The perfect garden read

{felder rushing}

Last weekend my wonderful mother-in-law-to-be gave me a big box of plant starts! There is everything in there from Columbine to my personal favorite- Russian Sage. I am so excited to put them in the ground this weekend and as luck would have it- this is the week that the famous Felder Rushing is at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for the IMA Horticultural Society's Perennial Premiere (this Saturday from 10-5 if you're local!).

I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to run the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful booth at his lecture on Thursday night where two of his books were on sale. It was there that the stars aligned and I found Rushing's "Tough Plants for Northern Gardens". It was a great find and something that I dove into as soon as I got home.  I totally geeked out and have already put sticky tabs on all the plants that are in my hand-me-down plant box.

The book gives a photo as well as a well-written and entertaining description of each plant, the type of sun it needs, how to care for it and even a list of good plants for beginners and master gardeners. He also breaks down the book into chapters on annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, tropicals and vines which makes it really easy to read and a great quick-reference when you need it.

I can't wait to get outside this weekend with my new plants and figure out where to put them thanks to my new book. Hopefully the weather cooperates! And if it doesn't I'll just hunker down and peruse through Felder Rushing's website, which I find highly charming and informative. One disclaimer: if you are going to his website because you want tips on a highly manicured, clean-cut yard you are looking in the wrong place. His stuff is creative, quirky, and lets plants grow and thrive in their naturally wonderful state. I personally find him to be one awesome and far-out dude.