Rating: 
Summary: Recommended
Review: Dorothy has once again written a book without the all too often seen arcane ancient references to obscure systems of magick. Simply a straight forward approach to making a personal garden grow through infusing yourself into your chosen herbs, without needing a tome on extensive gardening or magickal techniques. A recommended study.
Rating: 
Summary: Pot pourri of interesting ideas and good bed time reading...
Review: Dorothy Morrison's BUD, BLOSSOM & LEAF contains something old, something new and some things borrowed from other gardeners, as well as a good deal of original material based on her own experiences. She combines all these bits of gardening wisdom and lore into a practical but fun book that has more to do with using herbs than growing them. I appreciate the old bits, such as being reminded of the multiple uses of Chamomile, a natural antibiotic remedy and a soothing balm, and new information seldom found in gardening books - such as how to make wine from excess fruit and other plant materials. The best part of her book is entitled "Mother Nature's Household" where Ms Morrison offers ideas and suggestions for everything from 'Cleaning with Herbs' to 'Herbal Beauty'. She includes recipes for products for the bath and boudoir, as well as the kitchen.If you are a new gardener, you will probably want to purchase another gardening book that goes into greater depth concerning the care and feeding (growing) of herbs, as Ms Morrison's discussion of gardening techniques is directed to the experienced gardener and, not the novice. There are a number of herbal gardening books on the market, for example Rodale'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS, which is a good place to begin to learn more about herbs. Herbs are generally annuals (Basil, balms, Borage) or perennials (Lavender, Artemisia, Echinacea) so bed preparation is similar to that undertaken for flower gardening. However, every experienced gardener knows not all flowers have the same requirements. For example, if you are going to raise lavender, it helps to know that it prefers dry alkaline growing conditions. Like most flowers, most herbs require lots of sun (many come from the Mediterranean), so you'll have better luck growing herbs on a sunny balcony, than in a shady moist location.
Rating:
Summary: Pot pourri of interesting ideas and good bed time reading...
Review: Dorothy Morrison's BUD, BLOSSOM & LEAF contains something old, something new and some things borrowed from other gardeners, as well as a good deal of original material based on her own experiences. She combines all these bits of gardening wisdom and lore into a practical but fun book that has more to do with using herbs than growing them. I appreciate the old bits, such as being reminded of the multiple uses of Chamomile, a natural antibiotic remedy and a soothing balm, and new information seldom found in gardening books - such as how to make wine from excess fruit and other plant materials. The best part of her book is entitled "Mother Nature's Household" where Ms Morrison offers ideas and suggestions for everything from `Cleaning with Herbs' to `Herbal Beauty'. She includes recipes for products for the bath and boudoir, as well as the kitchen. If you are a new gardener, you will probably want to purchase another gardening book that goes into greater depth concerning the care and feeding (growing) of herbs, as Ms Morrison's discussion of gardening techniques is directed to the experienced gardener and, not the novice. There are a number of herbal gardening books on the market, for example Rodale'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS, which is a good place to begin to learn more about herbs. Herbs are generally annuals (Basil, balms, Borage) or perennials (Lavender, Artemisia, Echinacea) so bed preparation is similar to that undertaken for flower gardening. However, every experienced gardener knows not all flowers have the same requirements. For example, if you are going to raise lavender, it helps to know that it prefers dry alkaline growing conditions. Like most flowers, most herbs require lots of sun (many come from the Mediterranean), so you'll have better luck growing herbs on a sunny balcony, than in a shady moist location.
Rating:
Summary: ~ * A Beautiful Book on Magick Herbalism! * ~
Review: First of all, I am a novice on growing herbs so this book was perfect for me! Morrison suggests ways to plan, plant, & prepare your own herbal garden. She even includes tips for city dwellers like myself. (However, I can't wait until I move into a house because I want to try out her suggestions for a Butterfly garden!) Also included in this book are tips on harvesting and trouble-shooting. However, my favorite parts of this book were the chapters on Bath & Boudoir, Herbal Beauty, and Herbal Hygiene & First Aid. The miracle cure for dry feet worked wonders for my friend, but my favorite was the Bath Tub Fizzes recipe, especially when used with lavender herbs! My only complaint about the book was I wish Morrison would of gone into a little more detail on the actual herb growing process. Guess I will need to find another book for that. Otherwise, a truly wonderful read.
Rating:
Summary: For the novice or for entertainment
Review: For the novice, I gave it 4 stars. This book would give you a good start on the love of growing herbs. For those who were hoping for an in depth study on magical gardening, I'd have to sadly give it 1 star. I already have quite a library regarding gardening and herbs, and I was really expecting something more in-depth, something more serious. There are a lot of "rituals" and "spells" in this book, but they are either no-brainers for me (like a garden blessing ritual) or they are really just tried-and-true folk remedies revamped into a Wiccan spell. Perhaps this book would have connected better with someone who was also in the novice stage of Witchcraft as well?
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment and information all in one book!
Review: I absolutly loved this book! It covers every possible aspect of growing a successful herb garden, from ground preperation to how to get the herbs ready for winter, and the information can even be used for a flower garden. I probably read the entire book in about 3 days because of the entertaining way Dorothy Morrison wrote this book, and it was more like reading a favorite novel. Even if you are not in to Magick, this will prove an excellent read for gardening beginners or anyone just looking to start a successful garden. I would recomment this to anyone and give it 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Delightful, practical and magical
Review: I've had this book for some time and hadn't seriously read it till today. Its enjoyable, practical, and well organized. For those looking for more--and for the author to do ALL the work for you, look elsewhere. This is a witch's garden at its simpliest, something I prefer. Who has time for more? The spells and chants are simple, to the point, and yes there are other books out there that are more in depth, but for me... gardening, harvesting and using plants and herbs in my daily magical life IS simple. If you want the plot of a garden, or indept herbal/plant usage, I suggest Cunningham, Rodale's Herbs, or Garden Witchery.
Rating:
Summary: This has to be one of my favorite books of all time.
Review: It is one that I reference many times a week. Not only is it written and illustrated in an easy to use format, but it very thorough. Bud, Blossom, & Leaf reminds me how important Goddess is in the gifts she gives us, whether it be herb, flower, bush, or tree. As you begin to read Bud, Blossom, & Leaf , you gain insight and knowledge of gardening and Spirit, whether you have an indoor or outdoor garden. Would you like a shaped and themed garden? Perhaps a Fairie Garden or maybe you are more interested in a Medicine Wheel Garden for healing. Learn Rituals to bless the gardens and the earth, learn to intertwine them in your daily life. From recipes for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal uses to lessons in how to appease fairies so your gardens grow lush, everything you need is here within these pages. Learn how to predict the weather by using the Moon and the Winds. Learn to enlist the elemental energies to create your own magickal gardens. Become closer to Deity, as you become enlightened in and by the garden. M.L. Benton, Publisher, Echoed Voices.
Copyright © November 2001
Rating: 
Summary: MORE FLUFF FROM LLEWELLYN
Review: Once again Llewellyn has published another "magic" book that lacks substance and research. I have met the author several times and she is a lovely lady, but this is a book I cannot recommend. She gives some very good basic gardening advice, such as how to grow seedlings and sterilize soil, but this kind of advice can be found in any good gardening book. The "twist" to this book is supposed to be the "magic" side of gardening. I found her magical ideas and instructions to be very light weight. I got the idea that she just made up whatever sounded cute to her. I don't think Wicca needs to be rocket science, but to have such a "rush job" attitude is not the answer. I suppose this book would be appropriate for someone who is completely new to Wicca and wants to get a taste of it without having to commit to anything. Otherwise I would say don't buy this book. Buy a regular good herbal gardening book (such as Your Backyard Herb Garden or The Herb Bible or Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Herbs or The Honest Herbal) and then buy a good Wicca book (such as Hedgewitch: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner or A Witch Alone or any books by Janet snd Stewart Farrar). Or check out: The Magical Garden or The Magical Lore of Herbsor Herbal Pituals. If you're serious about Wicca nad herb gardening, skip this book and find a better one!
Rating:
Summary: Once again, a well written book with magic abound!
Review: Once again, I have found complete trust, and magic in a book by this author. Dorothy Morrison has been an inspiration in all my magickal workings and now she takes me to the garden. D.M. has shown me that magick can be simple and still effective while planting my herbs. I am fairly new to this aspect and this book has brought me right up to par. Anyone who plans to garden and bless their gardens with a pagan flavor, this is THE BOOK! Very well written as always from Morrison and made so I can enjoy as well as learn from it. I would tell anyone interested in pagan gardening to buy a copy of this book. Most excellent. Oceana at the Realm
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