Mississippi Library Association

Southern Sun: A Plant Selection Guide

Kellum, Jo. Southern Sun: A Plant Selection Guide.
Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008.
141 pp. $25.00 (paperback)

Many Southerners who have dabbled in gardening know firsthand that choosing plants hardy enough to withstand long hours of harsh summer sun can be difficult. In Southern Sun: A Plant Selection Guide, author Jo Kellum provides a straightforward guide to help readers select plants that thrive in the South’s hot summer sun. Kellum, a landscape architect who has written about garden design for Southern Living magazine, draws from her extensive knowledge and experience to create an easy-to-follow book that includes many recognizable plants, as well as some surprises that may not be as commonly known.
Kellum selects plants that are low-maintenance and she emphasizes the distinction between morning sun and afternoon sun because certain plants may thrive in one setting but not the other. The presentation of Southern Sun is easy to follow and the details about each plant are helpful without being overwhelming.
The book is organized into chapters on bedding plants, shrubs, trees, ground covers, and vines to help readers easily locate plants and plan their gardens. Within each chapter, Kellum devotes several pages to each plant and includes excellent photos and a list of basic growing information, such as size, growth rate, water needs, and growing zones. She also includes a detailed narrative about how to grow the plant with important tips on maintenance.
Southern Sun is appropriate for gardeners of all experience levels, but it will be especially helpful for those contemplating their first landscaping project or those who are new to the South. Kellum’s presentation is clean and straightforward, so it will not overwhelm beginners, but she provides enough description about each plant to appeal to experienced gardeners. This book is highly recommended for public libraries.

Laura Capell
Digitization Librarian
University of Southern Mississippi

Entry Filed under: Book Reviews
Posted on: October 1st, 2008