Author Description

Interest in Xeriscape gardening has been growing steadily in the last seven years, since Jim Knopf's pioneering publication, The Xeriscape Flower Gardener. Western homeowners and city planners alike recognize the importance of conserving the precious resource of water. Now Jim Knopf turns his attention to woody plants. His extensive plant lists specify the water needs for various trees, shrubs, and vines, allowing you to group them together for more efficient water use. A special annotated and illustrated section features the most noteworthy plants. Exploding the myth that Xeriscaping is expensive, Jim Knopf shows clearly and irrefutably that Xeriscapes can cost less than traditional-landscapes, and they can be very easy to maintain. Jim Knopf rounds out the book with useful advice on solving various water-supply predicaments with waterwise landscaping, information on the new turf-types of buffalograss and tall fescue, reports on an innovative water conservation law, detailed climate data for arid and semi-arid cities around the world, and special chapters devoted to the specific climates in Southern California, Southern Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Filled with full-color photos of eye-appealing waterwise landscaping, this complete Xeriscape guide will be invaluable for homeowners, landscape architects, nursery workers, and city planners in any region that relies on irrigation.