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Summary: The New England Wild Flower Society Guide to Growing and Pro
Review: Four of us took this book along when shopping at an amazing nursery...not that it failed to dissuade us from shopping to the max, but because it was the best yet information on wildflowers in cultivation and answered some of our (pretty much experienced) questions about propagation failures. This is a nice adjunct to Phillips' propagation book. Also great photography, but as usual, prefers bloom to leaf and habit.
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Summary: This is the propagation book I've been waiting for!!!
Review: I can't add much to Jeremy's marvelous comments; I can only reiterate the praise. This book has the complete, clear, concise and honest information lacking in so many wildflower guides, especially when it comes to propagation. It is apparent that most information comes from the personal experience of the author and I've enjoyed the comments about individual plants. My only suggestion for the next edition would be the addition of photos of the seeds on the plant, especially for species such as Pachysandra, where it is unclear exactly where to look.
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Summary: Disappointing if you want to cultivate these plants
Review: I was under the impression that this book would provide the information I needed to cultivate these plants on some scale. I was very disappointed. There is no way that you could reliably produce these plants with the information provided in this book. There are much better books out there for that purpose. If you are a novice, homegardener wanting to learn about wildflowers and grow a few in your backyard, this book would be okay for you. But if you are knowledgeable on the topic already, I think you will be disappointed.
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Summary: Disappointing if you want to cultivate these plants
Review: I was under the impression that this book would provide the information I needed to cultivate these plants on some scale. I was very disappointed. There is no way that you could reliably produce these plants with the information provided in this book. There are much better books out there for that purpose. If you are a novice, homegardener wanting to learn about wildflowers and grow a few in your backyard, this book would be okay for you. But if you are knowledgeable on the topic already, I think you will be disappointed.
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Summary: A Guide To Wildflowers By A True Expert
Review: If you happen to be visiting The Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, you will probably notice a man puttering in the gardens or working in the nursery. More than likely he will instinctively know that you have a question about the wildflowers you are examining and he will be more than happy to share his knowledge. This amiable person is William Cullina of the New England Wildflower Society. For those who are unable to visit the garden, or have a question about wildflowers, Cullina's book GROWING AND PROPAGATING WILDFLOWERS is the next best thing. This coffee table style book is filled with lavish photographs and wonderful commentary about many wildflowers found in North America. The book not only assists the reader in identifying various wildflowers, but helps the reader who wishes to incorporate wildflowers in a home garden. Cullina mentions in the introduction that horticulture has been a life long passion. This is evident in his writing style. The information in the book is informative and while it is presented in a formal manner, it is non-threatening for the novice gardener. This work is not helpful just for gardeners. Photographers will appreciate the wonderful shots of the flowers, many of which were photographed by Cullina himself.
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Summary: Great Information, Weak IIlustration
Review: This is a wonderful book about the culture and propagation of North American native flowers. The author clearly knows his stuff and communicates it well.The only weakness is the limited and low quality photography (lots of depth of field problems) which, I gather is not the author's work, but came from a wildflower society. There really are far too few pictures considering the wide variety of plants. Don't plan on being able to tell which of the diverse Eupatoriums or Asters you want to plant by looking at their pictures. HOWEVER, this book would be worth it without pictures, just for the information. Go buy the book and then write the pubisher a note saying the illustration is beneath the writing....just like I just did.
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Summary: Great Information, Weak IIlustration
Review: This is a wonderful book about the culture and propagation of North American native flowers. The author clearly knows his stuff and communicates it well. The only weakness is the limited and low quality photography (lots of depth of field problems) which, I gather is not the author's work, but came from a wildflower society. There really are far too few pictures considering the wide variety of plants. Don't plan on being able to tell which of the diverse Eupatoriums or Asters you want to plant by looking at their pictures. HOWEVER, this book would be worth it without pictures, just for the information. Go buy the book and then write the pubisher a note saying the illustration is beneath the writing....just like I just did.
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Summary: Cool book
Review: This is the best reference I've found for native plants, and it's a worthy book for a coffee table. Accessible and extensive, it's pleasantly written, with care information about the species and then add'l info on specific plants in the species. The photographs are often quite nice, although I wish they more consistently showed the plant's habit in addition to flowers. There's also an appendix in the back on seed propagation. If you get this, purchase the companion shrub&tree reference, too. It's just as good.
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Summary: .
Review: Whether you're experienced or just starting out, this book tells you everything you need to know to garden with wildflowers. Introductory sections discuss terms, issues and general cultural requirements. More than 200 color photos illustrate the over 150 genera and 1000 species covered. The info on individual plants is encyclopedic in structure and scope, but conversational in tone. This unusual and happy combination results in a reference that is at once informative and friendly, technical and anecdotal, never pedantic, and often very funny. Each entry begins with a photo of the plant, followed by a paragraph or two relating (mostly) to the genus, then small sections on culture and uses. Important or representative species of the genus (as many as 20 in the cases of Trilliums and Penstemons), with Latin and common names, each have an at-a-glance descriptive section & list of preferences, and further comments. The appendices include lists of wildflowers for specific uses, sources of plants and seeds, & plant societies. If you're considering buying a book on this subject, look no further. This one is the most current, most complete, and most fun.
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Summary: .
Review: Whether you're experienced or just starting out, this book tells you everything you need to know to garden with wildflowers. Introductory sections discuss terms, issues and general cultural requirements. More than 200 color photos illustrate the over 150 genera and 1000 species covered. The info on individual plants is encyclopedic in structure and scope, but conversational in tone. This unusual and happy combination results in a reference that is at once informative and friendly, technical and anecdotal, never pedantic, and often very funny. Each entry begins with a photo of the plant, followed by a paragraph or two relating (mostly) to the genus, then small sections on culture and uses. Important or representative species of the genus (as many as 20 in the cases of Trilliums and Penstemons), with Latin and common names, each have an at-a-glance descriptive section & list of preferences, and further comments. The appendices include lists of wildflowers for specific uses, sources of plants and seeds, & plant societies. If you're considering buying a book on this subject, look no further. This one is the most current, most complete, and most fun.
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