Plants in the Getty's Central Garden

Book excerpt: Plants in the Getty's Central Garden is Jim Duggan's sequel to the book Robert Irwin Getty Garden, Lawrence Weschler's account of the making of the Central Garden at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Designed by contemporary artist Robert Irwin, this "sculpture in the form of a garden aspiring to be art" draws thousands of visitors each year. One of the key collaborators who helped Irwin realize his vision, Jim Duggan is, in his own words, a "hands-on gardener." His knowledge and experience were invaluable as Irwin selected the plants that would make up the interwoven "tapestry" of the Central Garden. This colorful guide brings together informative descriptions of the growing habits and characteristics of nearly four hundred individual plants, with beautiful images by noted garden photographer Becky Cohen. Duggan provides suggestions for cultivating the plants, many of which will be unfamiliar to gardeners in Southern California. Also included in the book are a foreword by Robert Irwin; three essays by Duggan tracing his involvement with the project; a map of the Central Garden; a plant location guide; and an index of scientific and common names.