Meadow gardening is an exciting, fresh approach to horticulture. By taking advantage of native plant life and soil conditions, gardeners can create an ecologically friendly yard that requires less water and mowing. Greenlee (Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses) is well known for his work creating meadow gardens and improving grasses available to gardeners. Here, he focuses on the conditions of regional types of American grasslands, emphasizing throughout that gardeners must first understand local ecology (using professional help where necessary) to be successful. With Holt's photographs, this is a large and colorful showcase of Greenlee's extensive knowledge and great passion for gardening. His enthusiasm will be infectious to those who find a natural look appealing, but others may be put off by the idea of meadows growing in suburban lawns. VERDICT Gardeners who are serious about creating a more natural look will find this book extremely helpful and inspirational in its thorough introduction to planning and creating a meadow garden.—Margaret Heller, Dominican Univ. Lib., River Forest, IL