Archives: Book Reviews

I hate seeing “ultimate” in any book title.  There are many good books on almost every gardening topic.  How can one deserve this designation above all the rest?

I had the privilege this winter of sitting on the committee deciding the American Horticultural Society’s 2025 Book Awards.  As the review copies of nominated books arrived, my bias caused me to immediately downgrade “The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation” by Lindsay Sisti.

Fortunately, the rigor of the committee required me to spend much more time with this new book – and I discovered it’s a treasure!  I recommend it for anyone who has a pandemic induced houseplant collection, and even those with a long-standing indoor forest of green.

If your propagation skills are like mine, they aren’t much beyond sticking a leafy stem, broken by accident, into a glass of water and hoping.  While this can work, the author provides many more ways to increase your plants with greater success.  I also appreciated her insights into different soil mixes, and the tools that can make your work easier.  For example, I hadn’t realized the value of a magnifying lens as a gardening tool.

Most of the examples use asexual propagation, but there is a chapter on creating your own hybrids from the seeds of flowering plants, using anthuriums (Anthurium sp.) as the model.  Another chapter works through the details of increasing succulents; a process distinct from most typical houseplants.

This is not a selection guide, but it does feature several of the more popular choices as examples.  It also has hints for dealing with a plant that is not thriving, including freeing a pot bound underperformer, or even saving a diseased favorite.

While I haven’t changed my opinion about the use of the word ultimate, I think that author Sisti has come close to that ideal.   The AHS committee agrees, giving her book one of the 2025 Book Awards.  Throughout, she uses a sometimes quirky sense of humor to engage the reader, but with an overall clear intent: “Do whatever brings you—and helps you spread—joy . . . and plants!”

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on February 10, 2025

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Spring 2025

Do you look at natural plant communities as design models for your garden?  These are a neglected source of inspiration, according to co-authors Kevin Philip Williams and Michael Guidi.  In their new book, “Shrouded in Light: Naturalistic Planting inspired by Wild Shrublands,” they encourage you to consider the value of smaller, woody plants that anchor many different landscapes around the world.

This is not your typical gardening book.  There is little specific guidance on how to select, plant, and maintain shrubs.  Instead, the authors want you to understand the aesthetic and ecological dynamics of wild landscapes prominently featuring shrubs.  Taking this a step further, they encourage embracing these plant communities in an almost spiritual sense.  “Let’s bring shrubby chaos into the garden and be shrouded in its light.”

The heart of the book is a global expedition to see different ecosystems in which shrubs thrive.  These vary from very dry to very wet, from coastal to alpine, and are distinct from grasslands, meadows, and forests.  The authors use many tools in their presentation.  This includes contrasting two images of the same landscape, one marked up to show patterns of colors and texture.

Throughout is the pervasive question: What is a garden?  To explore this topic are several examples of gardens that have been designed keeping the wild aesthetics in mind.  Many are in the western United States as both authors are on the staff of the Denver Botanic Gardens.

A regional example is found in Bend, Oregon where the shrub-steppe flora of the area provide the components and form for a green roof.  But the color scheme is much broader than just green.  “The densely planted vegetation celebrates the tawny hues of spent inflorescences and silver sheen of tomentose foliage that typify shrubs in this semi-arid region.”

There is a certain amount of visual levity.  Local readers will recognize something akin to Plant Amnesty’s examples of horrific pruning.  Abstract paintings, spectacular panoramas, and closeup patterns are other ways to expand the perceptions of readers. Overall, this book “is an invitation for you to design, work, live, and play with shrubs.”

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on November 7, 2024

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Winter 2025

“Weeds of the Pacific Northwest” may not sound like an exciting book.  But look closer at the sub-title: “368 Unwanted Plants and How to Control Them.”  Gardeners – these are OUR weeds!  Time to get to know them, and how to eliminate them.  Or just live with them.

Resembling an oversized field guide, photographer Mark Turner’s superb pictures make identifying your culprits quite easy, especially as he provides two or three images for each species.  Turner honed his craft by illustrating two of the standard guides to our native plants: “Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest” (published in 2006 with co-author Phyllis Gustafson) and “Trees and Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest” (2014 with Ellen Kuhlmann).

Author Sami Gray had an important role in the third edition (2019) of “Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest,” writing in the character of original author Art Kruckeberg for new additions and in organizing the photographs.  She bring the same skill set in writing this book, clearly aimed at the small scale gardener.

This combination of talents has resulted in a book that is both an important reference work, and a fascinating look at the non-native plants that have established themselves in our region.  A few natives that can overrun cultivated plantings are also considered.

An example is Equisetum arvense, the common horsetail.  We learned that although this is native throughout most of the northern hemisphere, it is “so ubiquitous and so aggressive” these plants are “widely treated as weeds.”

With deep roots (to 20 feet!) it is very difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate – no surprise to gardeners dealing with this plant.  The final advice: “Small patches may be discouraged, though probably not vanquished, by persistent pulling.  Or you could move.”

How to get rid of other invaders?  There isn’t a one size fits all answer.  In the chapter “Out, Damned Weed,” Gray presents the many techniques and tools available, including a thoughtful discussion on both conventional and alterative herbicides.  The conclusion?  “Prevention is preferable to marathon weeding sessions on hands and knees.  And if a few weeds survive, it’s not the end of the world.”

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on August 15, 2024

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Fall 2024

Update May 8, 2025: The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries gave a 2025 Award of Excellence in Horticulture to “Weeds of the Pacific Northwest”

 

Leafing through the pages of any popular gardening magazine, you’ll find authors extolling their favorite plant.  Scale that up to a whole book of top picks and you have “What Gardeners Grow: 600 Plants Chosen by the World’s Greatest Plantspeople.”

This is quite unlike any other title in the Miller Library collection.  There are over 200 authors.  Each bringing their own voice to describing their choicest garden plant.  Or, in some cases, two or three favorites.  A light hand of editing allows the writers to extol, rant, describe in detail, or rely on esthetic impressions – much like you’d expect in a casual conversation with your NHS buddies.

What makes this remarkable is these are all people who have garnered considerable expertise.  While focused on the UK, this is an advantage to Pacific Northwest gardeners, as most of the plants will thrive here, too.

Speaking for the publisher Bloom (for Frances Lincoln), commissioning editor Zena Alkayat writes, “the motley collection of plant descriptions [are] all written especially for this book and listed in no particular order.”  This random layout could be frustrating – or delightful, depending on your preference and perhaps your mood.

Each author includes insights to best growing techniques, and a sidebar fills in season, size, soil, exposure, and hardiness needs.  But most important is what excites the writer.

A good example is provided by Neil Miller, the head gardener at Hever Castle and Gardens who describes the pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana): “I love exotic and tropical plants and this is the nearest you’re going to get to growing these in the UK.  The plant has beautiful, orchid-style, edible, cherry-red and white flowers with silver green leaves, and delicious fruits that taste of pineapples, apples, strawberries and mint!”

To enhance this description is an illustration by Melanie Gandyra.  Through the book are many of these paintings that while botanically accurate, are soften in a style reminiscent to me of fabric illustrations.  The colors are especially vivid.

This book is fun!  Best for stimulating your imagination rather than as a reference source.  Perfect for flipping through on a warm summer afternoon.

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 13, 2024

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Summer 2024

In the summer of 2000, I visited England, intent on seeing gardens.  One of the highlights was The Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk, famous for its island beds of herbaceous perennials, allowing viewing from all sides.

Almost as an afterthought, I visited the adjacent garden of Foggy Bottom, noted mostly for conifers.  Here the island beds were more like continents.  In my journal at the time, I wrote: “a variety of textures and, notably, colors…sometimes with subtle color combinations, other times more garish.”

Today, I would look at this garden with different eyes.  Fortunately, I can do that with the 2023 publication of “Foggy Bottom: A Garden to Share” by Adrian Bloom.  My impression now is a garden well-balanced between woody and herbaceous, conifer and broad-leaf, evergreen and deciduous.  The brash colors have mellowed, as to be expected from a more mature garden and gardener.

Bloom has a clear intent expressed through both images and narrative.  “You, as a special guest, in going through this book, are being given a private tour by me, Head Gardener and owner of Foggy Bottom.”

At over four hundred large-format pages, this is a full-day tour, but very worthwhile.  I first flipped through looking at Bloom’s excellent photographs, but was easily drawn in by the conversational commentary.  Each bed is observed and described from various angles, over many years, and in all seasons.  Mistakes are freely admitted, as are unexpected successes.

After taking this long view, Bloom examines the plants more closely.  In part, this is by expected types such as ferns, grasses, and bulbs.  Other groupings are by distinctive features such as bark, foliage in many hues, or plants that facilitate a design feature, such as creating rivers of foliage or flowers through other plantings.

Most intriguing to me was the history of the garden, including photographs from the time of my visit.  I was there on the eve of major change, as many trees were removed soon after my visit, and several beds completely redesigned.  I have no immediate plans to travel to England, but when I do, a return to Foggy Bottom will be a must.

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on February 12, 2024

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Spring 2024

The Miller Library has nearly 200 active subscriptions to magazines, journals, newsletters, and other periodical publications.  I’d love to read them all, but time constraints force me to be selective.  One that I never miss is “The Plant Review,” published quarterly by the Royal Horticultural Society of Britain.

“Bizarre, brilliant and beautiful plants that grow in gardens” is an accurate description of the magazine’s focus, as proclaimed on its website.  Typical articles promote little known but garden-worthy selections or species of trees, shrubs, and all types of herbaceous plants in meticulous detail – a plant nerd’s delight!

For example, the June 2023 issue included an article titled “The Irises of Benton End,” describing the hybridizing efforts of artist Cedric Morris (1889-1982) at his home in eastern England.  Written by Sarah Cook, who maintains the largest collection of Morris’ hybrids, the article includes photographs of all the 28 known survivors, along with the derivations of their names, including of friends, favorite places, and resident cats.

Another article, spread over four pages with several photographs, sorts out the difference between two maple cultivars, Acer ‘Silver Cardinal’ and A. ‘Red Flamingo.’  What are those differences?  I don’t have the space to summarize, but this is typical of the horticultural conundrums addressed by “The Plant Review.”

In the March 2022 issues, Dan Hinkley shares the highlight of his three decades of exploration of the genus Begonia, especially searching for those hardy in temperate gardens.  In the same issue, Graham Rice critiques various wildflower websites, while Helen Harrison searches for large examples of Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) in Wales.

While there is some overlap with “The Garden,” also published by the RHS, “The Plant Review” tackles the more obscure and esoteric subjects.  It rarely features gardens, or the cultural and design practices found in its older, sibling publication.

Begun as “The Plantsman” in 1979, the Miller Library has a full run of this engaging magazine. When your favorite plant is profiled, it is invaluable, but I also recommend it for regularly reading.  It will expand your plant knowledge and confirm just how amazing (and fun!) plants can be.

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on November 6, 2023

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Winter 2024

As curator of the Miller Library, I often have to make difficult decisions about adding new books.  This is especially true for books on subjects already well-represented in the collection, such as roses, herbs, or (especially!) orchids.

Therefore, I was skeptical when learning about a new book titled “Orchid Muse.”  Did we really need an addition to the already bulging shelves on this plant family?  My mind changed only after reading praise for the book by Doug Holland, Director of the Peter Raven Library at the Missouri Botanical Garden, who described it as “a happy reminder of why I fell in love with plants and the history of botany.”

More a collection of biographies than plant profiles, author Erica Hannickel recounts the zealous passion orchids have instill in historical figures.  Some, like Charles Darwin, are already celebrated for their love of plants, but most are better known for other pursuits.  This includes heads of state, heads of industry, artists, and scholars, but also enslaved peoples, and women who strived to have their voices heard in a male-dominated world.

Several stories stood out for me.  It may surprise you that the first public orchid show in the United States took place in a dime museum located in the “Tenderloin District” of New York City in 1887.  The actor Raymond Burr is best known for his role as the criminal defense lawyer Perry Mason in a television series from 1957-1966.  Less well known was the escape he found from bigotry in his orchid collection that he shared with his male partner of 33 years.

“Vanilla is an orchid that has benefited from, and been decimated by, global trade.”  This succinctly describes the history of only genus of this family that has become an important food crop.  This saga includes Edmond, a twelve-year-old, enslaved boy with no last name on the island of Bourbon (now Réunion), who discovered how to hand-pollinate this orchid, making it a profitable crop.

This book has proved its worth by winning the 2023 Annual Literature Award by the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries – and a place on the shelves of the Miller Library!

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on August 4, 2023

Published in Garden Notes: Northwest Horticultural Society, Fall 2023

 

For 20 years, Rebecca Alexander was a mainstay of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library staff.  Rebecca retired at the end of June 2025, but before she went, I asked about her favorite books in the Miller Library collection.  I was not surprised that the list of books “that have made a lasting impression” she provided was extensive and quite varied.  Many are in her personal collection.

“Botanical Icons: Critical Practices of Illustration in the Premodern Mediterranean by Andrew Griebeler is a deep dive into the early history of botanical illustration.  Rebecca especially enjoyed its “focus on a part of the world whose plants and manuscript illuminations particularly interest me.”  While this book tackles a complex history, the writing is very clear and well summarized at end of each chapter.  Best are the wonderfully reproduced illustrations that mostly predate the printing press.

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025

Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin

For 20 years, Rebecca Alexander was a mainstay of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library staff.  Rebecca retired at the end of June 2025, but before she went, I asked about her favorite books in the Miller Library collection.  I was not surprised that the list of books “that have made a lasting impression” she provided was extensive and quite varied.  Many are in her personal collection.

Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) was a well-known English artist who painted a wide scope of subjects, but Rebecca’s favorites of his works are of gardens.  An overview of these works is found in “Stanley Spencer and the English Garden,” edited by Steven Parissien.

Of present-day artist Tessa Newcomb, Rebecca says her “use of color and space is reminiscent of Stanley Spencer, but her style is looser and more dynamic.”

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025

Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin

For 20 years, Rebecca Alexander was a mainstay of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library staff.  Rebecca retired at the end of June 2025, but before she went, I asked about her favorite books in the Miller Library collection.  I was not surprised that the list of books “that have made a lasting impression” she provided was extensive and quite varied.  Many are in her personal collection.

The work of an artist active today is presented in “Angie Lewin: Nature Assembled” from the exhibit catalog of her show at The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh in 2020.  Rebecca sees her work as being “in the vein of Edward Bawden” and others from the 20^th century with “stylized evocations of the natural world, with a great sense of color and pattern.”

Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025

Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin