Container and Small-Space Gardening for the South: How To Grow Flowers and Food No Matter Where You Live

Gardener Ellis (Chesapeake Gardening & Landscaping) offers a straightforward book about gardening in small spaces, especially in the southeastern part of the U.S. There is a section about the amounts of sun, shade, and air circulation a gardening site should receive, no matter its size. Ellis also addresses containers, including raised beds, concrete planters, and reused and upcycled materials. She also includes detailed information on mediums for filling containers and various methods of irrigation. There is a large section about flowers and foliage “fillers, spillers, and thrillers,” shorthand for the three types of plants that designers often recommend to fill out a container display. Attention is also devoted to growing various vegetables, fruits, and herbs, with hints on increasing yield, maintaining gardens year-round, and developing a planting plan. Ellis also provides helpful tidbits on the types of plants ideal for particular garden conditions such as shade, sun, and cooler weather. The book’s tips and ideas are applicable to gardeners everywhere.