Mints: A Family Of Herbs And Ornamentals - Softcover

Lawton, Barbara Perry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881927066 ISBN 13: 9780881927061

Publisher: Timber Pr, 2005

Synopsis

Mints: A Family of Herbs and Ornamentals is the first book to survey the entire mint family (Lamiaceae or Labiatae), which includes a surprising variety of plants long valued for their herbal and ornamental uses, from rosemary to lavender to peppermint. Most family members are easily identified as such - in fact, the mints were one of the first plant families to be recognized - because of their distinctively lipped, often attractive flowers, square stems, opposite leaves, and volatile oils that make many fragrant or flavorful. Most mints are easy to grow, sometimes notoriously so, and highly resistant to pests and diseases, which adds to their garden value.
Written in a friendly and accessible style, the book features chapters on history and lore, modern uses, cultivation, and distinctive characteristics and classification, a catalog of species and cultivars in 67 genera, and a glossary. Among the genera discussed are Ajuga (bugleweed), Calamintha (calamint), Lavandula (lavender), Mentha (mint), Nepeta (catmint), Ocimum (basil), Origanum (oregano), Rosmarinus (rosemary), Salvia (sage), Satureja (savory), Teucrium (germander), and Thymus (thyme).
Mints will be a fascinating book for anyone interested in herbs, whether for their culinary value or their ornamental offerings. Both professional and amateur gardeners will benefit from this concise, factual, and informative treatment of the mint family, which is sure to have a place on every herb enthusiast's bookshelf.

About this title

About the Author

Barbara Perry Lawton, an award-winning writer, author, speaker, and photographer, has over 1,500 published articles to her credit. She currently writes for Gateway Gardener and Outdoor Guide and for nearly 20 years contributed a weekly column to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She has written several gardening books, including Magic of Irises, which was nominated for an American Horticultural Society Award, and most recently Parsleys, Fennels, and Queen Anne's Lace. She has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography, and has served as president of the Garden Writers Association. In 2004 she was named a "'Woman of Worth"' by the Older Women's League, and in 2006, she was named one of "'24 Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans"' by St. Andrews Resources for Seniors. Just recently, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Missouri Affiliate of National Federated Press Women. Barbara currently volunteers as a Master Gardener at the Plant Doctor Desk and Horticultural Answer Service at Missouri Botanical Garden, is a member of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Stream Team, and is an editor of Cape Albeon's Cottage Review.

Edition details

• Publisher: Timber Pr
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0881927066
• ISBN 13: 9780881927061
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 239