographs alone would justify the purchase of this book. It's a feast for the eyes, and inspired me to aim for something truly artistic as I begin designing my own shade garden. For those of us who have both shade and a woodland setting, there is a useful chapter specific to woodland gardening, although it doesn't substitute for a full book on the topic. Occasionally it was difficult to determine which plant was which in a photo showing many plants, although Druse makes a huge effort to label all photos in detail. It was also a bit daunting to extract the key information from each chapter, as the text tends to present long discussions of numerous plants in succession. Taking notes is imperative. While the book is necessarily written for readers across the nation, and perhaps has a slight bias towards the northeast or wet climates, I was able to take plants I liked and cross-reference them in more detail with the Western Garden Book, thus locating more appropriate varieties for California.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly helpful to every level of shade gardener
Review: Extremely thorough in its content, it is intelligent and offers a generous number of spectacular photographs. All areas of natural shade gardening well-covered, from top to bottom, literally. Druse gives excellent information about all the best plants for shade, as well as the ones you wouldn't think were shade tolerant. You won't be sorry with this beauty... get it!
Rating:
Summary: Informative and thought inspiring
Review: For those of us challenged with gardening in the shade, Ken Druse gives not only detailed information on how to make your garden flourish, but also offers wonderful pictures of actual plantings. From small city gardens between buildings, to forest and woodland settings, he inspired me to expand my plant selections with some of the varieties he suggested/pointed out that would not only flourish in a shaded setting, but also naturalize the area. An outstanding book!
Rating:
Summary: Inspirations and Answers
Review: I bought this book 1.because everything Ken Druse writes is top-notch, and 2. because my yard is -and is becoming more- shady. What a cornucopia of ideas, wisdom, helpful hints and fabulously beautiful and inspiring photos. It has become a much used reference in my library, as well as just being so delightful to look through. As a Master Gardener and garden writer in a metropolitan area I get lots of questions about what can be grown in shade and half-shade areas; this book never lets me down for ideas, and I feel comfortable recommending it to both beginner and long time gardeners. The only thing I wish it was heavier on is native plants.
Rating: 
Summary: It's okay, but not for beginners
Review: I got this book based on the very high ratings posted here. I think the book is OK, but very difficult to read (lots of boring lists of plant variants, for example), and targeted to a much more sophisticated gardener than I am. I like Druse's philosophy tremendously, but need a few more years of gardening under my belt before I can really make use of much of what he says.The photography is beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: The Natural Shade Garden is my bible.
Review: I read and re-read this book constantly. It not only helped me make my garden beautiful, but I dream over the pictures all winter and my garden is alive while everything outdoors is sleeping. This is my favorite book of all time.
Rating:
Summary: It's OK
Review: I'm not as big on this book as the other reviewers. The photography is beautiful, and I certainly appreciate Druse's gardening philosophy. However I found the text tedious to read (lots of long lists of plant latin names, for example). I found myself skipping huge chunks of the text. And the attitude is a bit "snobby." It's also not for beginners (which I am).
Rating:
Summary: inspiring and practical
Review: If you have a shady garden space, this book will make you feel like the luckiest gardener in the world. Ken Druse structured the book around the organization of natural woodland plants: understory, middle layer, and overstory. (Note that this is not the right book for you if you are looking to create a formal shady garden.) The beautiful photographs, both closeup and scenic, and the detailed yet readable text make this book a success on two fronts. There is enough practical advice to take you from designing your shade garden to keeping it healthy and beautiful through the seasons and years. There is even a resource list to help with ordering your plants. Did I mention how amazing the photographs are? This is my favorite garden book so far, and I am accumulating quite a little collection. Partial shade, dappled shade, and deep shade are all addressed with beautiful pictures of plants and gardens and with descriptive, practical text.
Rating:
Summary: inspiring and practical
Review: If you have a shady garden space, this book will make you feel like the luckiest gardener in the world. Ken Druse structured the book around the organization of natural woodland plants: understory, middle layer, and overstory. (Note that this is not the right book for you if you are looking to create a formal shady garden.) The beautiful photographs, both closeup and scenic, and the detailed yet readable text make this book a success on two fronts. There is enough practical advice to take you from designing your shade garden to keeping it healthy and beautiful through the seasons and years. There is even a resource list to help with ordering your plants. Did I mention how amazing the photographs are? This is my favorite garden book so far, and I am accumulating quite a little collection. Partial shade, dappled shade, and deep shade are all addressed with beautiful pictures of plants and gardens and with descriptive, practical text.
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