Thoreau's Garden [Paperback]

"Thoreau's Garden" is an imaginary place where the plants Thoreau knew in 19th-century New England still thrive and where we can "learn their history, their uses, and their charms." Well-known garden writer Loewer (The Evening Garden, LJ 1/93) profiles nearly 50 shrubs, trees, grasses, flowering plants, fungi, and ferns, using generous excerpts from Thoreau's journals. Each essay mentions the use of the plant in cultivation, but in most instances this information is very limited compared with coverage in other books on natural gardening. This work's strength lies instead in its conveying Thoreau's delight in the natural world and some interesting and unusual facts about the plants in his vicinity. One learns, for example, that Jack-in-the-pulpit can grow to three feet high or that barberries were once widely made into jams and jellies. Recommended for natural history collections in most libraries, especially in the eastern half of the United States.?Elizabeth Clewis Crim, Prince William P.L., Va.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The latest book by this notable writer on horticultural topics deftly weaves excerpted reveries from Thoreau's journals together with copious notes on native plants gathered by Loewer himself. The result is an agreeable foray into the fertile landscape Thoreau knew so well. Although today's gardeners can only dream of such remarkable wild spaces, as Loewer suggests, it might be that "the best garden is a garden of the mind." Thus, the lively text feeds the craving for imaginary gardens, first by musing on the scientific naming of plants, then by proceeding to highlight selected trees and shrubs, prairie grasses, and outstanding wildflowers--of wetlands and woodlands. Loewer conjures up enough plant minutiae (fascinating facts, myths, historical particulars, practical uses, etc.) to satisfy the most demanding avid gardener. A new book by Loewer is cause for celebration. Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Henry David Thoreau went alone to Walden Pond in 1845 and observed the ferns and turtleheads, the sundrops and spatterdocks, and the other beautiful native plants that formed a natural garden around his cabin. He walked the woods and fields and penned his observations in his journals. Noted plantsman Peter Loewer combines excerpts from Thoreau's journals with his own botanical illustrations and comments.

Peter Loewer is the author of several best-selling gardening books, including The Wild Gardener (0811724794) and The Winter Garden (0811719251). He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.