It's a beautiful book. Photographs are exquisite, mostly of 'decapitated' and detached parts of different plants that are botanically or thematically closely related (ferns, conifers, hydrangeas, climbers, variegation, colour schemes, fragrance, literary themes - mentioned in Shakespeare, leaf shapes).
These are studio photos, tastefully arranged and beautifully presented on full-page displays. They are not photos of actual living plants, in situ, in gardens. Very beautiful but absolutely of no practical use for gardening. The plants are grouped together in chapters with clever titles ('Amber Waves' - ornamental grasses, 'True to Type' - lilies, 'Circle of Light' - colour theory starting with Newton, 'Roundabout' - circular and spherical shapes of flowers). Very much without regard to how the plants are combined in the garden.
For instance, the chapter 'In the Hood' (pp. 66-67) is about the Araceae, Arisaema being familiar to many gardeners. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is mentioned. 'Natural companions', of what? The one-page text, page 66, says nothing about that, interesting botanical or ethnological tidbits, notwithstanding. Page 67 is a full-page of detached parts from different members of Araceae. On page 66 there's a small picture of a branch of red maple and skunk cabbage. A catchy title, but this chapter tells me nothing informative, that which is useful in the garden at all.
There are photos of live plants actually in gardens - some are double-spread or small ones, but they are impressionistic (as in impressionism of Arts) images or isolated specimens. I was looking for practical information how to combine plants in the garden. But this book is not about that, it's not about gardening. I was mistaken about the intent of the author, basing on the author's previous books.
The book is an anthology of Ken Druse's musings or essays about plants; it's literary, not horticultural. This explains the author's often bizarre grouping of plants. The book is not about how to arrange plants in the garden harmoniously or deliberately otherwise, side by side, in proximity, or for overall effects in certain sections of the garden.
The book is the author's foray into the literary world, as some garden writers have succumbed to this disease. It's a beautiful book, of almost no practical horticultural value.
I have thought of throwing my copy in the garbage. Perhaps I will give it to a gardening friend of mine as a Christmas gift. It is not a good reference book, so I will give her replacement blades and spring for Felco #7, as well. I am a philistine, maybe, I say that this book is a beautiful garbage, like many coffee-table books are.
Not recommended for practical green-fingered gardeners who ply their craft in the real gardens.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
etf
MindCandy
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020Verified Purchase
Bluetwinkle
Wow
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2020Verified Purchase
From Oakland
A superb book from Ken Druse
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2012Verified Purchase
Cecilia P. Phipps
GORGEOUS photography!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021Verified Purchase
tjsays
Beautiful, Readable and Valuable
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2012Verified Purchase
