The Encyclopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance - Hardcover

DeBaggio, Thomas; Tucker, Arthur O.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0881929948 ISBN 13: 9780881929942

Publisher: Timber Press, 2009

Synopsis

This meticulously researched compendium provides every aspect of growing, identifying, harvesting, preserving, and using more than 500 species of herbs. Thorough profiles provide a plant's botanical name and family, whether it is an annual or perennial, its height, hardiness, light requirements, water consumption, required soil type, and pH. The often fascinating history of the plant, the chemistry of its essential oils, and its culinary, landscape, and craft uses are also included, as is advice on how to propagate.

For the first edition of their work, both authors received The Gertrude B. Foster Award for Excellence in Herbal Literature from the Herb Society of America. This new edition adds important species and includes updated nomenclature.

About this title

About the Author

DeBaggio's Herb Farm and Nursery, founded by Thomas DeBaggio in Arlington, VA in 1975 and now located in Chantilly, VA, is a celebration of herbs both classic and new ― and the people who love them. DeBaggio wrote extensively for leading gardening and herb magazines, including The Herb Companion until diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 1999. He is also the author of Growing Herbs from Seed Cutting and Root: An Adventure in Small Miracles, and, with Susan Belsinger, The Basil Book: An Herb Lover's Guide. In 2000, DeBaggio passed his legacy on to his son, Francesco and wrote two books on his experiences with the early stages of his disease. He died in 2011.

From Booklist

This is the second edition of the Big Book of Herbs (Interweave Press, 2000), which received an award for Excellence in Herbal Literature from the Herb Society of America. The new edition has the same format and text but with some additions and updates. Each of the 500 profiles provides information on growing, identifying, harvesting, and preserving herbs. The entries also give the history of the plant and its uses in landscapes, cooking, and crafts. The majority of entries are accompanied by line drawings of the herb. There are also detailed chapters on herb cultivation, propagation, and growing conditions. About 20 percent of the volume contains “selected references,” a number of which have been updated for this edition. The encyclopedia is definitely a scholarly reference source for botanists, but it will also be of interest to the weekend gardener. A recommended purchase for horticulture collections and especially libraries that do not own the first edition. --Christine Bulson

About this edition

• Publisher: Timber Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0881929948
• ISBN 13: 9780881929942
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 604