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American
Horticultural Society
The American Gardener
March/April 2001
Recommended Garden Books
Because the AHS Horticultural
Book Service was discontinued as of June 30, 2000 no further phone or
mail orders will be filled. However, AHS members will still be able to
order books at a discount by linking to Amazon.com through the Society's
Web site. Through this partnership with Amazon.com, AHS members can
receive better discounts on most titles, faster delivery, greater
inventory, and improved access to hard-to-find books. The books listed
here have not been critically evaluated; they have been chosen for
description based on unusual subject matter or substantive content.
The following
books are our current recommended garden books from the March/April 2001
issue of The American Gardener. To
read the review just click on the book title. You can then order the
book directly from Amazon.com by clicking on "Buy this book!"
that follows each review.
Books in the
Spotlight
Gardener's
Books
Books in the
Spotlight
Making More
Plants: The Science, Art and Joy of Propagation.
Ken Druse. Clarkson Potter Publishers, New York, New York, 2000. 256
pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $36. Buy
this Book
Most of us know Ken Druse's earlier books by their stunning photography
and down-home style. They are large-format, coffee-table books, which
never fail to capture attention. Druse has done it again with his new
book on plant propagation; it is a beautifully photographed book-a
delight to the eye. The subject, however, is a departure from his
earlier efforts. This book is really a how-to book disguised as a
coffee-table tome.
In 1996, Druse purchased a
country property and made plans to expand his gardening beyond what was
possible in the yard of his Brooklyn townhouse. He decided to increase
his stock of plants by propagation rather than spending a fortune at the
nursery, and his efforts with both the scientific and practical aspects
of propagation were the inspiration for this book. We are fortunate he
chose to share his knowledge with us, as well as his photography.
Druse provides a wealth of
information in 13 chapters, a plant propagation guide to 700 genera, a
common name cross-reference, a list of resources, a glossary, a
bibliography, and an index. Druse indicates that propagation is
different for everyone and must be practiced on a personal level: A
gardener can choose from among at least 12 basic propagation methods,
and with the information provided, time them correctly for success. Some
unusual techniques, probably trade secrets, including basketing,
gouging, chipping, and scooping-you'll have to look them up-are
revealed. A gardener cannot read this book without feeling inspired to
try something in it.
The book is doubly compelling
because of the photography. Every method is illustrated with a series of
photographs, all carefully identified so you're not left wondering what
the photos are about. Druse's own hands are in many of them,
photographed by the author with a "non-mechanical cable shutter
release," according to the photography notes.
You must also read the text,
however, because Druse explains the mysteries of seeds, cuttings, roots,
leaves, layering, grafting, division, vegetative reproduction, and
propagation of bulbous plants in easy-to-read prose. In fact, his
description of propagation techniques sometimes makes it sound so easy,
my only concern is that some readers might feel inspired with false
confidence about propagation. But Druse enthusiastically reminds us that
if you don't try, you won't succeed, and that some failures are par for
the course. Many of his propagation efforts are actually experiments to
determine what works. He describes dividing up propagules into lots and
providing them with varying treatments to see what works best. All of us
would like to do this, but few of us take the time.
The price is right for this
large, impressive book, especially when you realize it includes far more
than pictures. If you're looking for a manual on propagation illustrated
with inspirational photography, this is the book for you. -Jim
Bennett
An environmental botanist in the Institute for Environmental Studies at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim Bennett is also president of
the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association.
The Natural History of Medicinal Plants. Judith
Sumner. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2000. 252 pages. Publisher's
price, hardcover: $19.96. Buy
this Book
According to the Doctrine of Signatures, which was practiced during the
Middle Ages, the physical appearance of a plant was thought to indicate
its medicinal use. A number of daisies with bright yellow centers,
commonly called eyebrights, were recommended to cure impaired vision.
Those that were liver-shaped, like the liverwort, were suggested for
liver disease. And the long, black, satiny stem of the maidenhair fern
was recommended to promote healthy hair. The Doctrine seems fantastic
today in the light of modern scientific discoveries, but there is still
much folklore and a bit of mysticism surrounding the use of medicinal
plants. Judith Sumner's new book, The Natural History of Medicinal
Plants, demystifies as well as summarizes the current state of knowledge
on this sometimes confusing and controversial topic.
The author reports that in
1994, Congress passed the Dietary Health and Education Act allowing any
substance found naturally in foods to be sold as a dietary supplement.
The passage of this act signaled the beginning of the recent herbal
medicine trend and the onslaught of commercially available herbal
products. Although many herbal supplements have made their way into the
average household medicine cabinet, most of us are still in the dark
regarding the origin, history, and science of herbal plants. Sumner uses
30 color plates, numerous illustrations, layman's language, relevant
explanations, and little-known, entertaining accounts to simplify the
subject for the average reader.
Sumner's experience as a botany
teacher at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is clearly
apparent as she elucidates a broad array of topics ranging from
zoopharmacognosy-or the recognition and use of medicinal plants by
animals-to the chemistry of alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenes. In
addition, there are chapters on the history of medical botany,
plant-insect-animal interactions, the discovery of plants as toxins and
as cures, and the preservation of biodiversity. Although these are often
very heady and not necessarily related topics, the author weaves them
together neatly and effortlessly.
What I like best about this
book is the stories it tells. Most of what man knows about the use-and
misuse-of medicinal plants has been handed down from one generation to
another. In many primitive cultures, the guardianship of this folklore
is the task of very specific essential individuals. The author continues
the tradition by using stories to pass on knowledge. Sumner tells us
about Achilles using yarrow to stop the flow of blood from battle
wounds, Pre-Columbian Indians chewing coca leaves for their euphoric
effects, and 19th-century Shakers using mayflower as a cure for kidney
stones.
The Natural History of
Medicinal Plants makes a wonderful read because, although written by a
college teacher, it does not read like a weighty textbook. Moreover,
this timely tome is not a handbook or guide to the use of medicinal
herbs; the author does not bore us with the details on which herb to use
for a particular ailment, nor does she suggest any dosages. Rather,
Sumner focuses on the story of man's-and other animals'-long and almost
forgotten relationship with medicinal plants. -Barbara S. Arter
Free-lance science editor and writer Barbara S. Arter teaches biology
and botany at the University of Maine at Augusta.
The Gardener's Table. Richard Merrill and Joe
Ortiz. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, California, 2000. 468 pages.
Publisher's price, softcover: $19.96. Buy
this Book
I discovered the world of vegetable gardening shortly after I discovered
the world of cooking, and my interest in the
two subjects grew in tandem. So I take particular delight in a book such
as The Gardener's Table, which makes an impressive and largely
successful attempt to integrate these two closely related subjects in a
single book.
Merrill and Ortiz's book has an
unusual organization, alternating between discussions of gardening
principles and cooking techniques. Overall, this structure works
surprisingly well, as in the enlightening comparison between compost and
soup in the chapter "Nourishing the Soil & Body."
Occasionally, however, the connection seems forced or overly cute, as in
the chapter "Controlling Garden Pests & Feeding Kitchen
Guests."
Much of the book is dedicated
to developing a thorough understanding of the processes that make things
work in the garden and in the kitchen. For example, the section on
compost not only discusses how to keep your compost pile in an aerobic
state, it provides an in-depth exploration of the nine principles of
successful composting. Some of the sidebars and color plates provide
direct "how-to" in a very basic format, others cover rather
involved supplemental concepts, such as a short treatise on the four
modes of decay-humification, putrefication, peat decay, and dry decay-in
the compost chapter.
Couched within the discussions
of gardening and kitchen basics are some jewels of advanced information.
I particularly appreciated the details about
custom-blending your own organic fertilizers. Such clear instructions
for adapting materials and practices to our individual needs are
invaluable.
In the kitchen, the discussion of infusing pastas opened up a whole new
world of culinary experimentation in our household. The combination of
general and specific instructions gave us sufficient confidence to
investigate further variations on this theme.
The specific growing
instructions for each crop are exhaustive and informative and are
grouped into logical categories such as edible plant parts and botanical
family. Unfortunately, the recipes for each crop are located in a
separate section. The appendices are as thorough as the growing
instructions, including descriptions of each of the seed and supply
companies referenced.
I wish I had had this book when
I began my culinary and horticultural adventuring 11 years ago. At the
outset, I acquired numerous cookbooks and gardening guides that provided
ample information on the correct spacing for tomatoes and recipes for
using them, but few that provided a real understanding of the processes
involved. Acquiring a thorough understanding of what is going on in the
field and in the skillet has taken a considerable amount of time and
more than a few blunders. As a professional vegetable grower, I found
this book both entertaining and enlightening. -Chris Blanchard
Chris Blanchard and his wife, Kim, raise and cook organic vegetables at
Rock Spring Farm near Highlandville, Iowa.
Gardener's Books
There are many more new books on the market than we have time or space
to review, but here are a few that recently caught our eye. Through a
partnership with amazon.com, AHS members can order these and other books
at a discount by linking to amazon.com.
Taylor's Guide to Shrubs. Kathleen Fisher.
Houghton Mifflin, New York, New York, 2000. 441 pages. Publisher's
price, softcover: $23. Buy
this Book
Taylor's
Guide to Perennials. Barbara Ellis. Houghton Mifflin, New York, New
York, 2000. 490 pages. Publisher's price, softcover: $18.40.
Buy
this Book
From two former American Horticultural Society editors come two
easy-to-use references on shrubs and perennials. Each provides chapters
on selection and care of plants as well as a photo gallery and an
extensive encyclopedia of plants that includes many new cultivars.
Shrubs also covers landscaping and pruning techniques. Perennials offers
solutions to dealing with insects and other pests as well as a
discussion of propagation methods. Each book includes a thorough index.
The Garden
Floor: From Gravel Gardens to Camomile Lawns. Nigel
Colborn. Trafalgar Square Publishing, North Pomfret, Vermont, 2000. 127
pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $23.96. Buy
this Book
This book offers inspiring photographs and step-by-step illustrations
for a dozen design projects for the "floor" of your garden.
Projects include an alpine scree bed, an Oriental-style moss garden, a
deck garden, and a thyme-and-camomile lawn. An extensive chapter on
design helps you select the project best suited to your landscape and
style. Maintenance of both plants and hardscaping materials is covered.
The Garden
Tourist. Lois G. Rosenfeld. The Garden Tourist Press,
Ridgewood, New Jersey, 2000. Five regional editions, 104 pages each.
Publisher's price, softcover: $12.95 each. Buy
this Book
The 2001 edition of this series of guides to gardens and garden events
is divided by region: Northeast,
Southeast,
Midwest,
Southwest
and Rockies, and West.
Gardens are listed by state-with a description, address, phone number,
and Web site-as well as by events by state, city, and date, including
contact information.
A Man's
Garden. Warren Schultz. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston,
Massachusetts, 2001. 160 pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $32. Buy
this Book
What makes a man's garden unique? Warren Schultz offers answers in this
colorfully written book that profiles 15 male gardeners from across
North America. Ranging from ordered vegetable plots and expansive
borders to a wildly fanciful cottage garden that includes a bathtub
shrine, the gardens represent widely differing styles that reflect the
personalities and preferences of their creators and caretakers. The
easy-to-read prose and abundant photographs make this an ideal gift for
any man who considers the garden his personal paradise.
 The
Berry Growing Companion. Barbara L. Bowling. Timber Press, Portland,
Oregon, 2000. 308 pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $23.96. Buy
this Book
This book covers strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries,
cranberries and more-small fruit that can produce bountiful harvests as
well as significant ornamental interest to your garden. Bowling presents
information on the history, biology, site and growth requirements,
harvesting, and potential pest and disease problems for each crop.
Recommended cultivars for each region are included. Additionally, each
chapter contains a section "Niches in the Landscape," where
Bowling offers useful suggestions for incorporating these fruitful
plants into the landscape.
Natural
Disease Control. Beth Hanson, guest editor. Brooklyn Botanic
Garden, Inc. Brooklyn, New York, 2000. 111 pages. Publisher's price,
softcover: $8.95. Buy
this Book
Part of the 21st-Century Gardening Series, this full-color handbook
covers all the basics of disease prevention and control. It includes
charts to help diagnose plant problems, an illustrated encyclopedia of
plant diseases, and a chapter on making your own least-toxic remedies.
The Herbal
Epicure. Carole Ottesen. Ballantine Wellspring, New York, New
York, 2001. 264 pages. Publisher's price, softcover: $12.80. Buy
this Book
Subtitled "Growing, Harvesting, and Cooking Healing Herbs,"
this book covers in alphabetical order a gamut of vegetables, fruits,
and herbs. Innovative recipes from organic chefs from across the country
provide abundant ideas for their culinary use. Ottesen also includes
botanical facts and healing traditions associated with each plant.
Plant This!
Ketzel Levine, illustrated by René Eisenbart. Sasquatch Books,
Seattle, Washington, 2000. 216 pages. Publisher's price, softcover:
$17.56. Buy
this Book
These essays by NPR's "Doyenne of Dirt" were drawn from
Levine's popular column in The Oregonian. The book includes
"stories" of her favorite plants organized by season-lively
advice on growing them, along with gardening-world gossip, Latin roots,
and plant lore. Each plant is accompanied by a watercolor illustration
by Rene Eisenbart.
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