The Gardening Shelf

Cleveland's Cultural Gardens: A Landscape of Diversity
John J. Grabowski, author
Lauren R. Pacini, photographer
The Kent State University Press
1118 Library, P.O. Box 5190, Kent OH 44242 http://www.kentstateuniversitypress.com
9781606354414, $35.00, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Clevelands-Cultural-Gardens-John-Grabowski/dp/160635= 4418

Synopsis: From their beginnings as private farmland to their current form a=
s monuments to cultural and ethnic diversity, the unique collection of land= scaped, themed gardens that compose Cleveland's Cultural Gardens holds a ri=
ch history.

With the publication of "Cleveland's Cultural Gardens: A Landscape of Diver= sity", John J. Grabowski guides readers through this story, using both arch= ival images and Lauren R. Pacini's stunning contemporary photography to ill= ustrate their development and importance. The effect is a comprehensive vie=
w of the factors that made the Cultural Gardens possible, from Cleveland's = geographical features to international conflicts.

First erected as the Shakespeare Garden in 1916, the land bordering Doan Br= ook slowly began to incorporate tributes to immigrants, reflecting Clevelan= d's role as a key location for eastern European immigrants. Through this ch= ronicle of the gardens' changing landscapes, Grabowski shapes a gripping na= rrative of shifting attitudes toward immigration, both locally and national= ly.

Throughout both world wars, the Cold War, and more recent events, the garde= ns' composition has changed to reflect more diversity, now encompassing 33 = individual gardens that honor cultures and countries with connections to Cl= eveland. Today, each garden features plants native to the corresponding cul= ture, from German to Vietnamese and from Ethiopian to Finnish. This vast cu= ltural inclusivity makes Cleveland's Cultural Gardens a forerunner in the p= ush for greater representation of cultures and people of color in memorials=
and public spaces.

The gardens also highlight a growing emphasis on collaboration and coexiste= nce among cultures, as symbolized in the Peace Garden of the Nations and it=
s crypt of intermingled soil from historic shrines around the world.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with black-and-w= hite photos, "Cleveland's Cultural Gardens: A Landscape of Diversity" will =
be of special and particular interest to landscape field specialists and am= ateur gardeners alike for bot its excellent illustrations and for its infor= mative discussion of culture, inclusion, and diversity both on a local and =
a national scale. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional=
, community, and academic library Gardening/Landscaping collections, it sho= uld be noted for personal reading lists that "Cleveland's Cultural Gardens:=
A Landscape of Diversity" is also available in a digital book format (Kind= le, $33.25).

Editorial Note #1: John J. Grabowski (https://history.case.edu/faculty/john= -grabowski) works as the Krieger-Mueller Associate Professor of Applied His= tory at Case Western Reserve University and as the Krieger-Mueller Chief Hi= storian at the Western Reserve Historical Society. He is the editor of the = online edition of The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and The Dictionary =
of Cleveland Biography. He has published numerous books, including The Ency= clopedia of Cleveland History, The Dictionary of Cleveland Biography, and S= ports in Cleveland: An Illustrated History.

Editorial Note #2: Lauren R. Pacini is an author and photographer specializ= ing in black-and-white photography. Also a member of the Western Reserve Hi= storical Society, Pacini focuses much of his work on Cleveland. His writing=
and photography have been published in numerous books, including Honoring = Their Memory and Renaissance on East 9th Street.

Bloom: Flowering Plants for Indoors and Balconies
Lauren Camilleri, author
Sophia Kaplan, author
Smith Street Books
c/o Rizzoli
300 Park Avenue South, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010
www.rizzoliusa.com
9781922417855, $40.00, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Bloom-Flowering-Plants-Indoors-Balconies/dp/19224178=
58

Synopsis: The fundamental message of "Bloom: Flowering Plants for Indoors a=
nd Balconies" by the team of Lauren Camilleri andj Sophia Kaplan is that th=
e homeowner or apartment dweller doesn't need a sprawling garden to brighte=
n their lives with flowers. This beautifully designed, illustrated and inst= ruction guide shows how any space, no matter how small, can be transformed = into a colorful oasis with flowering plants.

The ultimate guide to beautiful blooms, Lauren and Sophia from Leaf Supply = have tips for care, selection, styling, and arrangement. A guide through th=
e seasons, Bloom has everything you need to create flowering gardens indoor=
s or on balconies.

Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Bloom" is a c= ompendium of:=C2=A3 Practical information on the best light, soil, and care=
requirements; Provides details of when to plant and when flowers bloom; Sh= owcases 60+ flowering plant profiles; and includes interviews with plant-lo= vers who have filled their homes with blooming plants!

Critique: Fun and informative, inspired and inspiring, a flower lover's del= ight to simply browse through one page at a time, "Bloom: Flowering Plants = for Indoors and Balconies" is a welcome and unreservedly recommended additi=
on to personal, professional, community, and academic library Urban Gardeni=
ng collections.

Editorial Noter: Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan are the creative force = behind the Sydney-based interior-design nursery Leaf Supply. They have prof= essional backgrounds in interior architecture and advertising, respectively=
.. Together, they have previously authored Leaf Supply, Indoor Jungle, and P= lantopedia for Smith Street Books.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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