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I just found the next book you need to buy.  

5/19/2013

 
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Debra Lee Baldwin is the Martha Stewart and the Ellen DeGeneres of succulents--on one hand sophisticated and elegant; on the other, whimsical and wry.  I love her latest book, Succulents Simplified (which comes out tomorrow!) because even more than in her first two (Designing With Succulents and Succulent Container Gardens), DLB's voice comes through in her latest.  It's not an all-inclusive succulent bible, nor is it as design-focused as her previous books.  Instead, it's a fun, idiosyncratic, and informative romp in DLB's succulent-filled world. 

Succulents Simplified is divided into three parts.  The first is called "Enjoying, Growing, and Designing With Succulents."  It begins with lots of interesting succulent groupings (e.g., best blooms, picks for lazy gardeners, succulents you can eat if you're so inclined).  Then the advice begins.  There's a meaty little section with succinct riffs on topics like propagation, seasonal care, and dealing with pests.  This is followed by a section about design principles that's probably my favorite section in the whole book: chock full of terrific pictures, interesting container ideas, and short, informative blurbs with titles like "Not Your Grandma's Topiary" and "Why You Really Need Rocks."

The second part of Succulents Simplified consists of eight projects, ranging from simple to advanced, which showcase succulents.  I confess I'm not much on how-to projects; half of these were a little too Martha Stewart for me.  But reading them still gave me ideas and taught me a thing or two (e.g., that some people still own cake stands, and what good a fishing swivel might ever do me).  Plus, DLB offers plenty of tips, tricks, and fixes for making each project your own--complete with plant recommendations.

Succulents Simplified's final part features 100(!) easy-care succulents--and we're not talking about a crammed list with a couple of pictures here and there.  A photo, description, and growing tips are provided for each of the hundred varieties.  The breadth of DLB's selection is fun and impressive, and doesn't give short shrift to cacti or less-popular euphorbias (I maintain that haworthias got a short shrift, and she goes pretty heavy on the aloes, but YMMV). 

It's no secret that I'm a veritable Debra Lee Baldwin fan girl, and Succulents Simplified is sure to convert many more succ-ers into DLB-fan-girls (or fan-boys), too.  Although it was written for beginners and designed as a kind of "prequel" to her two other books, this one belongs on the shelves of novices and experts alike.  (Not to mention, it's paperback, and a bargain for $15 on Amazon.)  Even if you're a longtime succulent gardener, I dare you to read Succulents Simplified without learning something useful.


Debra Lee Baldwin link
5/20/2013 02:29:53 am

Martha Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres? I envision the two of them warily circling each other. No wonder I'm bipolar (kidding). Actually, I really appreciate this review. You obviously read the book. Your own voice, personality and preferences are like an overlay, pointing out what you found most useful and maybe not so much. Now I feel like apologizing to the entire country of Japan, because the Japanese are mad for haworthias. And admittedly, I do tend to over-aloe.

What I appreciate most, is you got what I'm about. I have a passion for these plants, I enjoy sharing them, but even more, I love words used well. I'm a hand's-on gardener and horticulturist, but the main thing is I'm a career journalist. And you can WRITE, amazingly well. Too bad there's no money in it, ha.

Laura Balaoro
5/20/2013 02:43:46 am

Wow! so well written. Are you sure you are not a journalist? I am sure Debra will sell more of her books because of your blog.

Diana Clark link
5/20/2013 05:23:22 am

Is that the sound of a thousand book-buyers clicking their way to the Amazon check-out counter? Your review is just plain mouth-watering. Everyone who reads it will find it impossible to resist getting a copy of "Succulents Simplified." My only regret is that such stunning photograhy deserves to be in a hardcover book, because my coffee table doesn't support paperbacks ... and I will want this book easily at hand.

Candy Suter link
5/21/2013 03:11:30 pm

What a wonderful review. You are an exceptional writer! She will definitely sell more books because of this post!


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