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The Self-Sustaining Garden: The Guide to Matrix Planting

Name: The Self-Sustaining Garden: The Guide to Matrix Planting
Author: Peter Thompson
ISBN: 9780881928372

by Peter Thompson, Josie Owen

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Overview

This book explores the theme that plants themselves can do much of the hard work gardeners believe is an essential part of gardening. The Self-Sustaining Garden advocates using plants as partners in self-sustaining communities to create low-maintenance gardens rather than being a slave to spades and hoes. The term "matrix" refers to the integration of roots, stems, foliage, and flowers, which provides protection for the plants in the community by resisting invasion by outsiders, or weeds. On a larger scale, the matrix consists of a variety of plants ranging in three dimensions, from a canopy of tall trees through climbing plants and shrubs, to perennials, bulbs, ferns, and mosses. The guiding principles of matrix planting are, firstly, choosing plants that are suited to the conditions in the garden and, secondly, combining these with other plants with the same requirements.
In a series of compelling case studies, Peter Thompson shows how to transform a conventional garden into a self-sustaining garden. Focusing on "grassy themes," pools and damp areas, and mixed plantings, he presents a clear evaluation and plan of action for each example. His lists of plants include valuable detail on special requirements and appropriate association.

The Self-Sustaining Garden brings together an explanation of the universal principles of matrix planting with specific applications and informative chapters on soil health and biological controls, and shows how to pull all the ingredients together into a strong, self-sustaining design.

Synopsis

Exploring the theme that the plants themselves can do much of the hard work of gardening, The Self-Sustaining Garden combines an explanation of the universal principles of matrix planting with case studies and chapters on soil health and biological controls, and shows how to pull all the ingredients together into a strong, self-sustaining design.

About the Author, Peter Thompson

Dr. Peter Thompson is a distinguished plantsman, with a background in plant physiology. He has founded a gardening school in Shropshire, England, owned and run Oldfield Nurseries, and headed the Physiology section at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he established a Seed Bank for useful, threatened, or otherwise important species and populations of wild plants. He lives in the UK.