Landscape Plants for the Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts: Selection, Establishment, and Maintenance

"This new book by Robert Black and Edward Gilman covers a whole group of plants barely touched by other writers. . . . a most valuable reference for its almost endless salt-tolerant plant lists needed for planning and planting coastal landscapes."--Thomas MacCubbin, Better Homes and Gardens syndicated radio host

"Americans continue to migrate to the nation's southern coasts. Many of them try to garden and landscape their new homes, only to encounter a harsh environment with salt, sun, and sand that makes it challenging, to say the least. This book deals with this increasingly important--but neglected--topic. . . . A great help to home owners and landscapers alike."--Gary W. Knox, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida

With colorful photographs of more than 400 plants, this comprehensive treatment of the selection and care of seaside plants will be welcomed eagerly by gardeners from Virginia to south Texas.

As more and more of the nation's population moves to waterfront property, and as coastal construction surges, legions of business and residential owners have discovered the challenges of coastal gardening. Plants that might thrive inland often decline and eventually die. Though salinity is the most common and most hostile environmental stress, gardeners also battle poor soil, drought and downpours, high winds, humidity, and heat, not to mention occasionally freezing temperatures.

Robert J. Black and Edward F. Gilman tell gardeners how to conquer these hurdles and establish aesthetic and functional plants that can adapt to a coastal site. Beginning with basic gardening precepts, they present step-by-step information on specific plants, planting, best landscape uses, cultural needs, and plant maintenance. They address watering, fertilization, pruning, and other care concerns of salt tolerant plants.

This guidebook will be indispensable for all southern coastal homeowners, landscape architects, landscape designers and installers, landscape maintenance personnel, retail nursery personnel, extension agents, and for inland gardeners who face problems that result from salt water intrusion. Compact and handy, it will help them plan, plant, and maintain a beautiful seaside landscape.

Robert J. Black is professor emeritus of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida. Edward F. Gilman is professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida.