Lawns & Ground Cover

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The second in a series of National Trust Gardening Guides, Lacey's ( The Startling Jungle ) is chock-full of plant and design ideas. It's also replete with photos of gardens in the care of the National Trust, all to the good since the text refers frequently to British gardens, not of easy access to American readers. British as the book is, it has something to tell us. A chapter on paved areas and walks includes information on layout and materials, and basic how-to directions. Lawns are treated as design features, not simply as green swaths of sod, although Lacey does broach seedbed preparation and maintenance; he also puts in a few words, bound to be appreciated by weekend gardeners, in praise of less-than-perfect lawns. The bulk of the book, however, is devoted to ground covers--a term used to encompass ``any plant which is strong . . . self-reliant . . . and grows thickly.'' And Lacey lists scores of plants suitable for sunny and shady spots, slopes and boggy sites. He also discusses the use of wildflowers for informal, labor-saving gardening. Throughout, he provides cultural and design information, along with a list of ground coversstet, or plural? and natural plants for a wide variety of situations. Photos. Garden Book Club selection. (Sept.)