Southern Living Essential Garden Guide
Southern Living • SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Defining Southern Style
Design Basics Opener • ALL GREAT GARDENS BEGIN WITH A DREAM. HERE’S HOW TO COMBINE PLANTS AND STRUCTURES TO CREATE THE HARMONIOUS OUTDOOR ESCAPE YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED.
Good Bones Make Great Gardens • It doesn’t matter whether you have a big yard or a small one, a little money or a bundle, or if you’re working on your first garden or your twelfth. As the following examples demonstrate, focusing on a few key elements can make the difference between a garden you love and one you won’t show the neighbors.
Design Checklist • As you plan your garden, answer some basic questions:
Designing With Plants • Flowers and foliage bring a garden to life. Here's how to thoughtfully include plantings in your yard.
Favorite Flowers Opener • TURN UP THE COLOR AND TEXTURE IN YOUR GARDEN WITH BLOSSOMS THAT THRIVE IN THE SOUTHERN HEAT, THE BELOVED SHADE, AND EVERY PLACE IN BETWEEN.
Sun Lovers • Go for gold in your garden with plants that thrive in the heat and bask in at least six hours of sunlight a day.
Shade Picks • Light up shade with these blooms. Partial-shade plants do well in morning sun and afternoon shade; full-shade ones should get less than two hours of direct sun.
Perfume Your Garden • Call on these scented favorites to spice up your outdoor experience and add sweet smells to your yard.
Vines to Try • Flowering vines are great for adding interest and color on posts, fences, arbors, or anywhere up high.
Roses for the South • Southerners love roses for their fragrance and ability to accentuate garden styles from cottage to traditional. The key is to select types that thrive in your climate.
How To Grow Roses • Plant these pretty garden hallmarks without a lot of work using these tips.
Flowers Know-How Tips • PUT ON A MEMORABLE SHOW IN YOUR GARDEN WITH BLOOMS AND FOLIAGE THAT LAST ALL SEASON LONG.
Create Stunning Containers Opener • CONTAINER GARDENS ARE A QUICK COLOR PICK-ME-UP WHEREVER YOU DISPLAY THEM OUTSIDE. JUST GATHER A CONTAINER, A GOOD POTTING MIX, AND PLANTS, AND YOU’RE READY TO GO.
Container Gardening Basics • Plant irresistible containers to pepper your garden with pops of color, texture, and intrigue. Whether you want stunning color flanking an entry or something pretty and edible on the patio, pots of appealing plant combos enrich a garden.
Container Design Basics • THE SUREST WAYS TO MAKE KNOCKOUT CONTAINERS ARE TO FOCUS ON THE PLANTS YOU PUT IN THEM AND THEN GIVE THEM A LITTLE TLC.
Lush Lawns & Groundcovers Opener • CARPETS OF GREEN GRASS OR OTHER LOW-GROWING PLANTS CATCH THE SOUTHERNER’S EYE. LEARN ABOUT SOME COMMON TYPES, THEN KEEP THESE FEATURES LOOKING GREAT—EVEN IN TRICKIER SPOTS—WITH GROWING TIPS AND TRICKS.
Choose the Right Grass • Lawns are a hot topic: Some argue that they’re not needed and require too much water, fertilizer, and pesticides. But they are versatile and serve as a place to relax and play. By being smart and planting the right type of grass for your region, and maintaining it correctly, you can grow an eye-pleasing lawn that looks good and benefits the environment.
Groundcovers • The most widely planted groundcover may be lawn, but there are many other options that require less sun and upkeep and add more color. Grow one of these perennials for more texture and beauty.
Lawn Know-How Tips • DEVELOPING A LUSH LAWN REQUIRES TIME, WORK, AND PATIENCE. BUT THE INVESTMENT PAYS OFF IN A YARD YOU WILL LOVE TO COME HOME TO.
Remarkable Shrubs Opener • SHRUBS ARE GARDEN POWERHOUSES. THEY CAN DRESS UP AN ENTRY, CREATE A PRIVACY SCREEN, OR ACT AS A FOCAL POINT. PLANT THE RIGHT ONES FOR LASTING...
