Books by Succulent Expert Debra Lee Baldwin

Three bestsellers published by Timber Press

Debra's three books on succulents provide in-depth information on growing, planting, maintaining, and designing with succulents. All are bestsellers from Timber Press, the leading publisher of garden books in the US. Order them by clicking below or wherever books are sold.

Designing with Succulents

The completely revised and updated edition of the book
that launched worldwide interest in succulents

THE book for growing succulents in southern and coastal CA from the Bay Area south, and anywhere the plants thrive in the ground year-round.

Illustrated with 400 gorgeous photos—basically a brand new book—the second edition includes the essentials of the first along with a decade’s worth of new and appealing ideas.

  • Laura Eubanks, landscape designer: "I recommend Designing with Succulents to all of my followers and colleagues. It's my go-to resource for inspiration and information. Everything you need to know about succulent design and care is covered. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional designer, your library is incomplete without this book."
  • Garden Design magazine: "A book every succulent lover needs.”
  • Gerhard Bock, Succulents and More:“Simply a joy to read.”
  • Phoenix Home & Garden magazine: “Everything to keep the succulent lover entertained and plenty of knowledge to help a new gardener become an expert.” 
  • Country Gardens by Better Homes & Gardens: "With more than 400 engaging, colorful photographs, this is a book for the seasoned succulent aficionado or the wannabe windowsill gardener.”

See more reviews

Succulents Simplified

Debra introduces you to 100 of the best succulents for gardens and containers, explains how to grow them, and gives step-by-step methods for using them in appealing, design-oriented projects.

This is a guide for novice enthusiasts, a quick reference for anyone seeking a good overview, a refresher course for succulent enthusiasts, and a resource of great design and gift ideas.

"Ms. Baldwin's step-by-step projects for crafters as well as numerous container and dish gardens give Succulents Simplified a wider appeal than a straight gardening book. It's the perfect starter volume for those new to succulents, while satisfying and delighting veterans with the variation and solid growing tips based on the author's evident joy in succulents and cacti." —New York Journal of Books

"I have found the book to be invaluable when I want to convert homeowners to succulents. I recommend the book to many clients as it helps them get better acquainted with the plants. Once they familiarize themselves with the plants they love them!" -- Glenn Frey, Black Mountain Landscape Design, San Diego

 

Succulent Container Gardens

Shows how anyone regardless of climate or space constraints can grow sculptural, low-water succulents in a wide variety of easy-care and beautiful potted gardens.

Named one of Amazon's top 10 gardening books for 2010 and recommended by the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Sunset Magazine, Phoenix Home and Garden and numerous other publications.

--- Best succulents for pots
--- Small-space solutions indoors and out
--- Smart, simple plant care techniques
--- 300+ colorful and creative ideas

"With gorgeous photos on nearly every page, Debra Lee Baldwin's Succulent Container Gardens celebrates these low-water, easy-care plants and shows endless ways to display them in your garden." —Sunset Magazine

A Commitment to Excellence

All my books are from Timber Press, the largest publisher of gardening books in the US. Timber's horticultural editors and fact-checkers are unparalleled in the industry. Books are extensively and painstakingly researched, written, designed and produced. Each takes a year to compile, photograph and write; and a year to edit, illustrate and publish.

Moreover, because accuracy and excellence are paramount to me (and obviously to readers as well), I had Brian Kemble check the manuscript of the second edition of Designing with Succulents. Brian is a renowned succulent horticulturist on staff at the Ruth Bancroft Garden and a respected member of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America. ~ Debra Lee Baldwin 

Designing with Succulents (original edition, 2007)

This is the book that revolutionized dry-climate gardening and launched worldwide interest in succulents. A completely revised and updated second edition came out in 2017 (see above). There is also a French edition of Designing With Succulents.

Ranked among Amazon's Top Ten Books of 2007 in the category Home & Garden.

  • Hundreds of plant recommendations from 50+ genera of the best succulents for residential landscapes.
  • 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants
  • 300 photos of exceptional public and private gardens.
  • The creativity of 22 landscapers and 30 homeowners.
  • Dozens of appealing ideas for container plantings.
  • Gardens that range from Mexico to British Columbia.

"Debra Lee Baldwin inspires us to look at succulents as living sculptures... Designing with Succulents is inspiring, practical, and complete—a treasure for any gardener who loves these otherworldly beauties." —Sunset Magazine

Sensational Succulents Coloring Book

Features 75 illustrations by renowned European artist Laura Serra inspired by my photographs (including many from my books). Sensational Succulents showcases an extensive array of succulents and emphasizes their melodic geometry and exquisite patterns. This beautifully illustrated book offers hours of restorative, creative fun and a fresh way to enjoy your favorite plants. Makes a great gift! View the photos the book’s illustrations are based on and download a sample page.

“What could be better inspiration for artists than the intricate rosettes and fractal-like patterns found in so many succulents?” — Genevieve Schmidt, North Coast Journal

More Information about Debra's Books

Signed book plate

Book Plates Make Signed Copies

A BOOK PLATE CREATES A VERY SPECIAL SIGNED COPY! Book plates are autographed and personalized, peel-and-stick labels that go inside a book’s cover. Mine have my publisher’s logo and my own artwork.   IN A NUTSHELL: Select and order book/s.  Join my “Celebrating the Joy of Succulents” newsletter community via the form on my Home page. Email…

What Reviewers Are Saying About “Designing with Succulents”

Reviews of Debra Lee Baldwin’s book “Designing with Succulents”, the completely revised and updated second edition.  Book reviewers are important. It’s not the author or a publicist telling you how good a book is, it’s editors, radio show hosts, columnists, industry pros and peers whose opinions are impartial and credible. Consequently, I’m very pleased and…