I have seen a few books on landscaping and gardening but none seem well written or illustrated for bungalows. I tried looking in the archives for an answer but found nothing of use. I would like to hear from anyone who has come across a good book that has plenty of illustrations to see, and explains what we are looking at in regards to plant types. We hope to restore our 20's bungalow to its former glory. Thanks in advance. Smalltown

I've found the attached a good source of books - site maintained by the Twin Cities Bungalow Club http://www.bungalowclub.org/resources_list.html. Gertrude Jekyll is considered the originator of A&C garden design in England and her books are still used widely today - can be bought on ebay, too. Paul D.'s book covers both house exteriors and yard structures. An internet search using the word "heirloom" will get you to sites that deal in or discuss older plants and approaches to gardening. Have fun!

first it depends on where you are at: I've noticed a lot of "gardening Books" over the years be pretty damned broad about zones and usually failing to note that they are not including the tropics. That said historically bungalows arise at a time of cottage gardens in late 19th century England. Also given the asiatic nature of the design of these houses it would not be out of nature to attempt a traditional Japanese garden. There are a number of links out there. Also Go to seedsofchange.org - its an outstanding selection of rare and popular seeds that come from well tended plants. I experience about a 95% germination rate with them & the ones that don't come up I chalk up to my heavy handed touch. I save about two grand in plant purchases that way. Lastly if your wondering the front and back yard - I'm working on a mix of Floribunda, Grandiflora and Hybrid Tea roses with herbs, annuals, perenials and vegi's all mixed in a naturalized setting. It works for me! Good luck and if I can be of any assistance let me know! <br>Matt <br>zone 9a

http://gardeninglaunchpad.com/ <br>great link

Thanks Bungalowman and anonymous for your input. We live in IL an hour south of Chicago in a small farming community. We need to clear most everything out to correct the grade from the house as well as filling 2 cisterns that are beyond there useful purpose. So this will give us a clean slate to do things right.I am still open for anyone else willing to add to this post.

You might also want to check out the heirloom forum on gardenweb.com. Also, for heirloom fall bulbs, try Old House Gardens in Ann Arbor, MI - they are awesome! I've got a book called Restoring American Gardens - an Encyclopedia of Heirloon Plants by Diane W. Adams. It's really good in that it has about 60 pages of garden history by geography, house style. It has pictures of plants with descriptions, along with old garden photographs. The copyright is 2004 so it's current as are the heirloom plant and seed sources in the appendix. Have fun - when you regrade, do not let them just add pulverized top soil. It's the cheapest but you will have a huge job of soil amending ahead of you. Pulverized top soil is full of broken up rocks. I've learned that lesson the hard way as we had to regrade at our old house. Try and have good organic top soil (amended with compost if possible) added where you know you'll add gardens. Happy plant hunting!

yeah good post by anon...Compost! its your friend!..Ya know..you wouldnt be remiss to plant some perrenials and then mulch 'em when it gets cold..Like Hollyhocks and others that do better in the second year. And Bulbs! Ok thats it..staying right here hoping the Hurricane stays west of us! Whooo hoo.

I just wanted to say thanks again to all who responded. I am working through all the info and am sure it all will be of use to me. One of you lives in Oak Park,IL ( my wife grew up there!) and they if memory serves me right have a huge garden club as well as many bungalows. So I will be trying to get in touch with them soon as well as riding around looking at what others have done there in Oak Park. <br> <br>Now I am getting back to removing all the plants PO s had put in . Take care , Smalltown

Smalltown and others, There's going to be a Bungalow House tour in Oak Park on 10/7 and 10/8. Check this link for info http://www.oakparkparks.com/programs/do ... me_007.pdf. - pg 2 of the pdf. Should be good.

I have been reading the following and enjoying it: <br> <br>Outside the bungalow : America's arts & crafts garden / Paul Duchscherer ; photographs by Douglas Keister. <br>New York : Penguin Studio, c1999.

Another tip: Look at old photos from your local historical society. Nice gardens were often photographed by neighbors and the local papers. -- cheers