Book Review: Waterwise Garden

Reviewed by Brett Kerley

Massey, Tom. Waterwise Garden: Sustain Your Garden Through Drought and Flood. Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd (DK), 2025. ISBN: 9780241740224 (Hardback) Pages: 192

Gardening in Edmonton has both challenges and opportunities: long cold winters, a short but sunny growing season, variable precipitation, and summers that can experience drought-like conditions.

Waterwise Garden maps well to Edmonton’s context.

Edmonton falls roughly in Plant Hardiness Zone 4a, though experienced local gardeners often play it safe and treat parts of it as Zone 3b due to possible harsh winters. In winter, temperatures can drop to –30 °C or lower; summers can be warm and dry. The frost-free growing season averages 135–140 days. Given these extremes, gardens that rely on heavy watering or tender, high-maintenance plants may struggle.

Water-wise or “xeriscape” gardening, as advocated by Waterwise Garden, aligns with local best practices. The City of Edmonton encourages drought-resistant landscaping, selective plantings, reduced lawn areas, mulching, and efficient watering.

Many drought-resistant perennials, shrubs, and ground covers suggested in local Edmonton guides — such as yarrow, sea holly, potentilla, stonecrop, blanketflower, and hardy shrubs — are well suited to xeriscaping and reflect the kind of plant palette Waterwise Garden encourages.

Even established drought-tolerant plants need occasional deep watering — a principle Waterwise Garden supports. Deep watering encourages strong root systems, improving survival over dry summers.

Edmonton gardens often feature variable soil types, from clay to sandy, compacted or well-drained. Waterwise gardening encourages improving soil using  compost, mulch, and organic matter to enhance water retention or drainage as needed. This helps manage both drought and occasional heavy rainfalls.

Mulch and organic matter help moderate soil temperature, retain moisture in dry spells, curb evaporation, and reduce the need for frequent irrigation. These are vital if plants are to survive hot, dry summer stretches.

Waterwise Garden’s approach to ecological and sustainable planting resonates with the local idea of using hardy, native or adapted plants that support biodiversity. In Edmonton, selecting native or prairie-adapted plants offers better resilience and supports local wildlife and reduces water and maintenance needs.

Gardens designed with ecological sense — layering vegetation, grouping by water needs, using shrubs and perennials instead of water-hungry lawns — can create more sustainable, wildlife-friendly gardens even in urban yards.

Strengths:

• The book’s emphasis on water-efficient design and planting suits Edmonton’s climate
• The guidance on drought-resistant plants, soil care, and garden layout parallels local xeriscaping advice, making the book highly practical and relevant.
• The design sensibility of the book helps strike a balance between aesthetic appeal and ecological & water-wise practices.
• The flexible advice on planting, drainage, soil, and water management can be tailored to Edmonton’s short growing season and extreme winters. It’s useful whether you have a small backyard, raised beds, or larger property.

Possible Limitations / What to Adapt for Edmonton:

• You’ll need to double-check the hardiness of recommended plants for Zone 3b/4a conditions. As many local sources advise, opting for hardy prairie-adapted or native species (zone 2–4) gives better long-term success than exotic ornamentals.
• The short growing season limits what you can do. Some flowering plants or perennials may have trouble blooming or establishing properly before frost, so careful plant selection and perhaps seasonal planning (raised beds, cloches, frost protection) is necessary. Microclimates (south-facing walls, heated soils, raised beds) can be used to extend the season.
• Even drought-tolerant plants need more frequent watering in the first year after planting while they establish. That means water conservation doesn’t start immediately. However, once established, the long-term savings and resilience become apparent.

Tom Massey is a London-based garden designer, television presenter, and horticultural author, known for designing gardens for events such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He combines design sensibility with ecological awareness and sustainable-garden practices. His expertise brings together aesthetics and function, emphasizing gardens that are resilient to climate variability, water constraints, and changing conditions.

Because of his experience and outlook, Waterwise Garden is not just about pretty planting — it’s about creating gardens that respond to environmental realities: drought, water excess, soil and drainage issues, and changing seasons. That philosophical foundation aligns well with gardeners facing challenging climates — including those in places with shorter seasons and water stresses.

Given our love of nature, connection to landscapes and environment, and (presumably) interest in creating a garden that supports biodiversity — Waterwise Garden is especially relevant to gardeners around Edmonton. It offers a thoughtful, climate-aware approach that aligns with regional challenges and the need for sustainable, low-maintenance landscaping.

This book can be borrowed from Edmonton Public Library or purchased from local or online bookstores. (Audreys or Indigo)