A Tapestry Garden

Starred review from May 21, 2018
The O’Byrnes lead an awe-filled tour of the singular Oregon garden they’ve cultivated over 45 years, a 70-acre site with multiple functions and habitats. From a chicken yard through several rockeries to an ambitious arboretum with dogwoods, redwoods, and more, the O’Byrne garden is richly varied. Thanks to the variety of beds and borders­—a map on the inside cover provides a helpful overview­—and the owners’ expertise, the plant selection is adventurous, offering special inspiration for shady areas. The O’Byrnes’ nursery specializes in hellebores, with an area set aside for these early-flowering woodland jewels. Gardeners who want to geek out over uncommon woodland plants such as trilliums and Jack-in-the-pulpits will enjoy the chapters spent on each. The book is illustrated with full-page landscape photos as well as detail shots, and the photography pairs well with the authors’ ruminative prose, which describes the garden and the thinking that governed its evolution. Most gardeners won’t work on this scale, but every green thumb can find inspiration in this stunning and imaginatively cultivated garden. Color photos.

Starred review from April 1, 2018

Most gardeners dream of seeing their plantings mature over time, but very few work the soil of the same place for 45 years. This is a love story about a couple and their relationship with an acre-and-a-half of land. Long before they began organic farming, Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne, now co-owners of Northwest Garden Nursery in Eugene, OR, made their living in landscaping. Marietta narrates their story, describing the gardens and the couple's evolving connection to place with wit, kindness, and the authority of their training as biologists. With exceptional plant descriptions that read like character references for old friends, the authors share their trials and tribulations in support of the journey for all gardeners. The book includes comprehensive insight into unique plant combinations, pruning and management tips for known and unfamiliar species. Their landscape tapestry layers plant preferences for soil, water, and light with season, shape, and color. VERDICT For readers undeterred by species-ranked taxonomic identification and a small amount of plant structure vocabulary, beautiful photographs and prose await. Highly recommended.--Nancy Marksbury, Keuka Coll., Keuka Park, NY

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