Kentaro Duroda’s book, The Succulents Design Book, combines instructions for creating living arrangements of succulents with basic information on growing and using this unique group of plants. The book is beautifully and lavishly illustrated which allows the reader to become familiar with a large variety of succulents and appreciate their unique characteristics. The emphasis, however, is on the very creative arrangements Duroda makes with his plant material. The author is a horticulturist and founder of Flora Kuroda Gardening in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
The book is divided into two major parts with the first part presenting 36 designs, three for each month of the year. Each design includes a description of the design, a diagram of the design layout, list of plant material, container suggestions, step by step instructions with photographs, and a photograph of the completed project. The designs may be traditional or unconventional and range from small and relatively simple to large and freestanding. Also included are a wreath and two landscapes. The designs use a large variety of succulents, and a range of containers from ordinary bowls and pots, to an antique birdcage, scales, and a small aquarium. Duroda knows his plant material intimately and has a creative way of combining the plants so that their colors, sizes, and shapes blend into a harmonious whole. Always aware of the needs of his plants and the season of their maximum impact and beauty, Duroda produces combinations that add beauty throughout the year. Numerous insets give tips to make designing easier and more fruitful.
The second part of the book presents basic instructions for the planting, care and arranging of succulents in containers. It considers tools, types of containers, plant selection, pest and disease control, and basic techniques of combining succulents. One of the most valuable features of this part of the book is the illustrated, annotated list of 100 plants recommended for specific situations such as plants for the leading role, plants with deep color to use as accents, and plants with unique forms. Each entry has a small photograph of the plant, a brief description, and the page number where the plant can be found in an arrangement. The Succulents Design Book is a “must have” for succulent lovers!
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