Garden Up! Vertical gardening cyber book party & giveaway
Today is the official launch of Garden Up!: Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces, a new book by Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet, my friends and colleagues at Garden Designers Roundtable. To celebrate, Rebecca and Susan are hosting a cyber book party with 7 great giveaways, and I’m participating. Welcome to the party!
I can’t offer an unbiased review of Garden Up! because I’m so excited for Rebecca and Susan’s accomplishment. Plus I’m delighted to have contributed four of my photographs to the book, including this one of my sister’s courtyard garden in Houston. So of course I hope the book does well.
Photo by Rebecca Sweet
Having already read it, I can tell you that it offers great ideas for adding vertical dimension to your garden, whether you garden on a spacious rural or suburban lot or are making the most of a tiny, narrow side yard. For instance, suburban gardeners often start with a blank slate, a flat plane of grass with maybe a shade tree or two, and it can be daunting to figure out how to make an inviting garden space out of it. Susan and Rebecca share their experience as garden designers to illustrate how vertical hardscaping (arbors, trellises, fencing, walls, and the like) and layering plants to bridge the mid-level between grass and trees can define human-scaled garden spaces.
Photo by Rebecca Sweet
Likewise, the city gardener on a tight urban lot needs to capitalize on every inch of space, and gardening vertically is the key. Susan and Rebecca suggest using containers of different heights to create a layered effect in narrow spaces like balconies and around the edges of courtyards. Gardening up on the walls is also a great technique, whether with traditional trellises or contemporary succulent “pictures.”
I also like how Rebecca and Susan juxtapose before-and-after shots (as above) to illustrate how to garden up. Throughout the book they take a garden shot and break out the elements, with separate pictures and text, to show what makes the garden work. It’s a very illustrative method of explaining the essence of good vertical design.
Prizes!
But now it’s time to move on to the giveaways! There are some great prizes at this cyber book party. Seven bloggers, all of whom contributed to Susan and Rebecca’s book, are co-hosting, and each is offering a unique door prize. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment. Winners will be chosen randomly. The contest runs for a week, so check back on March 21 to see if you’re one of the lucky ones. The more blogs you visit and comment on, the more chances you have to win. Update: Prizes can only be shipped within the continental U.S.
Here’s what I’m giving away: a fabulous Succulent Living Picture Kit (valued at $70) from Succulent Gardens. I would love to have this for myself, but no! I am a good hostess and must not keep the good stuff to myself. The kit will be shipped to the winner to be assembled at home: a redwood frame topped with a wire grid, soil, and succulent cuttings. After you plant the succulents and give them time to root, you can hang your living picture on a wall and enjoy it all summer. (It will need to be brought indoors for the winter if it freezes in your region.)
My six co-hosts are also offering great prizes, so drop by their blogs and leave a comment to put yourself in the running:
Susan Morrison — Blue Planet Garden Blog
Prize: Nouveau Leaf Wrought Iron Trellis from H. Potter
Rebecca Sweet — Gossip in the Garden
Prize: Fiskars tool basket from Fiskars
Angela Davis — My Rubber Boots
Prize: $25 gift certificate from Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply
Jim Martin — Compost in My Shoe
Prize: $50 gift certificate from Annie’s Annuals
Jenny Peterson — J Peterson Garden Design
Prize: $75 gift certificate from High Country Gardens
Laura Schaub — Interleafings
Prize: Wally One from Woolly Pockets
Party Favors!
Would you like to have an autographed copy of Garden Up!? Rebecca and Susan are offering a pretty, signed bookplate (hand illustrated by Susan) to the first 100 people who purchase the book online. They’re working on the honor system, so there’s no need to prove you made a purchase. Just send an email with a mailing address and the name of the book’s recipient to: susan@morrison-sweet.com.
Thanks for coming to the party! Good luck in the giveaways, and if Garden Up! appeals to you enough to buy a copy, thanks for supporting my friends’ first book.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Congrats on getting some of your photos published in the book. Also, thanks for posting the link to succulent gardens – I may have to get my mom one of their wreaths for christmas this year.
The book is totally fabulous and I love the succulent wall planter!
happened upon your website by chance after my dad passed.was so impressed with the photography and how your garden was designed. every day looking at the different catagories ,i clicked on cemeteries and was shocked when the gravestone read Robert Williamson,
my dad …i’m sure he’s with me every day especially in my garden
The book looks really interesting and the succulent wall planter is amazing. Would love to win it.
hi..the post is really awesome…the pictures in the post are really very beautiful…Some plants are totally new to me, i am seeing them first time…i love the post, and thanks for sharing such nice post..keep it up, I want to view more posts from you…
Cant wait to get the book!
Plus, I’d love to win your giveaway!
Loving the cyber garden party! Thanks to all the passionate gardeners, bloggers, writers, photographers,sponsers, etc. etc. that’ve helped make this all possible… Happy reading, dreaming,growing & winning everyone!
this ‘coordinated launch’ is a great idea – i’ve seen a lot of cool sites this morning. thanks for hosting the contest.
I’m enjoying your blog, and, of course, would like to be entered in the drawing. LifeOnTheBalcony sent me your direction. I’m going online next to check out the book.
I love your blog!! I just ordered the book. With the interest in vertical gardening I am sure it will be a huge hit. Love the vertical succulent hanger!! I have just the spot for it.
I have been enjoying reading all the bloggers comments on the new book so of course, I had to order it! I am also enjoying reading past posts from all of you wonderful garden bloggers, while it’s forecast to rain for several days here, I can stay busy pouring over all the inspirational garden ideas!
The succulent planter looks gorgeous! I’m hoping to win!
I love succulents but don’t seem to have the knack for them. I’d certainly love to give this planter a try, though! It’s beautiful!
Sounds like an interesting book – enter me in the drawing!
Great topic. I just put the book on order with Amazon – a steal at $12
Love, love, love that Succulent Living Picture Kit. Please enter my name for a chance to win!
I am a reluctant poster. I have been reading your blog for quite some time and I just love all your pictures, advice and ideas! Last year I began experimenting with succulents, probably due to your inspiration. I have tried, in vain, to find a gopher plant and am still looking for one. I would love to win the succulent living picture and I live in Austin, so it would be an easy delivery or pick up!
MaryEllen, thanks for breaking your silence to leave such a nice comment. I saw gopher plant for sale at Natural Gardener and the Great Outdoors a couple of weeks ago. You might call them to see if they have any or will be getting another shipment anytime soon. —Pam
Can’t wait to read that book! I ‘garden up’ in my garden since my yard is cursed with the super-skinny side yards and ugly fencing all around. I use a lot of vines and hanging baskets.
I have such a tiny yard…and so much wooden fence. I’d love to learn more about gardening up, and I’d love this succulent frame you’re giving away. Thanks for putting a plug in for this book. I will be buying it!
I like your blog and follow it everyday. You have some very good advice. I love the concept of a vertical garden. I hope I win the prize!
Thanks for being a regular reader, Beverly. I appreciate it! —Pam
Please enter me in the drawing. If I don’t win, I may just copy the idea. Can’t wait to check out the other blogs.
As what you are telling us about the book, it seems to be a very interesting book. I can’t wait to read it. I’m looking for some really good ideas to get my high, long and naked looking private fence dressed up.
Thanks for hosting this contest. The Giveaway you are offering looks just awesome.
Paula Jo
I am a regular visitor of your blog, but have never posted. The chance to win that amazing prize has broken my blog silence. The book looks terrific too. Thanks for inviting us into your backyard, taking us along on your visits to other gardens, and your wonderful photos. Mary
Thanks for your kind comment, Mary, and for reading Digging! —Pam
The book looks like a real winner – even if I don’t win the succulent picture, delighted to have found out about the book.
I am so glad Spring is finally here!! I have a small space but by the end of May it is bursting with green plants and colorful flowers! Your book is just the inspiration I need! :)
Awesome blog as always and love the succulents. I purchased the last book you reviewed and I can’t get enough of it. I take it with me on trips to read it over and over and now that spring is here, I hope to apply some of this knowledge. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess! Pamie G.
http://www.ourhillcountryretreat.blogspot.com
pam@thegrahamfam.com
I am very interested in the idea of a vertical garden, and can’t wait to check out the new book. I have wanted to try out something of this kind for a while, and so, possibly this will provide the right inspiration. I need to do something, because I have what seems to be miles of blank wood privacy fencing just crying out to be covered with something beautiful.
Your sister’s garden patio looks so inviting! I can just imagine relaxing there with a good book or having an intimate chat with a friend.
I’ve really enjoyed watching your new garden come to life. You’re an inspiration!
I agree…I love your sister’s garden! Please enter me in your great giveaway. The books looks wonderful!!!!
Can’t win if you don’t enter. Even if it means overwintering it inside.
I like the idea of the living picture frame. I have recent come across your site and it if full of great ideas.
I’m new to Austin gardening, but finally gathered the courage to tear out my front lawn and plant drought-tolerant plants; your blog is my go-to source when I need information. Thanks!
Great photos of vertical garden ideas in action. Looking forward to getting my book too. I have been to Succulent Gardens in Castroville and it is a wonderfully huge place. Spent over 4 hours there pouring over everything. They also did a Dove Cote display at Filoli Gardens last year that was fabulous and I loved their display at the SF Flower and Garden show last year. Looking forward to the show again coming up this week. Found you via Compost in my shoe via Annie’s Annuals. I have no doubt that the book will do well. Thanks for participating in the raffle – it’s lots of fun!
I’m so excited for this book! I love climbing vines and climbing edibles (like peas!). I can’t wait to read about the vertical edibles. Congratulations on being included!
Hi Pam, love the succulent picture kit and the book! I’ve been having a ton of fun reinventing my garden this year and have been referring to your blog for advice and ideas. Thank you for all you share!
I need this book – I tried to garden vertically a few years ago, but now have big gaps between the beds and the vines that trail along the top of my fence. The tips on layering would help, I imagine.
And the succulent picture kit – well, how lovely is that?
I really like the pics from the book. Thanks for the give-away.
Pam, how generous you are to share such a prize! Love those succulents and hope I am not too late to be considered.
You have given me much inspiration this Spring Break…I love the new pool pump “cottage” and how your yard is transforming. So fun to see!
Enjoy your spring!!!
I saw a succulent wreath on sale at The Great Outdoors for $50 (half off) after Christmas. I am still kicking myself for not buying one. I enjoy watching the progress of your yard. But I miss “Green Hall”.
Love your garden blog- I think I might be your biggest fan! I’m always referring people to Digging and enjoy all your great plant and gardening ideas. Succulents are one of my favorites but haven’t tried going vertical yet. Plan to check out Garden Up for new project ideas.
Thanks for being a loyal reader, Sharon. I appreciate it! —Pam
I just stumbled upon your blog tonight and I am in love! I love the stock tank ponds, I have a vegetable garden in my tank but I’m always looking for an excuse to by a new one.
Although I find them so beautiful I have never attempted to grow a succulent garden here’s hoping my chance has come!
Hi!
i came to know about ur blog when i was searching for some info about texas plants.i am happy that i found ur blog and am visiting it ever since.thanks for the info u r giving in this …i am checking ur blog for lot of information.thanks for all ur posts.
What a great contest. Whoever wins is very fortunate.
What a fun contest! Can’t wait to read the book too…
[...] you to everyone—all 145 of you!—who left a comment on last Monday’s cyber book party post celebrating the publication of Garden Up!. Everyone who commented was entered into a random drawing [...]
[...] gardening has gotten a lot of attention lately (see my recent review of Garden Up!), and deservedly so. While gardeners have always planted vines and greened up their walls, a [...]