GARDENING BOOKS:
The Greenest Gifts of All

Can’t make up your mind on what to get the gardener on your holiday gift list? Stop worrying, Ball publishing has the answer. The three books in this year’s gardening round up can be given separately or as a gift set. If you purchase the set from Ball, you save $14.85. The set is specially priced at $60 through Ball. The direct link is www.ballbookshlef.com/detail.aspx?=717. Give one or give them all, and rest assured even the most seasoned gardener will enjoy these well-written books.
 
Wonders of the Winter Landscape
Vincent A. Simeone
Photos by Bruce Curtis
Ball, $24.95
This book is a must when planning your winter garden. Rich-toned bark and brilliant berries, wonderful evergreens weighed down with snow, these are a few of the beautiful images from “Wonders of the Winter Landscape.” Vincent A. Simeone instructs us that “Creating a garden that is interesting in the winter takes great enthusiasm, patience and vision.” One chapter highlights the magical bark and boughs that many trees have, bringing beauty to the garden long after the leaves are gone. There are chapters on winter flowers, winterberries, evergreens and conifers, all with great illustrations to inspire even the most skeptical of gardeners. Simeone has also inserted famous quotes throughout, moving the book from the ordinary to the inspirational.

Great Flowering Landscape Shrubs
Vincent A. Simeone
Photos by Bruce Curtis
Ball, $24.95
Like all of his books, the best aspect of this book is its ease of readability. Whether looking for advice on a shrub that everyone has and you just have to have it, or searching for the newest of introductions, you will be amazed to find how much is packed between these pages. This book is a labor of love by a gardener who shares freely and factually the best of the proven and the must haves of the new. This book is a fresh look at the saturated area of flowering shrubs.

Great Flowering Landscape Trees
Vincent A. Simeone
Photos by Bruce Curtis
Ball, $24.95
This is the third title Ball publishing has from Vincent Simeone, who has simply and tastefully compiled some of the most endearing flowering trees used in landscaping today. The well-organized book gives the readers full planting and growing information on deciduous flowering trees. The photographs are well done, showing the trees at their best. Water, light and zone requirements are discussed, along with any insect or disease considerations. Appendices cover the author’s 15 favorite flowering trees, the best public gardens and some good mail-order nurseries.