Coastal Gardening In the Pacific Northwest

by Carla Albright, Taylor Trade Publishing

Albright is an Oregon State Master Gardener, teaches OSU Master Gardener classes and writes a gardening column for the Tillamook Headlight Herald while also working as a professional gardener on the Oregon coast.

Her book is a combination of how-to guide, workbook and concise plant encyclopedia. She makes specific plant recommendations that will survive and thrive in our sometimes harsh conditions. The workbook portion are useful for focusing attention on the elements, (salt spray, rainfall, sun, wind) that make up a coastal garden environment. Chapter 7, “Plants To Avoid In Coastal Gardens” is a special favorite of mine.

The book also includes a brief travel guide for coastal public gardens and a compact bibliography pointing us to further research possibilities.