From The Bookshelf

Flower & Garden Magazine, April, 1999 by Amy Engelhardt

As spring approaches, we often find ourselves in a reflective mood. This is the time for imagining all of the wonderful things this summer will bring. This month's book selections allow for reflection and inspiration -- just the things to prepare you for another year in the garden.

"Garden Dreams: A Scrapbook for Gardeners" (Chronicle Books, 1999; $19.95; 142 pages) with notes by Georgeanne Brennan and illustrations by Leigh Wells, is full of hints, advice and resources. Of course, there is plenty of room for scrapbook material and journal writing. The book also contains five envelopes for storing your clippings from magazines, seed catalogs, newsletters or whatever you like. "Garden Dreams" is sure to be helpful in your seasonal planning, while also fostering a written and visual history of your garden ideas.

Often, the story of a garden reveals the history of the gardener as well. Starr Ockenga tells the stories of 18 women and their gardens in "Earth On Her Hands: The American Woman in Her Garden" (Clarkson N. Potter Inc., 1998; $55; 240 pages). Ockenga explores gardens in-cluding everything from flowers and vegetables, to bonsai plants, woodland paths, water features, stonework and more. Readers will certainly find inspiration in these women's gardens -- and their lives.

Often, the passion for gardening is passed from generation to generation -- and with heirloom seeds, favorite plants can span those generations. Roger Yepsen's "A Celebration of Heirloom Vegetables: Growing and Cooking Old-Time Varieties" (Artisan, 1998; $35; 192 pages) documents some of the history behind heirlooms while also giving tips on growing, harvesting and saving seeds.

The book is not only useful, but aesthetically pleasing with more than 60 recipes and 50 beautiful watercolor illustrations. If you plant one of these "living antiques," you'll also be planting a piece of history.

Most people know their birthstone, but how many know their birthflower? Discover your birthflower in "Birthflowers of the Landscape: Mystical Secrets to Year-Round Color in Your Garden" (Commercial Publishing Network, 1998; $19.95; 128 pages) by Linton Wright McKnight. The book includes information on each flower's culture, availability and "mystique" (how each flower's characteristics reflect the personality of people with that birth month). McKnight also includes gardening tips for each plant and basic landscaping information for year-round color. Birthflowers make perfect birthday gifts, whether you give the book, a birthflower plant or both!

Finally, to create a relaxing, meditative atmosphere, add a little water to your garden environment with Ethne Clarke's "Water Features for Small Gardens" (Ward Lock and Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 1998; $27.95; 128 pages). This book is filled with creative water projects for small gardens; try a fountain, spout or informal pool. These water features could bring some cool, soothing afternoons to your summer.