5 comments about Tasha Tudor's Garden.

1. I purchased this book years ago... at a bookstore and paid the full price. Had I known about Amazon.com....I could have saved money. Then I could have more books! I strongly recommend this book for all gardeners to add to their home library. Enjoy!



2. I have loved Tasha Tudor's illustrations in books like "The Tasha Tudor Book of Fairy Tales", "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess" since childhood. I didn't know anything about Tasha Tudor as a person, and then one Christmas my mother gave me this book. Wow! Mrs. Tudor has lived a remarkable life and she is an amazing person. She has chosen to create a home for herself that seems to exist in a century past. Her son built a rustic house for her, and she has surrounded it with extensive farm buildings, cottage gardens, fruits, berries, chickens, goats and dogs. She dresses in layers of vintage clothing and eats off of china that has been in her family for generations. I just love this woman, and her lifestyle. This is a beautiful book.



3. This is a wonderful book featuring the garden of children's book author and illustrator Tasha Tudor. Not a gardening how-to book but rather a photographic tour of the garden. It does show that a garden can be at its most charming when not rigidly landscaped but grown in a more naturalistic way. A must for all Tasha Tudor fans bookshelves.



4. I received this book several years ago as a birthday gift. It has beautiful pictures of Tasha Tudor's garden and flowers. I bought it this year for my friends 60th birthday gift. She loves it!



5. Tasha Tudor could grow anything, and this book shows her beautiful garden, really cozy. The photography is excellent. She could grow Peonies & Foxgloves, which I would love to grow in the heat of So. Calif. and can't. Her garden is informal, and what I imagine Eden might have been like. Her garden will be a memorial to her life and work as she passed away at 92 just recently. I highly recommend this if you love gardens and flowers.

5 comments about The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides).

1. This book has great pictures and covers any type of flower you can dream up in it's 700 or so pages. The book is broken up into sections (i.e. Shrubs, tulips, etc.). A great value here too, it costs $60 in any other book store. The book also tells you what seasons each type of flower grows in.



2. Pair this book with The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and you will have the most comprehensive gardening guides you will ever need! The reviews suggested buying the books together and I'm glad I took the advice.
   The books are HUGE! I wasn't prepared for the sheer weight of them but they are beautiful as well as informative.



3. My kids and I use this as part of their homeschool education. It has wonderful pictures and TONS of information!



4. Great for anygardener and it is a useful reference for people trying to figure out what to plant and where to plant it. Great book would highly recommend to any one.



5. VERY thorough but the vast majority listed do not include the common name, not even in a crossref table/index, which makes it too tough to discuss with family, friends, neighbors. I had to return the book.

5 comments about Inspirations.

1. Excellent book for planning a lavish event. I would also recommend two other books by Preston Bailey. Check out Amazon for more info or go directly to his website and there will be a link to Amazon to purchase these items.



2. I'm an Interior Designer and this is a practical guide for clients visually. I'm not for copying works but inspiration to what we can do of endless possibilities.



3. I bought this book so I can find ideas for my wedding decoration, it has great and beautiful pictures, but obviously it's impossible to try to imitate Preston Bailey's ideas. I do recommend this book. You can use it afterwards for a coffee table book.



4. Although I think this book is well done, I much preferred his other books.



5. Garish and over the top almost to the point of vulgarity. Not my taste I prefer cleaner lines and less ostentatiousness.

5 comments about Wedding Bouquets: Over 300 Designs for Every Bride.

1. As a professional special event florist who specializes in weddings, this is another book I keep in my consultation room for brides to browse and reference. I'm partial to design books that contain a lot of photos so this one earns high marks from me, but the drawbacks are it's size (small, which means the photos are also small) and that it's a paperback so it doesn't hold up to wear and repeat usage like a hardbound book. Most of the designs are current and contemporary, which is nice after seeing so many outdated wedding design books from the 80's and 90's still on bookstore shelves, but some of the designs lack "that certain something" that make the bouquets really stand out and personalized to the bride. As a designer I'm never super excited about anything cookie-cutter (see cover photo as an example) because it can easily become a crutch for clients who aren't confident making floral selections and also a crutch for florists who don't want to spend the quality time needed for a proper consultation. However, if used as an initial reference for size, shape, and to build designs from, the book will certainly provide that and a bit more. Based on what I've observed from brides browsing and using this book during consultations at my location, easy-to-please brides usually find a few styles in the book that they like, but fussier brides browse through the book quickly (rarely stopping on any one style) and move on to other books. It is a nice little book for the price though -- quality photography and an overall good value.



2. I love this little book! I am a Wedding & Event Florist and I use this book when I consult with clients. It's packed with great bouquet examples, beautiful crisp pictures, and it gives my clients the chance to observe colors in flower combinations that they never would have originally put together!



3. Each section of this book is categorized by colors, starting with white, ivory and cream, then yellow, then peach and orange, then red, then pink, then lilac and purple, and finally mixed and unusual. I knew my colors right off the bat but I still was inspired by every page. It's only real flaw is it's size, which once you get it and look through it, doesn't create that much of an issue. Not only does it give you flower ideas but also a variety of ways to create a handle and tie the bouquet. A good book for a bride who is doing all the arranging, like I am, or just brainstorming ideas with her florist.



4. This book has such wonderful colored pictures and each picture is close up so you can see all the beautiful details... This is a must have for anyone having a wedding or even a florist to let their bride look through for ideas...



5. A good building block for the bride and florist to get ideas of colour schemes and styles the bride might like. I took my copy into to Tafe(Technical and Further Education) and ended up ordering another three copys for fellow students.

5 comments about Perennial All-Stars: The 150 Best Perennials for Great-Looking, Trouble-Free Gardens.

1. Great for the beginner gardener, it's easy to understand and gives a lot of information on planning your perrennial gardens to look great from early spring right into the fall.



2. Keep this book on your counter all spring and summer long - you'll find lots of reasons to refer to it.



3. My wife wore out her 1st copy and the yard looks great.



4. I am really enjoying this book. It has given me a lot of good ideas for my garden this summer. I already have some of the flowers it lists, and I agree they are winners. An excellent book for beginning and experienced gardeners looking for new flowers for their yard.



5. This is a well organized and colorful book that is good for the first time gardener as well as the seasoned veteran. Attractive pictures pull the reader into the page, then concise, helpful information is readily available.

5 comments about Country French Florals & Interiors (Home Reference).

1. Not as great as I thought - a bit disappointing - decor a bit stuffy and
   outdated.



2. I can't get enough of Charles Faudree......I have his other two books & this one is a wonderful addition to the continuing process of his being ahead of the curve.
   
   I travel often & his decor accents are all globally purchased...has to be since I only see them in the exotic countries I travel to. I am impressed that he decorated a gorgeous Spanish Mansion & wish I could afford to hire him for my plantation.
   
   Happy Reading & Be Inspired!



3. Another wonderful book by Charles his taste is a inspiration to home owners. I was very pleased to see that he kept the wonderful Tole Figures in his own home, that he purchased from me. Ted



4. I have been a Charles Faudree fan for years and eagerly awaited the publication of his first book, then second and now third. Every time I go to Tulsa, I make it a point to go to his shop and try to absorb some of the class and style that is such an inherent part of his design philosophy...and I have managed to purchase a bauble or two to add to my own decor. This trip we were fortunate enough to meet Toni Garner at her shop. She's friendly, helpful and her shop smelled like heaven. She was in the midst of a move to a new location and was obviously trying to get a very large order out the door, but she graciously took time to chat about the book with us.
   
   The interiors shown in this book probably don't show us much new about French Country design, but the main theme of this book isn't necessarily the interior design, but it serves as a showcase in the use of incredibly beautiful flowers to enhance the overall beauty of these rooms. If a book makes me yearn to step through the pages and take up residence in the houses it chronicles, then it's a winner for me.



5. I bought this book expecting so much more and I was very disappointed. The pictures are lovely but I've seen them before and the text is nothing new. This is a book formed out of all the stuff that was on the cuttingroom floor from the last books. Save your money and buy gas for your car.

5 comments about Fabulous Parties: Food and Flowers for Elegant Entertaining.

1. I dont get to buy many Party Books, but this one caught my eye immediately so I "went for it". Oh, I was so NOT disappointed. It is so, so beautiful. I am going to buy a couple more for my friends who love parties and flowers. I am also going to do some of those recipes which I feel will be great hits. While I might aspire to some of those fabulous flower arrangements, if I can't do them, that's okay.....the spirit is there and I am excited by the ideas. In short, it's a beautiful, helpful book.....I love it....and that luscious cover even makes my coffee table look very oooh la la.!!!! Thanks Peggy, Richard, Mark....whoever you are! signed sylvia dunbeck ps...can you do my next party for me???????



2. This book is so innovative! Not only is it beautiful to look at and interesting to read, the idea of combining recipes with decorative arrangements is a practical idea. It gave me so many ideas for party themes that I want to start scheduling events right now. A must buy for the entertainer and it's a great gift, too.



3. I received Fabulous Parties as a gift, and can't put it down. There are so many wonderful ideas! The pictures are pretty enough to frame, and having so many recipes is a bonus! I'm teaching my grand daughter to cook and bake, and want to share it with her. Wonderful book!
   
   Fabulous Parties: Food and Flowers for Elegant Entertaining



4. So many people ask me why I don't use several different vendors. Here is the reason why...Just look through this book! Mark and Richard have spoiled me and my clients with the most beautiful, chic, creative flowers and decor possible. Peggy's menu's are always unique, presented with love and style and honestly beyond delicious (is that possible?). Together with the flowers and food my events are a hit!!! They put up with my crazy ideas and are willing to try every and anything they can so our clients and guests leave with memories that will last a lifetime. We have worked together for several years and I owe much of my success to them...Buy the book and get to experience what I do every weekend. Mindy Weiss



5. I took a look at this book and it took me back to the overindulgences of the early eighties.
   
   A few fresh ideas are buried in here among recipes for a baked potato bar(uh....bowls of toppings with a baked potato), a cobb salad bar (you can see where this is heading), a candy bar (yes, assorted candy), a dessert coffee bar, caviar bar, tostada bar, another salad bar, and (yes- one more...) a cupcake bar.
   
   The photos and style have that dated feeling of a Time-Life book series on entertaining.
   
   Just not my style I guess.
   
   This should appeal to the elderly or pretentious set.

5 comments about Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start (Rodale Garden Book).

1. This is a wonderful guide to planning and developing a perennial garden. The author gives examples for numerous planting condition,such as shade, sand, clay. I can't wait for spring!



2. Although I have a plethora of gardening books, this one stands out as one of my favorites. It shows a picture example on every page. It has planting diagrams (garden plans) so you can duplicate what you see and it gives a lot of information about the plants. It's the best of both worlds - you can use the information and get creative, or follow the plans and duplicate what you see. Either way, you'll have a great garden!
   Although I've been gardening for a good many years, it's nice to have a reference as to how things will look together, instead of my usual "plant it here and hope for the best" approach! I'm tired of moving my plants every year.
   I bought my book over the winter and it's a great "dream" book. Now I can't wait till I can get out there and put it all to good use!



3. This book was (is) a big disappointment, containing as it does nothing new regarding perennnial combining that isn't covered in at least a dozen or more recent and more interesting books, not to mention the classics. This is perennial combining 202 with no spark of imagination in the pairings that can make a garden jump for joy. The photography is so ordinary and the color is extremly garish. Is that due to the Digital Imaging Specialists Dale Mack and Jane Ramsey or what? I can find no photographic credits (except for the cover) which is probably just as well. Obviously in a book this size (351 pages), from someone who is as accomplished as Mr. Burrell, there is useful information to be gleaned but I already have books that serve that purpose. If I had seen this in a book store, having thumbed through it for a few moments, I would never have bought it. However, if you are just beginning your library of perennial books this one may be useful to you.



4. One of the drawbacks of buying gardening books online is that you can't see the photos. If I had thumbed through this book I don't think I would have purchased it. Not that it doesn't have a lot of good information and ideas. It's just that the photos are, for the most part, awful. The color is garish and over-saturated and the images actually look blurry. Also, many of the plant combo photos are very close up, which doesn't help when you are trying to figure out how to place your perennials when planting. For me, a good gardening book has to not only give useful information and how-tos (which this book does for the most part), but it has to inspire with lovely photos! And that is where this book fails.



5. Being pretty new to perennials but having read many books I was having sort of a writers block when it came to WHAT to put in my new garden.
   
   I knew all about HOW but with so many choices I was overwhelmed!
   
   This book has a good number of templates to give you a jump start and many outstanding photos of combinations of flowers that work together. In fact this has some of the best photos I have ever seen in a garden book.
   
   It also covers difficult situations like what works in Heavy Clay and wet sites an so forth.
   
   My plan was a butterfly garden and they had the perfect template for a 12x8 garden.
   
   Excellent book for beginners or people that are looking for new combinations!! My fav book so far. (out of the 30 I have looked at).

5 comments about Second Nature: A Gardener's Education.

1. I picked up this book when I didn't have my own dirt to get my hands into, and I was hoping to garden vicariously through Pollan's essays.
   
   There are a lot of lessons to be found. For instance, the chapter on roses explains how human intervention and selective breeding brought about a huge difference between the technicolor tear-dropped buds we see for sale at the grocery store and the rounder and simpler flowers that Shakespeare and his contemporaries wrote about.
   
   Throughout the book Pollan makes the case for uniting culture and nature in the garden rather than pitting them against each other as Thoreau (the naturist) did in his writings or suburban landscaping (very culture-centered) implies today. It is an interesting argument worth considering, but by the fourth part when I found it repeated for the umpteenth time without anything new to add I quit reading the book.



2. Pollans description of what is a green thumb and the sysiphean art of mowing reminded me how therapeutic gardening can be and why it cures depression. Thank you Michael for making me look at my roses in a totally different way. You will love this book if you tend to think in pictures and love the art and hard work of gardening.



3. I loved this book. It is written in the spirit of earth that author obviously is in love with. The book is divided into four seasons: spring summer,fall and winter. Each of the seasons has it's own unique characteristic that follows ancient tradition of preparing soil, sowing,cultivating, weeding, harvesting and winter nothingness.
   However if reader looks for practical advises, he or she will not find it here. It is a wonderfull read for all the nature lovers.



4. Michael Pollan's writing is full of metaphors. This book about nature as a human construct was enjoyable to read. I found some parts frustrating because I like the romantic idea of nature even if it is just a human construct. But overall I would recommend this book for a quick read.



5. That's not entirely fair, but...this is a book of essays, not a natural history or gardening book. It is about Pollan's perceptions of nature and landscape, through the gateway of his garden. He does only enough research to flesh out his musings with historical fact and literary reference - and he is very selective. He leans heavily on Thoreau, and neglects wider scholarship. His essays bog down in pedantic and turgid language (he abuses at least one 5-syllable word per essay). The writing is much like Bill Bryson's, about whom, I'm also kinda lukewarm. I didn't love it, although there are good bits - the story of his first rose plantings was interesting, and inspired me to drop a few snobby old roses in the sod.

5 comments about The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques.

1. Again, I found out about this excellent book while working at the state horticulture hotline...while our jobs were to answer all plant related questions in the tri-state area, we were housed in a horticulture library and I can tell you this book was in such demand! All of us used it constantly as it is well written, nice pix and provide good detail. This book (along with Dirr's exceptional guide to plants) are the two top books for garden lovers. It is worth the money and as soon as I left the agency, I got a copy for myself.



2. 
   I was looking for a book to give me some practical insight into setting up and managing a perennial garden and I think I found the book. Seven chapters are devoted to designing, bed preparation, planting, pests, diseases, staking and division issues. I wish I had this book before starting my garden; the bed preparation chapter would have saved me a lot of effort in planting. Five more chapters are devoted to pruning, deadheading, cutting back, pinching, thinning, dead-leafing, and winter/spring preparation. The book contains many pictures and diagrams to accompany the instruction provided.
   
   I found the encyclopedia section to be very helpful in giving specifics for individual plants, and it contained pictures of the plants discussed. The listing of plants is in alphabetical order by genus/species with the common name listed beneath. This is good; however, for someone accustomed to using common names, it would have been helpful to have an appendix with a cross reference to common names. I generally don't memorize genus or species names for most plants.
   
   The book also contains three helpful appendixes on grasses, maintenance and pruning requirements. I found the glossary helpful to me (not being a plant expert) when it was necessary to look up terminology used in the text.
   
   Overall, I found this book to be very helpful on the subject of perennial gardening.



3. i ordered this book after we moved to a new home and were faced with the monstrous task of identifying (and subsequently managing) the numerous perennials in unkempt beds around the property. this book is filled with useful information about pruning, thinning and transplanting, and has a wonderful picture index at the back. this book does not really cover garden design, so you may want to purchase a different book exclusively dedicated to that subject. nonetheless, it is well written, organized and a great reference book to have.



4. This book is written in a very casual way that I find very easy to read. The author, from reading the book, probably has very extensive experience and knowledge with gardening and plants. However, I think the author tries to stress her key points too much by repeating what she thinks is important and thus, the book suffers from not providing the information I would like. I think I'll be more happy with a plant encyclopedia.



5. As a fairly new gardener I discovered this book at the library last year and it is wonderful. It really gets into how and when to pinch and prune (and what these terms mean) plants which I now realize is such an important part of how your flowers will look when they bloom...The author mostly talks about tried and true perennials, but we see them in a whole new light, you can control the height of your plants and even the bloom time. Excellent drawings and color illustrations are very helpful. I really enjoyed the "before and after" photos of gardens that the author has designed.