Reviews by Judith Millar


















Botany in a Day—The Patterns method of Plant Identification

Thomas J. Elpel’s Guide to Plant Families of North America 5th Edition, 2008 by Hops Press,
LLC

Don’t know the difference between the Rosaceae and Ranunculaceae families?  Can’t tell
Marsh Marigold and Marshmallow apart?  Don’t want to spend a year deciphering the
divisions and subdivisions of the plant world?  Then this book is for you!  More than 200
pages of plant family info are presented in a fun and easy format, with many detailed line
drawings.   Using the principle that related plants have similar patterns for identification,
as well as having similar uses, Thomas Elpel demystifies plant ID techniques in a step by
step process.  While it may take more than 24 hours to master, you’ll be well on your way
to becoming a wizard of botanical nomenclature!

_______________________________________________


















The Pronouncing Dictionary of Plant Names

American Nurserymen Publishing Co. 2006


And after you’ve correctly identified all those plants, wouldn't it be nice
to pronounce their Latin names correctly?  More than 3000 tongue-twisting,
jaw breaking Latin plant names are phonetically spelled and succinctly defined in
this little 93 page gem of a pocket reference.
Whip it out at Garden Club gatherings.  Impress your friends and
annoy your enemies as these formerly intimidating names roll effortlessly off your tongue.
Member Book Reviews
Review by Art Martello

On my bookshelves I have lots of gardening books and magazines. It seems,
however,  that whenever I need to know something about a plant that I
cannot find in the other books or just general information about  a specific
plant, this is the book I always come back to. It is a great reference book for
all sorts of plants, shrubs, trees, indoor, outdoor, etc. Not sure what changes
from the original version are, but from what the reviews on Amazon are
saying is that it is even better than before.  If that's the case, then it must be
spectacular. This book has it all.
If you don't already have it, you should.












The All New Illustrated Guide to Gardening
Readers Digest Publication
The years 10 best gardening books from Boston.com
Gardening section
Agnes Freas suggested this book. Click the photo for a summary and sample. Agnes also
recommends the magazines Fine Gardening and Garden Gate.
Counter
The 2 books listed below were discussed at the March 6 lecture on native plants by Francis Groeters. Click the links below to take
you to Amazon and get a preview of these books.