The Plant Hunter's Garden: The New Explorers and Their Discoveries

Bobby J. Ward

ISBN 10: 0881926965 / ISBN 13: 9780881926965

Published by Timber Pr, 2004

May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0881926965I4N00

Synopsis:

Many gardeners are vaguely aware of the "greats" of plant exploration, such as E. H. Wilson, George Forrest, or John Tradescant. Fewer may know the names of today's plant explorers or recognize the makings of a new golden age of plant discovery. Nonetheless, a quick visit to almost any nursery will reveal the bounty of these intrepid plant collectors, whose handiwork enriches gardens everywhere. The Plant Hunter's Garden profiles 32 of today's more prolific plant hunters. From the Czech Republic to the Rocky Mountains, Bobby Ward has sought out those explorers in the private sphere who are collecting plants specifically for horticultural introduction. While providing interesting details on the lives and careers of these new explorers, the real focus of the book is on the plants themselves. Ward asked each of the hunters to choose the very best treasures from their years of collecting, and has sumptuously illustrated these jewels in stunning photos. Many plants in these pages became bestsellers quickly after introduction from the wild, but hundreds more underappreciated gems are sure to entice and surprise any reader of this book. From the comfort of the armchair or the potting-shed table, readers of The Plant Hunter's Garden can embark on their own voyages of discovery in these delightful pages.

About the Author: Bobby J. Ward is past president of the North American Rock Garden Society. He has a degree in plant physiology, received his PhD in botany from North Carolina State University, and is a retired environmental scientist. A dedicated gardener, he has long been interested in plant names and plant lore. His book A Contemplation Upon Flowers won the Quill & Trowel Award of the Garden Writers Association. Bobby grew up on a farm in eastern North Carolina where his early interest in native plants started with observing the plants around him. In college, he had the opportunity to learn more about general biology, including botany, becoming interested in it as a career. He began his professional life as an environmental scientist working for 25 years at a major electrical power company. During these years, Bobby drifted toward horticulture and gardening as an avocation, so when he retired he already had his next career as an author and gardener in place. Bobby has traveled to Chile, Canada, the U.K., Mexico, South Africa, the Czech Republic, and extended regions of the United States to interview modern explorers and to see the landscape and locations where they do their species collecting. In his spare time, Bobby enjoys reading, traveling, and a sweet, peaceful dedication to his private gardens.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Plant Hunter's Garden: The New Explorers...
Publisher: Timber Pr
Publication Date: 2004
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket