On the Necessity of Gardening: An ABC of Art, Botany and Cultivation

Edited by Laurie Cluitmans and published by Valiz, On the Necessity of Gardening explores gardening through social, cultural, political and historical perspectives. Organized as an abecedarium (a written work consisting of the letters of an alphabet, in order) the book traces the ways that gardens—once perceived in medieval times to be sites of paradise—became, by the 18th century, spaces of power and politics. This tale …

Eleplanter

While the charm of designer Scott Henderson’s self-watering Eleplanter is undeniable, there’s more at play than a cute animal reference. The trunk of the elephant actually functions as a watering reservoir, holding two weeks of liquid. The plant and soil rest in a receptacle with tiny weep holes, situated within the porcelain exterior design. The perforation absorption means there’s no overflow, over-watering or rising soil. …