High and Dry

Gardeners in harsh, semi-arid climates of scorching summers and brutally cold winters face a daunting challenge. These climatic extremes rule out many standard garden plants that thrive in areas with greater rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Yet there is a wide variety of plants that are not only beautiful but also provide highly satisfactory choices. In this comprehensive volume, Robert Nold describes the best picks among perennials and annuals; grasses; bulbs; rock garden plants; cacti; yuccas and other similar plants; shrubs; and trees — more than 1000 plants in all. Leavened with humour and rueful wisdom, Nold's pithy descriptions zero in on each plant's outstanding ornamental characteristics while giving the reader an accurate idea of what to expect from the plant's performance in the garden. With very few exceptions, the recommended plants can be expected to thrive without supplemental irrigation once established, and tolerate winter temperatures as low as −23°C. Throughout, the book is illustrated with vivid colour photographs and a selection of exquisite botanical watercolours by artist Cindy Nelson-Nold. Anyone with an interest in hardy, drought-tolerant plants will find in these pages an abundance of tempting possibilities with which to experiment. Indeed, High and Dry can serve as a highly useful tool for resource conscious gardeners everywhere.