Debra Lee Baldwin

Debra Lee Baldwin is an award-winning writer/editor based in Southern California. During her 20-year career, she has written two books and more than 1,000 feature articles and columns. A renowned expert on succulents and drought-resistant landscape design, her latest book has become a gardening phenomenon and remains on the bestseller list. In addition to being a popular lecturer and speaker, Debra writes about architecture, homes, gardens and interior design, and people who have made significant contributions to our culture.

Debra recently won an award from the Garden Writers Association of America for her article, "Did Succulents Save Her Home?" about how the garden on the cover of her book saved the house from burning, during the 2007 wildfires. Read the article to learn more about firewise landscaping, using succulents.

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Debra's latest book, Designing with Succulents, can be ordered from publisher Timber Press or Amazon.com. Hardcover, 256 pages, 300 photos, list price $29.95.

The book offers:

--- Hundreds of plant recommendations from more than 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 professional landscapers and 30 innovative
homeowners.

--- Dozens of appealing ideas for container plantings.

--- Gardens that range from Mexico to British Columbia, and
Southern California to upstate New York.

"Debra Lee Baldwin inspires us to look at succulents as living sculptures whose myriad shapes and colors create striking effects. Many people know about succulents, but using them well in the landscape is another matter. Designing with Succulents shows us how; it’s inspiring, practical, and complete—a treasure for any gardener who loves these otherworldly beauties."
—Kathleen N. Brenzel, Senior Garden Editor, Sunset Magazine

Read more reviews of Designing with Succulents.

Companion CD:

Designing with Succulents Plant Palette, $20.

This companion CD to Debra's book provides 230 photos of the best succulents for residential landscapes (60 genera, 184 species). Photos are different from those in the book, and show various aspects of the plants—such as in bloom or close-up. Not only is the Plant Palette CD a handy guide to selection and identification, it's a must-have for anyone who appreciates the aesthetics of succulents. Each photo is a work of art in itself, chosen to show the plant's exquisite architecture. Print and frame these images, install them as your screen saver or wallpaper, and use them to inspire your own artwork.

To order the CD via Paypal, click the button. For non-Paypal transactions or international orders, email Debra.

Debra has freelanced regularly for Sunset magazine since 1994. She also writes for Coastal Living, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles, the San Diego Union-Tribune, Women's Day, Better Homes & Gardens and BH&G Special Interest Publications (Garden, Deck & Landscape, Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living, Flower Gardening, Country Gardens, Garden Shed, Perennials and Landscape Solutions).

She has won awards from the Garden Writers Association of America, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the San Diego Press Club. Categories include Best Consumer Writing, Design and Architecture, Education, and Science and Environment.

Read excerpts from Debra Lee Baldwin's award-winning articles.

Debra does speaking engagements, radio interviews and has appeared on national television (A&E). Click here for a list of Debra's upcoming public appearances, presentations and book signings.

   "Made in San Diego," a series that Debra writes for the San Diego Union-
   Tribune Sunday Homescape section, appears several times a year. It
   features creative, cutting-edge artists and craftspeople.

View past articles.

Her own garden has been featured in Sunset magazine, Better Homes &
Gardens and San Diego Home/Garden magazine.

Visit Debra's garden.

Debra works with clients to prepare press releases, books, brochures, and website copy (for example: www.andersonwoodworksinc.com).

For Taco Bell's corporate communications department, Debra researched and wrote the inspirational biography of the company's founder: Taco Titan: The Glen Bell Story (Summit Publishing, 1999). Debra expedited the book from initial proposal through editing, production and publicity. In doing so, she worked closely with New York literary agent Jim Cypher.

Debra collaborated on Sunset's California Top 10 Garden Guide.

As a "succulent consultant" to Sunset Books, she reviewed descriptions
of more than 30 genera during the editing and updating of the 2007 edition
of the Sunset Western Garden Book.

Watercolors and more - view Debra's "Succulent Series."

Debra was born and raised in San Diego County, attended United States International University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA degree in English literature. She is a member of the San Diego Press Club, the San Diego Horticultural Society, the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society, the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, and the Garden Writers Association.

Portrait of Debra (top left) is by Mary Beiler.

If you'd like more information or have a project you'd like to discuss,
please e-mail Sunwriter7@cox.net.

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