Grow and Know - Book Thoughts - Listen to the Land by Louise Agee Wrinkle

By Stacey Churchill, March 22, 2026

I feel as though I am always in a hurry and I definitely have fallen into the trap of wanting immediate results in everything I do.  Reading Louise Agee Wrinkle’s book, Listen to the Land: Creating a Southern Woodland Garden, caused me to slow down, take a breath and wallow - wallow in the breath-taking photographs of her family’s two-acre property in Birmingham, Alabama.

I had picked up the book because I am in the process of creating a native woodland in our backyard and I thought it would provide some inspiration.  And the photos were definitely inspirational.  But the book isn’t just photos, it is her story of decades of work on the property.  I had assumed I would be reading about the difficulty of sourcing the native plants that her land “asked” her for and then about the gradual changes that came to play upon her land.  Instead I learned other things - here are some highlights:

1. Harmony Over Pedigree

For Wrinkle "listening to the land" doesn't strictly mean a native-only mandate. Instead, she focuses on adaptability and harmony. If a plant thrives in the local conditions and fits the visual rhythm of her woodland without becoming a nuisance, it earns its place.  I admit that I struggled a bit with this. It felt at times like beauty over substance - why settle, when you can have both?

2. Finding Beauty in the "Bones"

Many gardeners dread winter, but Wrinkle sees it as the season of clarity. She writes with appreciation for the winter structure of trees and shrubs. Without the distraction of leaves and flowers, the "bones" of the garden—the architectural silhouettes, the texture of bark, and the intricate patterns of lichen—become the stars of the show.  This lesson definitely stuck with me as I did some pruning in February! 

3. The Art of Moving Slow

One of the most beautiful aspects of Wrinkle’s philosophy is her pace. She advocates for moving slowly and spending time just being in each part of the land before making changes. I want this to be me, but gosh, I am a long way from her meditative approach. I feel like this is a lesson I will spend my whole life learning.

4. The Joy of Sharing: The Giving Pot

A delightful and practical habit mentioned in her journey is keeping a collection of plants potted up and ready to give away. It’s a way to spread the garden to others. It turns the act of gardening into a generous, community-building conversation.  I could not love this idea more.

5. What’s Next?

Finally, Wrinkle touches on the concern many gardeners feel: What happens to the land when I leave it?  For someone who views my time digging and planting as stewardship rather than ownership, this rang so true. 

This was truly a beautiful book and definitely not what I was expecting.  I am happy to share it with any of you; an evening of just looking at the pictures will bring you peace.  Now I’m off to hunt for some plants to share, because that is one lesson I know I can implement!