Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest Books

Book SynopsisFor centuries common primroses have spread breathtaking carpets of pale lemon yellow across the globe, the first sign of spring. Abundant, edible, and beneficial for many ailments, they have supported civilization's social and cultural foundations. When undaunted plant hunters risked their lives to introduce the many Himalayan primroses of breathtaking beauty, the primrose gained iconic status. Capable of endless variation, primroses have captured the attention of gardeners, plant breeders, and scientists, while artists and poets have found them essential as both subject matter and muse. William Shakespeare introduced us to the "the primrose path," a pleasurable but destructive route, in several of his plays, and Charles Darwin spent more than thirty years working with primroses to solve an elegant evolutionary mystery. This book tells the story of how primroses became so successful, circling the Earth, adapting to human civilization, and yet holding their own on inaccessible craggy summits where they may never be seen. Bringing together facts, folklore, and beautiful images from around the world, Primrose is a delightful guide to this hugely popular flower.

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Book SynopsisWhat is it about the small fruits of field and wood that encourages rapture? These gifts of the earth - flagrant in hedgerows, carpeting the forest floor or colouring the uplands - are so ubiquitous as to be commonplace and so extraordinary that we have woven them into our folklore, fables and art. Strawberries, brambles, blueberries and raspberries were painted in the frescoes of Pompeii, twined into the borders of medieval miniatures and embroidered on silks and linens. Today the huge demand for these nutrient-rich fruits is pushing berry cultivation into new territories, from South America to Scandinavia, and changing the nature of our relationship with these much-loved fruits. In this delightful, surprising and occasionally juicy exploration, Victoria Dickenson traces the humble berry's journey across cultures and through centuries with humour and passion.Trade Review"Dickenson traces the humble berry’s journey across cultures and through the centuries with humor and passion." * Gardens Illustrated *"Berries is a visual feast. From the stunning front cover to the many color illustrations the book is a joy to behold. . . . There are no berries as delicious and satisfying as those that we grow or collect ourselves. This attractive and informative book helps us to appreciate them all the more." * OxVeg News *"This book brings to readers a beautifully packaged cultural and scientific exploration of some of the world’s favorite fruits. Dickenson, an amateur botanist, brings her skills with rare books and archives to the table as she highlights writings surrounding the history and lore of the berry across the centuries. The situation of berries in global culture is presented as a critical component of their history, and passages from the works of, e.g., Thoreau and Ovid provide context to Dickenson's characterization of the importance of berries throughout history. . . . Recommended." * Choice *"I thoroughly enjoyed Berries, particularly since I always like learning about the scientific basis for the history of the classification of food plants. . . . Berries are clearly a difficult food to classify, and Dickenson has managed to make the history of the taxonomy and cataloguing of these small fruits both entertaining and informative." * Digestible Bits and Bites *“A book that will change the way you think about berries, familiar and unfamiliar. Beautifully written, packed with information and arresting ideas, all six chapters will appeal to a range of readers, who can savor the mouthwatering illustrations as much as the harvest and preserves of the kitchen.” -- Mark Laird, author of "A Natural History of English Gardening"Table of ContentsPreface1 Berries True and False2 Berries in Mind3 Berries in the Hand4 Garden Varieties5 Preserving the Harvest6 The Global BerryTimelineReferencesBibliographyAssociations and WebsitesAcknowledgementsPhoto AcknowledgementsIndex

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Book SynopsisDrawing its allure from the gold of the sun and the rule of emperors, the chrysanthemum winds its way through ancient Chinese culture into the gardens of French Impressionist painters and onto the pages of American novels. The flower signifies both life and death, as parts of Europe associate it with mourning while others celebrate it for its golden rays that light the autumnal gloom. In this fascinating book, Twigs Way follows the fortunes of the flower through philosophy, art, literature and death, recounting the stories of the men and women who became captivated by it. With a range of vibrant illustrations, including works by Hiroshige, Monet and Mondrian, it will appeal to lovers of art, flowers, history and culture.Trade Review"Forget associations of chrysanthemums and dreary drabness, thanks to Way their myriad petals point the reader honorably, imperially, and sensibly into a journey of floral fascination. . . . [A] book of horticultural, artistic, and literary delights."--Caroline Holmes, garden historian "The chrysanthemum was the classless wonder of the Victorian Age. Way has wondrously revived it--we can now at last understand its true glory in the pantheon of flowers."--His Honour Simon Brown QC, past master of the Inner Temple GardenTable of ContentsIntroduction1 The Honourable and Imperial Flower2 Smuggling Tea and Chrysanthemums3 Gathering the Harvest in Societies and Shows4 In Peace and in War5 An Impression of Chrysanthemums6 A Literary Bouquet7 Meaningful and Useful: A Plethora of ChrysanthemumsTimelineReferencesFurther Reading Associations and WebsitesAcknowledgementsPhoto AcknowledgementsIndex

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Book SynopsisA Nevada State Arboretum, the University of Nevada, Reno campus is home to more than 3,000 trees representing more than 200 species and varieties. This attractive guidebook introduces readers to the university’s beautiful campus and its botanical treasures. Richly illustrated with both contemporary color and archival photos, this book captures the charm of the campus in all four seasons and shows how the grounds of the university have evolved over the years. Featuring 19 distinct tours around campus, a comprehensive map, and family-friendly interactive “tree hunts,” this guide showcases the campus' ecological diversity and interesting tree species and will appeal to first-time visitors as well as longtime residents.Trade ReviewA delightful tree guide full of factual, historical, and important botanical information for those who just want to enjoy a stroll through the campus arboretum, and for those who study horticulture, plant science, and environmental resources."" - Bill Carlos, M.S., horticulturist, manager of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

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