Gifts for Her

As the owner of one of the world’s most elaborate sea glass collections, Mary Beth Beuke gets to talk about these prized ocean gems on a daily basis. Unfortunately, with each passing day, sea glass becomes more and more difficult to find, making the hunt more of a challenge to the seeker–especially one with limited experience in sea glass hunting.

There are several reasons why the hunt is so important to the sea glass seeker. Some find their Zen moments in the solitude and beauty of the hunt. Some collect to add color to their life. The history, mystery, and discovery of sea glass are also strong forces that draw collectors to shorelines around the world, looking for these pieces of physically and chemically weathered frosted glass.

Whatever your reason for wanting to learn about and start your own collection of sea glass, the window for doing so is closing as pieces are becoming more elusive due to a growth in sea glass popularity and a decrease in recent glass bottle production.

In The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass, Beuke provides information that will help first-time seekers start new collections and veteran hunters learn more about their current sets. Beuke shares her experiences in gathering her own collection via photographs of vibrant and rare pieces, as well.

Finally: a book that addresses the unique challenges of gardening in the coastal South.

Master Gardener Barbara Sullivan provides an authoritative guide for gardeners from Tidewater Virginia to Florida and all along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, an area taking in USDA Zones 7b, 8, 9, and 10. Combining helpful gardening advice with an A-to-Z plant guide that describes more than 1,000 plant varieties and cultivars, Garden Perennials for the Coastal South will become an essential reference for both experienced and novice gardeners in this region.

The book is organized to allow planning a year-round garden or focusing on a particular season. Sections separate subtropical plants, vines, herbs, groundcovers, ferns, heat- and drought-tolerant plants, shade plants, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals, as well as address disease-resistant roses for the region.

More than 200 color photographs illustrate individual plants and provide examples of beautiful landscape design. Rounding out the book’s usefulness is information on the basics of landscaping, soil preparation, plant care, propagation, diseases, and pests. Whether you are new to the coastal South or a lifelong resident, you will find Garden Perennials for the Coastal South an indispensable addition to your gardening bookshelf.