Flowers and Herbs of Early America - Hardcover

Griffith, Lawrence

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300145365 ISBN 13: 9780300145366

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2008

Synopsis

A detailed look at early American flowers and herbs, with expert advice on creating a garden with historically accurate plants

Hounds-tongue. Ragged robin. Costmary. Pennyroyal. All-heal. These plants, whose very names conjure up a bygone world, were among the great variety of flowers and herbs grown in America’s colonial and early Federal gardens. In this sumptuously illustrated book, a leading historic plant expert brings this botanical heritage back to life.

Drawing on years of archival research and field trials in Colonial Williamsburg’s gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, Lawrence Griffith documents fifty-six species of flowers and herbs and provides details on how they were cultivated and used. For each plant, an elegant period hand-colored engraving, watercolor, or woodcut is presented along with glorious new photographs by Barbara Temple Lombardi.

This book is a dazzling treat for armchair gardeners and for those who have visited and admired the famous gardens of Colonial Williamsburg. It is also an invaluable companion for twenty-first-century gardeners who will appreciate the specific advice of a master gardener on how to plan, choose appropriate species for, and maintain a beautiful, historic flower and herb garden.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a not-for-profit educational institution that operates the world’s largest living history museum.

About this title

About the Author:

Lawrence Griffith is curator of plants for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and former garden columnist for the Daily Press, Newport News, VA. He lives on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia. Barbara Temple Lombardi is a photographer for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She lives in Williamsburg, VA.

Review:

"Gardeners enamored with heirloom seed collecting and what it tells us about our ancestors' gardens might enjoy Flowers and Herbs of Early America. . . . The book is a beautiful compendium of cottage garden flowers, many of which have medicinal properties and are easy to grow."―Anne Raver, New York Times (Favorite garden books of the year) (Anne Raver New York Times 2008-12-11)

"Basically cottage garden plants from the New and Old worlds, they all have a humble honesty about them, drawn out in the lovely photographic portraits by Barbara Temple Lombardi. Some will be as familiar to us as our forebears . . . others remain delightfully novel. I can't wait to get seed of some of them to try myself."―Adrian Higgins, Washington Post (Adrian Higgins Washington Post 2008-12-11)

This book is a dazzling treat for armchair gardeners and for those who have visited and admired the famous gardens of Colonial Williamsburg. It is also an invaluable companion for 21st century gardeners who will appreciate the specific advice of a master gardener on how to plan, choose appropriate species for, and maintain a beautiful, historic flower and herb garden."―The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles (The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles 2008-11-01)

"As curator of plants at Colonial Williamsburg, Lawrence Griffith draws on years of archival research and field trials to inform the content of this magnificent book. The multilayers of information―inspirational gardening quotations, details on habit, tips for growing and period engravings, watercolors and woodcuts―provide provocative visual counterparts to the stunning photography by Barbara Temple Lombardi."―Patty Craft, Horticulture Magazine (Patty Craft Horticulture Magazine 2009-01-01)

"Georgeous photos, interesting plant discussions, practical cultivation advice, medical uses, and glimpses into plant history are all part of this coffee table book. . . . Looking for a luxurious gift for a gardener? This is my first choice. The photos are magical even for non-gardeners and the text is a joy to read. . . . All this and it looks good on the coffee table!"―Cheval Force Opp, Washington Gardener (Cheval Force Opp Washington Gardener 2009-01-01)

"Gardeners will appreciate the advice provided on planting the seed, choosing appropriate species, and maintaining a beautiful period garden. . . . Recommended."―Choice (Choice 2009-02-01)

"Any gardener would love to have this book on his or her library shelf. . . . Early America never looked or read so first-class." ―Anne K. Moore, GardenSMART (Anne K. Moore GardenSMART 2009-03-27)

"Gorgeous photos, interesting plant discussions, practical cultivation advice, medical uses, and glimpses into plant history . . . a luxurious gift for a gardener. . . . The photos are magical even for non-gardeners and the text is a joy to read . . ."―Cheval Force Opp, Washington Gardener

(Cheval Force Opp Washington Gardener)

"The multilayers of information―inspirational gardening quotations, details on habit, tips for growing and period engravings, watercolors and woodcuts―provide provocative visual counterparts to the stunning photography by Barbara Temple Lombardi."―Patty Craft, Horticulture Magazine (Patty Craft Horticulture Magazine 2009-01-01)

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0300145365
• ISBN 13: 9780300145366
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304