3 comments about Victorian Pansies: Embroidery and Pastimes for the 21st Century.

1. A beautifully photographed book, more of a picture book than a 'how to'. I found that it was overly long in the project explanations pages, and sometimes they seemed too complicated to read right through. There are about 20 projects, nicely illustrated and all using the embroidery features found on the latest computerized machines, and the author's Pansy disc. Some supplies are hard to find in this country and no substitutes given for US readers. The book is written by an Australian artist. Overall I would say this is a pretty book for one's collection and an asset if one is charmed by the lovely flower, the Pansy.



2. For those of you who appreciate the Victorian style and own a home embroidery machine this is the book for you. The author gives several examples of what you can create with machine embroidery. In case you don't have an embroidery machine, you are not out of luck. Almost all of the projects can be constructed with a regular sewing machine, and some require no sewing at all. The machine embroidery merely enhances the item. She uses motifs from embroidery designs that she created (you can purchase the embroidery design disks), and gives you new and creative ideas on how to use them. The book comes with patterns that correspond to the written instructions. She also gives instructions in both in the front and the back of the book that has photographs and drawings. However, in some of her written instructions she doesn't include a description of the stitch being sewn (i.e. satin stitch with 2.5 width), she merely gives the number of the stitch on HER computerized sewing machine (i.e. stitch No. 60, width and length 6.0). By the way, she uses a Pfaff embroidery/sewing machine. Therefore, the book is not entirely universal when it comes to different brand sewing machines. However, you can look at the picture and match the stitch with your machine. The materials she uses ARE available in the U.S. (author is from Australia) or from her website. There is a listing of suppliers in the back of the book as well.



3. Anyone that loves and appreciates the quality of the best needlework of the Victorian era will be beautifully inspired by this gorgeous book that provides what its cover promises, the photography alone is good reason for its purchase. To turn each page is a pleasure, as gorgeous lace samples are used to frame the pages that are filled with delicate items to tickle the fancy of any romantic. To then have the addition of a printed sample included so that you can immediately try the techniques shown, is an added bonus.

   We see many lovely books filled with dreamy images of Victorian treasures that are far beyond our reach financially, but this book puts those items within our grasp by using the hand skills we have developed over the years. It is a commercial venture, of course, and promoting a particular brand of an embroidery machine since this is what the author uses and is familiar with. I was so inspired by the images that I immediately started searching for a location where I could see this machine. When I saw the price range of them, I immediately realized that the machines are currently out of my price range, fortunately, these techniques do not necessarily require an expensive machine at all if you are an accomplished hand-stitcher that admires quality and uses quality materials.

   Jenny Haskins is a very creative designer who is generous about sharing her talents with complete patterns and detailed instructions. I just purchased her next book, "Victorian Roses" which is just as beautifully presented. I highly recommend "Victorian Pansies" if to just inspire and offer the opportunity of allowing the book to lay open to view at almost any page which greatly contribute to the romatic look we desire in our homes and immerse us anew in the homely beauty of the old-fashioned pansy.

2 comments about Geraniums and Pelargoniums.

1. Both geraniums and pelargoniums belong to the family "Geraniaceae," of which there are 750 species (and thousands of cultivars) scattered over most of the world. Geraniums are the hardy plants that grow in the wild. Pelargoniums, however, are the plants most of us think of when we think "geranium" -- the colorful flowering houseplants on our windowsills and the lovely scented varieties growing in our kitchens.

   The book begins with the characteristics of geraniums. Often called "Cranesbills," geraniums are hardy perennials (zones 4-8) found in mountainous areas, meadows, marshes and near woodlands. Their flowers have five petals, are symmetrical and are relatively small; their foliage varies by shape and color. Size ranges from the taller Meadow and Dusky Cranesbills to the shorter Sanguineums and Wood Geraniums. They make superb ground cover plants with many types able to grow in full sun as well partial shade; they propagate by seed and can become invasive.

   Most pelargoniums, on the other hand, are from South Africa and have been cultivated since the 17th century, initially as garden flowers and later as house or conservatory plants. All pelargoniums have a recognizable scent, they have tiny hairs on their stems, their flowers are asymmetrical, they can be propagated by cuttings and most are not cold-hardy and will not survive winters above zone 9.

   While there is an abundance of information about geraniums in this book, the main emphasis is on the pelargoniums. There are a seven basic forms: Ivies (sprawling habit with ivy-shaped leaves); Scented types (which can either be upright or trailing); Zonals (named for the bands or "zones" of color on their leaves); Highfields (compact plants with lush flower clusters); Stellars, Startels and Cacti (with star-shaped petals); Regals (beautiful, showy plants with large flowers); and Butes (Single and Double Dwarfs, Miniatures, Micro-Miniatures, Angels and Deacons). Angels are miniatures with Regal-type flowers; Deacons are miniatures crossed with Ivies.

   Also included are very short chapters on cultivation, propagation, dealing with pests (although nothing about the mealy bugs that plagued my plants last summer) and treating diseases. A list of 175 species and cultivars is provided with Latin and common names along with a very complete index and a list of world-wide suppliers (with web.addresses!)

   This is definitely the book to buy if you want to know more about the various types of geraniums and pelargoniums but it is not a how-to book on cultivation nor is it an indepth guide to all geraniums and pelargoniums. It is beautifully illustrated, however, and I learned a great deal about these wonderful plants from reading this book. My favorite pelargoniums are the scented varieties and I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more information about them and only a short list of 19 different types (there are well over 200 varieties). I had never heard of the enchanting Rosebuds, Stellars and Deacons before reading this book, however, which more than made up for this.




2. For anyone wanting to learn more on Geraniums, Pelargoniums, or both, this book is for you. This is not a book for the beginner gardener, but logically grouped together for the advanced gardener or one on the way.
   John Feltwell has put together this book in order to help anyone who wants to choose, grow and design with these lovely plants. He gives in-depth descriptions of over 300 different types and has more than 250 colorful photos that add to the beauty of this book. You won't find step by step photos in this book, but plenty of others that show the how-to shots.
   Feltwell's book can be useful in discovering these wonderful plants all while creating your garden into a colorful display of fragrance and beauty

2 comments about Impatiens: The Vibrant World of Busy Lizzies, Balsams, and Touch-me-nots.

1. Probably the first of its kind available to the average reader (and not published in botanical journals), this fine work is a true treasure. While cultural comments are somewhat lacking (some of the Impatiens species seem to grow in cool mountain areas), the main portion of the book is a listing by geographical area of some of the more beautiful (and odd) species. A good addition to your horticultural library.



2. "Impatiens" is a good first try at a book on this popular group of plants. However, it's almost like two books. The first half of the book provides good information on culture and updates on breeding programs (though USA readers should note that the culture information is Brit-slanted). The second half divides the many Impatiens species discussed into geographic groups, and the introductions to each of these sections discuss species in the groups that are, or might be, of horticultural interest. However, the species descriptions that follow are in deadening botanese, and appear to have been derived from formal material published in the professional literature. It would have been better for this reviewer to have had garden-oriented descriptions. And why include such material on species that, as yet, do not have names? How is one to locate plants or seeds of these species even after they have been named? The color pictures are generally of high quality, and create a wish on the part of the reader to obtains some of these plants. Alas, the list of sources is very short and includes no specialist growers (perhaps they do not exist as yet). However, I would recommend the book to those building their garden libraries and who have an interest in going beyond the supermarket trays of walleri and New Guinea Impatiens.

1 comments about Sunflowers.

1. This was great for a nonfiction book. Great narrative with interesting history of the favored weed.

5 comments about The Mini Sunflower Garden (Mini Kit).

1. I bought this kit entirely because I thought it would be fun to have some sunflowers to brighten up my bedroom. I wasn't originally interested in the book part, but I did read it because I had it, and it was pretty useless. I planted the sunflowers in the provided "pot", and followed all the directions. I watered it regularly and sat it next to the window every day. All the sunflowers died anyways, before flowering. The kit comes with exactly four seeds, and all grew into little seedlings, and then died at about the time that their second set of leaves came out. I'm not sure why, but this kit was definitely a disappointment!



2. I agree with the prevous review. The same thing happened to me. I followed all the directions. If there were an option not to give it any stars I would have.



3. Even though the last two people think it's terrible, I think it was pretty good. I LOVE sunflowers and I have grown tons before. This was like my 30th sunflower. I did everything they asked me to, watered it when the soil was dry, cared for it well and my work paid off. The sunflowers grew, bloomed and thrived. The only thing wrong is the book. I think its too small and short.



4. This is a great kit. I was worried at first because the seeds were so small, but all four of them sprouted. The first one that sprouted died but that was my fault because I didn't give it enough sunshine. The book is really small and cute, with some good projects and some interesting history inside. The other three are doing very well, all of them sturdy and healthy. The only thing I recommend is to transplant them when they grow their second or third set of leaves. I recommend this kit to anyone, even people who claim to have 'no green thumb'. With a little tender care and love, a few minutes each day to take care of them, and plenty of sunshine, these little seeds will grow, grow, grow into little mini sunflowers!



5. I got this kit from a friend and I just planted the seeds two weeks ago. As a first time planter, I'm very excited! 3 out of the 4 seeds sprouted and are growing really fast. The only thing the book did wrong was that it didn't tell you that you have to transplant them into a bigger pot with real soil after they get to a certain size. I think that's why they died on a lot of customers. The flowers run out of room to grow and having nothing left to do but die. I just transplanted them today and while it was really hard to get them out of the little container, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll thrive and produce flowers. So if they add that to the book, then more people would have more luck with them. Otherwise, I think it's a great little kit! I'm having a lot of fun!

No comments about Annuals for Ohio (Annuals for . . .).

3 comments about Annuals for Michigan (Annuals for . . .).

1. This is an excellent book. Hundreds of color photos and growing related information for the Michigan gardner. The book is a convenient size with rounded edges. The Perennials for Michigan book is a well written book as well and a good compliment to this one.



2. I don't believe I've ever seen a gardening book where the information was as well-organized as it is in "Annuals for Michigan" and its companion volume, "Perennials for Michigan." Often books of regional interest are thrown together and published on the cheap, but these books are tightly-bound, full of color illustrations, and above all, well written. And they're really about Michigan climate and Michigan soils. Someone didn't just go through and change, say 'Iowa' to 'Michigan' with a word processor, then rename the book.
   
   According to the authors, Michigan ranks third nationwide in the production of annual plants, so we must have a pretty decent climate for growing them. I've only had a couple escape from their beds and attempt to take over the yard--the morning glory 'Grandpa Ott' and every kind of mallow I've ever tried--so don't be afraid to experiment. Our winters usually exterminate the overly bold.
   
   The book begins with a pictorial guide called "The Flowers at a Glance" where photographs of the annuals are listed in alphabetical order, by common name. There is a short introduction on trends in annuals and a map of the average last-frost dates for Michigan, so that you will know when to plant out depending on where you live.
   
   The next few sections explain how to start annuals, both by growing them from seed or by schlepping over to the nearest gardening center and buying them. There are chapters on caring for annuals, and the obligatory chapter on 'Problems & Pests' before we plunge into the heart of this book: the alphabetically-arranged sections on each of the 443 selected annuals.
   
   Each species is described, including height, spread, and flower color. Each has subsections on 'Planting' (how and when to start your plants), 'Growing,' 'Tips,' 'Recommended' varieties, and (usually) 'Problems and Pests.' There are over 400 color photographs, usually (but not always) labeled by variety, to help with your decisions on what to plant. There is also a very nice 'Quick Reference Chart' in back that lists the colors, sowing method, height, hardiness, light and soil requirements for each species.
   
   There is even a short list of companies and their websites where you can purchase seed, although a couple of my favorites aren't mentioned, i.e. Thompson and Morgan, and Park Seed.
   
   Annuals are so much fun. If you hate the color combinations you tried one year, you can start all over again the following spring. Sometimes if you're lucky, a favorite annual like Love-in-a-Mist will reseed itself and return even more beautifully the following season. Of course, that could also happen with pests like Grandpa Ott--we finally had to concede defeat after five years of weeding purple morning glories out of the vegetable beds. We sold our house to someone who hopefully loves this old vine.



3. This book (and series) is WONDERFUL! Super easy to use for a first time gardener. I still use the books weekly for reference. What makes this book special is it is easy to read and all the information is tailored to our Michigan weather. The books contain flowers alphabetically and all the basic care information. Think of the little tags that come staked in the flowers but you end up losing - all organized together in an easy care manual!

1 comments about Annuals for Washington and Oregon.

1. I found this book very useful. I especially enjoyed the rear section that graphically showed the comparision between each plant. Plenty of photos and more specific than other books. Highy recomended

No comments about Bulbs in the Basement, Geraniums on the Windowsill.

No comments about Annuals & Biennials (DK Garden Guides).