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by Rommy Lopat, Editor,
The Weedpatch Gazette
TWG Editor: In the last
edition of TWG, I included a reference to being as cold "as a witch's
tit". I received a letter chastising me for defaming witches, who, I am
told, are positive-minded people whose religion is even
recognized by the Federal government. I stand corrected and apologize for any
misunderstanding. Witchs' tits are apparently warm (warm-ish?), but it's their
senses of humor which (witch?) are cold. [P.S. Shall I run for President of the
United States?]
Illinois Wetland Restoration and Creation Guide by Alicia Nugteren
Admiraal,
Marilyn J. Morris, Thomas C. Brooks, Jeffrey W. Olson, and Michael V.
Miller[Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 19, 1997). Sorry I
forgot to mention this book earlier, but it is a very practical guide to
restoring our wetlands. Plain vanilla type document, but readers of TWG donÕt
care about fancy anyway. $15. Call (217) 333-6880.
SteyermarkÕs Flora of Missouri edited by George Yatskievych. This is a
updated version of the original Flora written in the 1960Õs by the late Julian
Steyermark, arguably the finest taxonomist in the world. The original Flora was
in one volume, so it is now being published in separate volumes. It includes
information on 801 species, including 194 full-page b/w illustrations and county
"dot maps" of species distributions. $38 plus $4 shipping to Missouri
Botanical Garden Press, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110-2991 or (314)
577-9534.
Reading the Landscape of America by May Theilgaard Watts. An
indispensable reprint of the 1975 version. A classic! $19.95 plus $2 shipping
from Nature Study Guild Publishers, POB 10489, Rochester, NY 14610 or (800)
954-2984.
The Golden Age of American Gardens by Mac Griswold and Eleanor Weller.
This tome was published in 1991, so doubtless all of you already know about it,
but I did not. This book is expensive and long: you will only read bits of it at
a time. It is also an indispensable and fascinating catalog of the great gardens
of 1890-1940. If you can't learn about landscape design from the colored
pictures alone
know what they looked like: "vulgar with its violent display plantings and
the many, too many, bronze rabbits in the rock garden." Ha! Why am I not
surprised that the gardener was one of my relatives?
The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses by Richard Darke [Timber Press, 1999] is a 325 page masterpiece. Simply necessary.
Hardcover - 325 pages (March 1999)
Timber Pr; ISBN: 0881924644 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 11.38 x 8.87Buy Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses now at Amazon.Com
Gardening with Grasses by Michael King and Piet Oudolf [Timber Press, 1998] is a good book to have if you are developing a complete ornamental grass library; if you prefer a more American plant palette, then I would opt for the older book, Gardening with Nature, by James van Sweden [Random House, 1997] which includes diagrams of plant-ing plans. I was particularly humored by a gorgeous photo in the Oudolf book: the garden featured cleome, purple fountain grass [Pennisetum], and datura; two of which will reseed unbelievably and the other will likely freeze to death. Donāt plant everything you see in books!
Hardcover - 152 pages (February 1998)
Timber Pr; ISBN: 0881924113 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.71 x 11.00 x 9.42Buy Gardening with Grasses now at Amazon.Com
Designing With Plants by Piet Oudolf with Noel Kingsbury [Timber Press, 1999] is a book that I hope will be read by plant nurseries, for it includes all manner of plants that I have not seen for sale in the Midwest. These naturalistic plants are shown in the stunning combinations of color and texture contrast for which Oudolf is a genius. Eye popping swaths of color÷the neighbors are really going to talk this time!
Hardcover - 160 pages (November 1999)
Timber Pr; ISBN: 0881924377 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.78 x 11.27 x 9.69
Buy Designing With Plants now at Amazon.Com
Herbs for Health and Healing by Kathi Keville [Rodale Press, 1996]. I canāt say I eat my perennials yet, although I chuckled after noticing that my new bottle of "womenās vitamins" contain Cimicifuga racemosa. [Had I known that false bugbane was so good for me, I would have sent the dog to dig some up, but I digress.] Somehow it is extremely comforting to read about the potions and lotions and cures that plants offer, even if I never lift a finger to actually conjure up a brew. This book is especially detailed and interesting.
Paperback - 374 pages (October 1998)
Rodale Pr; ISBN: 1579540457 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.87 x 9.04 x 6.47
Buy Herbs for Health and Healing now at Amazon.Com
Penstemons by Robert Nold [Timber Press, 1999]. A book about penstemons by an American is too good to be true. This oneās so new I havenāt read it yet, but any penstemon that is hardy to the Midwest is good with me. I bought some at a farmerās market in Burlington, Wisconsin, and they were still crazy with bloom in October. Do you suppose theyāll be in my garden next October?
Hardcover - 307 pages (October 1999)
Timber Pr; ISBN: 0881924296 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.02 x 10.73 x 7.77Buy Penstemons now at Amazon.Com
Take Two Plants by Nicola Ferguson [Contemporary Books, 1999] is unfortunately full of plants that donāt pertain to the Midwestās weather (I skipped the chapter entitled, "Winter Flowering Plants"), but the bookās heart, format, and photographs are definitely in the right place. Arranged by category (aromatic foliage; purple, red, or bronze foliage; hot-colored flowers; green flowers, etc.), the book offers lots of great plant combinations. Too bad I never think of them when Iām planting.
Hardcover - 256 pages (February 1999)
Contemporary Books; ISBN: 0809227681 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.05 x 8.87 x 11.87Buy Take Two Plants now at Amazon.Com
Beth Chattoās Garden Notebook [1988; Sagapress, 1997]. Oh, just a wonderful read. If Y2K has doused the lights, just curl up with a glass of port, fuzzy slippers, a candle and Beth. Youāll be asleep and not-a-tall worried about real life in seconds.
Maples for Gardens by C. J. van Gelderen and D.M. van Gelderen [Timber Press, 1999]. We in the Midwest may not be able to grow every maple, but it is fantastic to be able to see photos of these gorgeous trees. An indispensable book, one which will make you want to start yet another tree collection.
Hardcover - 294 pages (September 1999)
Timber Pr; ISBN: 0881924725 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 11.25 x 8.81Buy Maples for Gardens now at Amazon.Com
Growing with Roses in Cold Climates by Jerry Olson and John Whitman [Contemporary Books, 1998]. If it grows in Minnesota, it is sure to grow in Illinois! These two gentlemen are from Minnesota, and they did us "southerners" a huge good turn by authoring this book. They include 700 roses in this book. If you are only interested in the 50 that are gorgeous and will survive our cold, buy this book and be glad for the money youāll save on experimentation. An indispensable book for the rose lover.
Hardcover - 272 pages (January 1999)
NTC/Contemporary Publishing; ISBN: 0809229412 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.84 x 11.00 x 8.87
Buy Growing With Roses in Cold Climates now at Amazon.Com
Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants [University of Iowa Press, 1999]. This is a 320-page book featuring text and maps by Paul Christiansen and drawings by Mark Muller. (800) 621-2736 or www.uiowa.edu/~uipress.
Paperback - 320 pages (May 1999)
Univ of Iowa Pr; ISBN: 0877456615 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.76 x 11.07 x 8.56
Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois is new from the IL Natural History Survey. Itās a 300 page hardcover, authored by biologists Chris Phillips, Ron Brandon, and Ed Moll, and it updates the 1961 guide written by Dr. Philip Smith. All 102 herps are photographed! (217) 333-6880.
Midwest Gardeners Handbook by Jan Riggenbach is published by the same outfit [Cool Springs Press, 1999] that brought us Jim Fizzellās Illinois Gardenerās Guide. Itās one of those books that will probably sell like hotcakes, and which is perfect for taking with you to the corner garden center. Competent, but limited. Each species of plant gets two short pages, like it or not. I think Riggenbachās considerable talents (sheās a garden columnist for Midwest Living magazine) could be put to higher use, but the cash register probably disagrees.
Paperback - 424 pages (May 1999)
Cool Springs Press; ISBN: 1888608137 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 9.00 x 6.03
Rare and Precious Plants of China; Wild Tropical Plants of China; and Orchids [2nd edition]. I havenāt seen any of these fat and expensive books, but the press release faxed from China was so charming that the books merit inclusion. For more information, e-mail han_con@yahoo.com or fax (530) 579-7132.
Random House Atlas of Bird Migration edited by Jonathan Elphick [Random House, 1995]. Get this book from the library before deciding to buy it, or find it in the bargain rack at Borderās. Very instructive÷a birdās eye view of the globe. We humans really should place our development out of the way of bird migration. Poor things: however do they navigate anymore?
Wychwood by Frances Kinsley Hutchinson was published in 1928, and can probably only be obtained by borrowing it from the Chicago Botanic Gardenās library. For those of you who love or garden in Lake Geneva, WI, this is a wonderful true story of a 72-acre estate containing 700 native to Wisconsin plants and an amazing array of fungi. Lists of same, plus birds, are included.
Washingtonās Gardens at Mt. Vernon by Mac Griswold [Houghton Mifflin, 1999]. Oh, a beautiful and inspiring book. My husband John walked away with it and claimed it for his own. Well done÷could the real place be any better?
Hardcover - 192 pages (May 1999)
Houghton Mifflin Co (Trd); ISBN: 0395929709 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.89 x 8.30 x 10.42
AmazonBuy Washington's Gardens at Mt. Vernon now at Amazon.Com
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson [Broadway Books, 1998]. Follow the author as he hikes the Appalachian Trail. Very, very funny!
Hardcover - 276 pages (May 1998)
Broadway Books; ISBN: 0767902513 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.00 x 9.57 x 5.96Buy A Walk in the Woods now at Amazon.Com
Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall [Warner Books, 1999]. Yes, I do know that chimpanzees donāt have much to do with gardening near Chicago. However, we all have spiritual journeys, and Jane Goodallās is a triumph. Interesting biographical reading by a dauntless heroine of mine.
Hardcover - 282 pages (September 1999)
Warner Books; ISBN: 0446522252 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.10 x 9.33 x 6.32Buy Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey now at Amazon.Com
Friendship with God by Neale Donald Walsch [G.P. Putnamās Sons, 1999]. Hereās one of many nice things the book said to me and I say to you in this New Year 2000: "In the face of every problem, do a joyful thing." .
Hardcover - 437 pages (October 25, 1999)
Putnam Pub Group (T); ISBN: 0399145419 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.44 x 8.57 x 6.03Buy Friendship with God now at Amazon.Com
I've told you this before, but you will be glad that you purchased The Best of Thymes, a cookbook by TWG subscriber Marge Clark. For me, cookbooks have to be both good and well-designed. (You know, I just realized I feel the same way about churches, but I digress). This one meets my criteria, and I like it even better because it's organized the way I like: by herb. This is important because I often stand in the garden and ask the Lemon Verbena or Basil or Whatever-Herb-Is-Most-Overgrown to which clever foodstuff it wants to donate. With this cookbook, I can prune that unruly herb and know I donÕt have to comb through every cookbook on the shelf looking for a recipe that matches. (I'm particularly happy to have Marge's recipes for scented Geraniums.) Like a good gardener would, the author offers explanations of which varieties of each herb are good for what (i.e. Gorizia' Rosemary has leaves twice as large as regular Rosemary and is for sale only in Italy or in Nik Alwerdt's Garden in Altamont, IL; Tuscan Blue Rosemary grows like mad, is wonderful to cook with, and will become your favorite.) Please do make Marge happy and order this book for Christmas. For yourself, of course! This book retails for $25.00, but you can buy it at Amazon Books for $17.50 today.
Buy The Best of Thymes now at Amazon.Com.
ISBN: 0964051419
Paradise by Design is a fun book, the true story of a landscape architect who is in the 5th year of having her own California natural/native firm. Author Kathyrn Phillips follows the the landscape architect through the tribulations of two clients: one residential, the other being Hewlett-Packard. A lot of insight on the process: if you are a professional in the biz or even if you're not, you'll enjoy this book. This book retails for $25.00 but you can buy it at Amazon Books for $17.50 today. Hardcover - 240 pages (February 1998)
Buy Paradise by Design now at Amazon.Com.
ISBN: 0865475199
The Best Plants for Midwest Gardens by Laura Duggan is a book that was definitely written by a master gardener‹probably the m.g. who has to answer the hotline calls. It includes good basic answers on just about every subject‹from conifers to birds to herbs. If you need a general gardening reference, this is a good candidate. It includes good lists of nurseries and gardens to visit. By the way, the Midwest as defined here stretches from Pennsylvania to North Dakota, so don't yet give up your subscription to The Weedpatch Gazette if you want more precision. Retails for $14.95 but you can buy it at Amazon Books for $11.96 today.
ISBN: 1556522843
Geology Underfoot in Illinois by Raymond Wiggers is a book to keep in the car ready for consultations as you drive around Illinois. [I used a similar book when we toured France and it added a lot of understanding to our knowledge of wine and roquefort cheese. Of course, we immediately forgot what we read.] Wiggers (who works at Chalet Nursery in Wilmette, IL) makes geology very readable and interesting: he even offers a tour of downtown Chicago buildings and the rocks from which they're often made. Retails for $15.00 but you can buy it for $12.00 at Amazon Books today.
Buy Geology Underfoot in Illinois at Amazon.
SBN: 087842346X
Perennial All Stars: the 150 Best Perennials for Great Looking, Trouble Free Gardens by Jeff Cox is a likeable book. Each plant receives a two-page spread including two color photos, companion plants, and opinions (Heliopsis helianthoides Summer Sun is best in large masses to brighten up an unused area, a seldom-visited outbuilding, [or] to hide the compost pile...). Pretty good, a keeper. Retails for $29.95 but you can buy it at Amazon Books for $20.97.
Buy Perennial All Stars at Amazon.Com.
ISBN: 0875967809
I've not seen this book, but Wildflowers of Ohio is a full-color guide to 286 species of wildflowers growing throughout Ohio. Written by biologist Robert Henn, its flower photographs are arranged by color and each flower is photographed in its natural habitat. Robert Henn is Professor Emeritus in the Biology Department of Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio. Retails for $14.95 but you can buy it at Amazon Books for $11.96.
Buy Wildflowers of Ohio at Amazon. Com.
ISBN: 0253211670
Essential to your computer bookshelf are two CD's. The only thing that could be better than these would be the one I want to create: all the most opinionated gardening books ever printed, cross-referenced by plant. Now that would be livin! But since I haven't produced a CD yet, please cough up the money for Michael Dirr's Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants and Allan Armitage's Photo-Library of Herbaceous Plants. Each is a 4-volume set with 7,500+ photos of 2,500 species and cultivars. Excellent! ($149.95 each.)
Buy Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants at Amazon.Com.
ISBN: 1890354007Buy Photo-Library of Herbaceous Plants at Amazon.Com
ISBN: 1890354015
Conifers Coming of Age by Susan McLean-Cutler is a wonderful reference book for gardeners with an interest in dwarf and unusual conifers. The book features some 345 photographs of the U.S. Arboretum's [Washington, DC] Gotelli Collection of dwarf and unusual conifers. McLean-Cutler took many of the photos herself, and I particularly like those showing group settings with mature conifers changing through the seasons. There are numbered diagrams next to the group photos, so thereÕs no doubt over the identity of the plants. The reference section includes detailed descriptions and excellent photos of 350 conifers. Good for novice or seasoned collector, this book fills a void in this interesting subject. ‹by Tricia McCoy, Richs Foxwillow Pines Nursery, Woodstock, IL
SBN: 0965471705
**The books below are not yet available at Amazon.Com, but they may be ordered directly as shown.
Longtime TWG subscriber and generally incredible person Pat Armstrong of Prairie Sun Consultants has written and self-published a cookbook called the Wild Plant Family Cookbook on edible wild plants. Taxonomist Floyd Swink will love this book: the recipes are organized by plant family! You have never read such a unique cookbook‹it's 300 pages and includes people's (good or bad) evaluations of the recipes! For example, a taster writes, "If I never had Ostrich Fern Pasta Sauce again I wouldn't be disappointed. Those fiddleheads are best left for the lawnmowers and compost bin." On the other hand, red clover jelly is delicious, and so are GARLIC MUSTARD greens! What a kick! Just $17.25 with postage. Call Pat at (630) 983-8404 or send the check directly to: 612 Staunton Rd., Naperville, IL 60565. She's a wild one, that Pat.
Aquatic Plants of Northeastern Illinois by Linda Curtis has photos and descriptions about our native aquatic plants, including threatened and endangered ones, as well as photos of the true weeds from Eurasia. The book is organized in sections, first by flower color and then with keys to plants not in flower, including illustrations. ($15; Curtis to the Third Productions, PO Box 731, Lake Villa, IL 60046).
The Wild Onion Cookbook is available for a total of $18 by sending a check to--
No. IL Unit, HSA, c/o Liz Farwell, Box 767, Libertyville, IL 60048.
An essential FREEBIE: A new edition of the 64 page, full-color Chicago Wilderness: A Biodiversity Atlas is now available. "Chicago Wilderness" is a consortium of 88 organizations working to protect and restore natural lands in the Chicago region. Call (708) 485-0263 Ext. 396.