3 comments about The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species: 3rd Edition.

1. As complete a reference as you can own in one cover, this book has it all. Cultural medium requirements, temperature, light - everything you need to know for the most species coverage. Most of the color plates are high quality, some not so good.



2. My favorite book beside The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids by Alec Pridgeon, I recommend it highly for anyone who loves orchid species.



3. A great book for the serious orchidist.As another review said, photographs are not always of the best quality, but are comprehensive in their coverage of some of of the more unusual species. A plethora of taxonomic information for those so inclined, and guidance on the growing environment for the species. If you are a looking for a glossier book on orchid species, with less technical information, and more colorful pictures, then I suggest Alec Pridgeon's also excellent book instead of(or in addition to) this one.

No comments about Secrets from the Jerry Baker Test Gardens: Over 1,436 Tips, Tricks, and Tonics from America's Master Gardener for Lush Lawns, Amazing Annuals, Eye-Popping ... More! (Jerry Baker's Good Gardening series).

1 comments about Perennial Ground Covers.

1. Perennial Ground Covers is a great example of the high standards of Timber Press publishing of horticultural subjects. MacKenzie does an overall exceptional job at breaking down hundreds of species of both traditional and non-traditional groundcovers. Many of the plants included here are clever and reasonable additions to those that would normally be considered groundcovers, while some step over a few bounds, with no harm done nonetheless, to be included in this group. This reference book is best for those with just a little more than basic plant knowledge, but can be just as helpful for the beginner. It is refreshing in its approach that does not baby the reader as it does not assume they know nothing about plants at all. The breakdown of this book consists of an introduction, including an explanation on nomenclature, a section of plates of each groundcover included in the book, a non-picture section of species in alphabetical order, and an outstanding appendix of characteristics in table form for all of the plants included. One main drawback of the book is a lack of family names of species that have descriptions. This is where a grouping by relationship or by environmental conditions would be better than an alphabetical listing. I appreciate that the pictures were kept together in a separate section, rather than including them alongside each description. This makes for easier use for reference. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a reference for both groundcovers and perennials as two individual groups of plants.

1 comments about Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana.

1. Although this book is not at all what I expected (it is what it says it is: "an account of the meaning and symbolism of Ikebana" which I somehow missed before I ordered the book), it is well written and offers excellent information. If you want a greater understanding of the art form, then this is an excellent book. If you're hoping for illustrations to go along with that understanding, then this is not it.

1 comments about Tulips: For North American Gardens.

1. 'Tulips for American Gardens' by bulb retailers, Brent and Becky Heath is an excellent book on at least three counts, if you can get it for less than $10 and not at its list price of $24.95. The most important feature is the fact that it is all about tulips. There are no general facts which include daffodils, narcissus, corms, rhizomes, tubers, or other subterranean perennials. My practical experience says that tulips and daffodils require substantially different treatment, and this book tells all about tulips. The second special feature is the fact that the catalogue of tulip species and cultivars actually fits what I see in my favorite bulb dealer's catalogue. So many times, one sees no connection between cultivar names in texts and your favorite distributor. But, since virtually all tulips originate in Holland, everyone is pretty much working off the same page. The third virtue is that the book is dedicated to our own 'neighborhood', the planting zones of the United States.
   
   While the book as printed is a bit pricy, it is a great source at discounted prices and there is nothing I needed to know which was not in here, most especially information on which cultivars naturalize well and which do not.

5 comments about Sensational Dried Flowers: Make Arrangements So Beautiful They Look Fresh.

1. What a masterpiece! This book is not only beautiful (the photography is excellent) but full of secrets for drying beautiful flowers. I can hardly wait to have them in every room of my home. This is not a craft book......it is an artists rendition of God's beautiful creations. Floral designers and gardeners alike will love this book!



2. I am not your typical crafty husband. I can easily pass by the craft section of the store without feelings of remorse. However, while waiting for my wife, I picked up this book and started looking through it. It only took a few moments of looking at the tools of the trade page to get me interested. Pliers, clother pins, and glue guns...I could really get interested in something that started off with these items. I purchased the book and asked my wife where we could buy Silica gel at 9:30 in the evening. I found the examples and pictorial instructions most helpful and my results actually looked like the pictures. I can not claim to have produced the arrangements as glorious as those pictured in Ms. Davis' book, but I was very proud of them and found them to last much longer than expected. I would recommend this book to the expert and the novice. It has something for each category. I even went to meet Ms. Davis at a book signing. Her techniques in flower drying are most remarkable.



3. (This is an adult review! Couldn't find where to write it except here!)

   It's always a challenge to find the perfect birthday present for my artist/gardening wife. This year I found a winner in "Sensational Dried Flowers" by Esther Davis.

   My wife was always disappointed when she tried to dry flowers in the traditional manner. They ended up with faded colors and shriveled blossoms.

   It was hard to believe that the beautiful flowers pictured in the book were actually dried and not fresh from a florist or the garden. But with the help of the simple but thorough directions in Ms. Davis's book, we were thrilled when our first attempt with a Zinnia looked like it had indeed come fresh from the garden!

   The arrangements by Ms. Davis are beautifully done, and have given us many great ideas. We highly recommend "Sensational Dried Flowers" whether you are an artist, a gardener, or just want to create some beauty you can be proud of in your own home or as gifts for friends.

   (I am 71 years old (going on 52) if it really matters.




4. This is a new hobby for me and I found the Book beautifully illustrated and easy to understand. The author covers a variety of subjects related to drying flowers such as tips on how to display the attractively and creatively after drying. She also has some chapters on how containers, from old boxes to odd-shaped baskets can serve as a base for your dried floral arrangement. She also included many names of flowers that can be successfully dried as well as a suggested timetable since flowers have different moisture content. One problem I had was finding Silica Jel in large quantities locally. If would have been helpful to have this info included in book. I did find a source in California however.



5. A really excellent book with extensive information about how to dry flowers in several different ways. Detailed instructions on how to store flowers and what problems to watch out for.
   There are also excellent sections on how to make a wreath from scratch, how to create a wide variety of stunning displays with detailed instructions for each. The book is packed with instructive diagrams and well composed photographs of floral displays. If you want just one book on drying flowers this would be the one to pick.

No comments about Dahlias (Little Plant Library).

5 comments about Angraecoid Orchids: Species from the African Region.

1. I love flowers with green and white colours; of course the angraecoid orchids have to be one of my favourites. It was a more than positive surprise to see the pictures of Bob Campbell: I never have seen more perfect pictures on orchids. The whole book is monographically organised, a well of information on morphology and ecology of the species, and with a lot of information on culivation of the species. Great!



2. A very nice book with beautiful fotos. A complete review of the genus Angraecoid.



3. Excellent reference book for the Angraecoids. This is a huge work to list the many species, habitats, and culture.
   Great color photos of these beautiful orchids.



4. I found this text to be most informative and easy to read and to understand. The layout was logical. For a grower relatively new to this genera the insights provided by Joyce Stewart helped me understand the limitations that my growing conditions place on successful culture of this group.
   
   I believe that any serious grower of orchids would find this a welcome addition to thier reference library.



5. At last, a more recent revision of this group of orchids, incorporating numerous changes that have occured since the last major work by Hillerman.
   The descriptions are accurate and comprehensive, with cultural advice etc. This book is a must-have as a refernce work and general addition to any good orchid library. My only negative impression was that there were a number of species with no line drawings or photos - I always find that a book with a larger variety of pictures of the species is of greater use to the general orchid grower. Nevertheless - this is a book any orchid grower must have, especially as it covers a large selection of these wonderful African Orchids.

1 comments about Taylor's 50 Best Herbs and Edible Flowers: Easy Plants for More Beautiful Gardens (Taylor's 50 Best).

1. I decided to start an indoor herbal garden, and this was one of the first books I picked up. Not only was it informative about plant care, it also provided some very interesting recipes, concoctions, folklore, and tips on storing and processing the herbs.

4 comments about Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide.

1. For such a widely heralded group of plants, hellebores have always suffered from a dearth of supporting literature. Many of the best books are out-of-print and nearly impossible to find. The few volumes available approach the genus from a decidely European vantage point. This book solves both problems -- delivering comprehensive information applicable to a North American audience. Almost all chapters are well-researched and written in a scholarly tone. Quality photographs supplement the text. The book pays tribute to the European influence on raising hellebores to their current lofty position, but at the same time ample attention is devoted to American contributors and the peculiarities of U.S. growing conditions. My one qualm is the book's lack of focus on a major trend in future hybrid hellebore development, namely the mass production of superior named clones (such as doubles) via tissue culture. Barry Glick at Sunshine Farm and Gardens (competition for Tyler's Pine Knot??) is a leader in this effort. Despite this minor flaw, the book is destined to become a standard work consulted by horticulturists for years to come.



2. Hellebores and the Humans Who Love Them
   
   This book is the story of hellebores, and the humans who love them. In Great Britain it is about Good King John and the Knights of Ashwood, breeding to the highest standards of beauty. It is about Brian, the Earl of Taxon, smitten as a boy who "...found a hybrid of the H. orientalis type on a rubbish tip..." But now, a little hellebore hate has crept in because "...there is no foolproof system of classification." And there is Will, the Dark Lord of Phedar refusing to bow to the "horticultural elite", refusing to write their "pap". On his own path, he has "...spread hellebores throughout the world."
   
   The Queen Mother's Strangman and Ballard, who "...provided a wide, firm base upon which breeders have built." Now Lord Robin of Blackthorn, Sir Kevin of Ashwood and their plants have "...set a new standard for H x hybridus."
   
   In the United States are the Tyler's of Southern Virginia and the O'Byrne's of The Pacific Northwest, with Sir Colston holding court as he preaches around the country.
   
   This book is the story of the care and patience, the worry and work that these people, and many more, have given to the hellebores.
   
   And what have the hellebores given us in return? Let's start with blazing, dazzling color, at a time of year when it can be leisurely appreciated. Let's move on to the subtle colors of red, silver and chartreuse on leaves, veins, buds, stems and stalks. They freely offer us their seeds. They grow in dry shade, are long lived, and usually they scoff at the deer and voles that come sniffing around. They make an almost perfect group of plants for the home garden where I live in Durham, North Carolina.
   
   After years of collecting, growing and breeding hellebores the authors have given us this book, not just their experience but the experience of dozens over time. This book gives voice to an entire community. It took a global village to raise the hellebores. And raise it they did, from horticultural obscurity to perennial plant of the year.
   
   Authenticity reigns throughout this book. From history and taxonomy through the species, hybrids, propagation, breeding, growing, design, and even cut flower information, the authors write from their own experience or the direct experience of others.
   
   Are there flaws in the book? Of course there are. Anyone wanting to read my notes entitled, " Flaws, nitpicky and otherwise," are free to email me at [...] and I will share them readily. Seriously.
   
   My only complaint for this review is that Richard Tyler's name is not on the front of the book, because his photos, as well as his considerable heart and soul, fill the inside pages.
   
   If you want to learn more about this magnificent tribe we call hellebores, and the magnificent people who love them, then buy this book.



3. The information in this book helped me add hellebores to my garden. I shared this book with my neighbor and she fell in love with the plant - This book explains and guides you with caring for this wonderful plant!



4. At last, a superb book on Hellebores, beautifully illustrated and lots of useful contacts. Highly recommended. John Geddes Head Gardener Brynkinalt Hall u.k.