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December 13, 2011 · 1 Comment

Book Review: Prairie-Style Gardens

Books/Writing

A Gardener’s Reading, 12 of 30

By Lynn Steiner (Timber Press, 2010)

I’ve written before about Prairie-Style Gardens: Capturing the Essence of the American Prairie Wherever You Live, Lynn Steiner’s 2010 book on garden design done in the spirit of the North American prairie.  Lynn has written about native plants extensively, and this book does include a large section of plant profiles. But it’s the book’s focus on design that makes it different and very useful.

prairie style gardens coverLynn starts the book by explaining where prairies existed in North America, a vast swath from the middle of Texas to Alberta, from the western edge of Indiana to Montana. The book is aimed at both gardeners who want to re-create (or at least attempt to re-create) the prairie in their landscape and those who want a traditional home landscape but would like to use prairie plants because of their hardiness and beauty.

One aspect of Lynn’s book that I think will make it extremely popular among home gardeners is her understanding that while many people might like to plant a prairie in theory, actually accomplishing it is difficult unless you live in the country. In an earlier article in Northern Gardener, she recommended using formal lines, having clean edges, and maintaining your garden tidily to keep the peace among the neighbors, if you landscape with a prairie aesthetic.

But any northern gardener can plant native or prairie plants somewhere on their property — even if it’s a small city lot. The book provides tips on designing a prairie-style garden as well as ideas for choosing plants for particular purposes, such as attracting birds or butterflies.  Her plant lists – such as lists for creating season long interest or lists of potentially invasive plants – are worth checking out before a trip to the nursery.

For those interested in seeing how fabulous a prairie-style garden can be, I cannot help but put in a plug for the January/February 2012 issue of Northern Gardener, which will be on news stands in a couple of weeks. The cover story is a profile of Lynn’s garden. It’s a beautiful example of blending the prairie and traditional garden style to create a garden that fits perfectly in its environment.

 

Related posts:

  1. Book Review: Growing Perennials in Cold Climates A Gardener’s Reading, seventh of 30 By Mike Heger, John...
  2. Book Review: Home Outside: Creating a Landscape You Love A Gardener’s Reading (fifth of 30) By Julie Moir Messervy...
  3. Five Prairie Plants for Traditional Gardens Last night, I attended Lynn Steiner’s talk at Bachman’s about...
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  1. Lessons from a Native Plant Revolutionary - My Northern Garden says:
    February 19, 2019 at 8:17 am

    […] for design (or maintenance). In urban areas especially, gardens with lots of native plants need to look intentional to keep the neighbors happy. Echoing plants throughout a design, creating paths, thinking about […]

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Author, editor, blogger. Plants, how-tos, books, recipes, and Lola, the dog. #coldclimategarden
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Instagram post 2198851247623355458_1447832097 Let the holiday baking begin with Emily Dickinnson’s Black Cake, a delicious compromise between fruit cake and gingerbread. I use candied ginger and dates instead of currants.  Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee on a cold day. #Recipe below:

2 cups sugar
1/2 lb butter
1/4 cup molasses
5 eggs 
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cloves 
1 tsp mace
1 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp nutmeg 
1/4 cup or more brandy
1.5 lbs total dried fruit (I use citron, raisins, dates, candied ginger)
 Cream butter and sugar until light, add eggs one at a time and molasses. Beat well. Sift spices and dry ingredients together. Adds dry ingredients to butter mixture alternating with brandy. Add more brandy if needed. Fold in dry fruit and pour into two regular sized loaf pans (or about 6 small ones). Heat oven to 225 and place a large pan of hot water on bottom shelf. Bake at 225 F (yes, 225) for 2.5 hours. After 2.5 hours, remove water pans, increase heat to 300 and bake another 30 to 40 minutes. It should be firm and a little crispy on the edges. Let cool. Slice and enjoy! 
#ambaking #emilydickinson #blackcake #oldrecipe #literarycooks #EmilyDickinsoncooks #notfruitcake
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Instagram post 2196701309921404156_1447832097 The annual gIfts for gardeners post is on the blog, and one of my favorite new-to-me but ancient-to-the-world garden tools is an olla. I used one in a tomato container this past summer and had the healthiest tomatoes ever. Thanks to @jenniferrensenbrink for telling me about ollas. Of course, I think a membership in @mnhort is a great gift for the gardener who wants ideas rather than things. Link to blog post with full list in bio.
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Instagram post 2195418924718369831_1447832097 Trimming the sideboard with holiday fun, including this homey sign from @wonderandtwine and my thrifted snowman cookie jar. It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . .
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Instagram post 2194708592047924174_1447832097 Holiday decor requires some houseplants to vacate the living room and hang out on top of the dog kennel for a few weeks. Nice sun in this spot and a seasonal runner made by my sister. Ho-ho-ho. .
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Instagram post 2190808837592766596_1447832097 This book from the amazing @homesteadbrooklyn and two others reviewed on the blog today. Link in bio. All address our divorce from nature and how/why to reconnect. Good reading for winter. .
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Instagram post 2186443825478771999_1447832097 After needing to be carried outside to do her business, Lola settles in for the snow day. .
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I’m ready for tomorrow’s @mnhort Holiday Open House. If you are near Rosedale Center, the office is just west at 1935 County Rd B2. Vendors, a chance to make a fun door swag and  a once a year deal on gift memberships in MSHS. I’d love to see you there.
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