Bulletproof Flowers for the South [Hardcover]

Jim Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Bulletproof Flowers for the South illustrates how to plant, grow, and care for a large variety of hardy Southern flowers. Including an A-Z encyclopedia of Southern favorites and twenty comprehensive lists of favorite flowers from expert nurseries around the South, this beautifully illustrated book presents superior long-blooming, heat-resistant flowers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Wilson is the former cohost of PBS TV's Victory Garden. Bulletproof flowers, he explains, are plants able to withstand the extreme heat and humidity of the summer South, which includes all the states from Virginia west through southeastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas; lowland parts of Kentucky and the southern edge of Missouri; and everything south of Virginia except from central Florida on down. Wilson tells gardeners how to minimize the impact of heat and humidity by improving the soil, mulching, creating shade structures, and weeding. He also discusses growing flowers and herbs in containers. There is an encyclopedia of more than 100 flowers recommended by Wilson and a list of flowers and foliage plants recommended by--in Wilson's words--southern experts. Full-color photographs appear throughout the text. George Cohen

Review

Bulletproof Flowers for the South...is one that all gardeners in northern or north central Florida should have available, especially, but not limited to, newcomers. Wilson talks to us in his easy style about southern gardens and their needs, addressing ways in which newcomers can learn, and actual places to go for information. (The Florida Gardener )

Bulletproof Flowers for the South...is one that all gardeners in northern or north central Florida should have available, especially, but not limited to, newcomers. Wilson talks to us in his easy style about southern gardens and their needs, addressing ways in which newcomers can learn, and actual places to go for information. (The Florida Gardener )

This is a great gardening primer for new southern gardeners, whether they are new to the area or new to gardening. (Ornamental Outlook )

If your flower beds are an embarassment in August, this is the book for you. (Walter Reeves Atlantic Journal Constitution )

... an invaluable resource ... (Sun News )

... a beautiful book ... (Roanoke Times )

... reveals dozens of heat-loving blossoms that gardeners below the Mason-Dixon line can enjoy through a summer of 100-plus-degree days. (Active Years )

... a must-have guide ... (Colorado, Springs Gazette )

... handy and colorful ... a book every Southern gardener should have .... (Huntsville Times )

... pleasant down-home writing ... (Times-Picayune )

... perfectly in tune with horticultural needs ... for the new millennium's global warming. (Hortideas )

At last, a book celebrating flowers that do best in the South's heat and humidity. (Lexington Herald-Leader )

... gives the right amount of information for most gardeners, novice to experienced ... (Dallas Morning News )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878332456
• ISBN-13: 978-0878332458
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,846,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Specifically addresses heat/humidity tolerances., July 15, 2001

By 

"vera_lynn" (Southeastern VA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bulletproof Flowers for the South (Hardcover)

"Bulletproof Flowers for the South" --now there's a title! My first thought was this ridiculous image of Hatfields and McCoys with a bunch of flowers strapping on Kevlar between them, but the title is actually remarkably apt. This is a book of *survivors*, flowers that can stand up to the brutal temperatures and humidity of the Sweltering South.

"Bulletproof Flowers" is a dictionary-style reference on heat/humidity tolerant garden plants for gardeners living from Virginia on south, and west to Eastern Texas. Most entries include common name, scientific name, cultivar where particular varieties are prefferable, height-width specs, and a picture of the plant, along with basics of sun tolerance and miscellaneous tips on habit and cultivation. It rates plants on a relatively new "heat hardiness" scale, as well as listing the more traditional cold "hardiness zones," and includes a great deal of information based on the author's personal experiences working with the various species and cultivars. The author is clearly an experienced gardener, and in many ways this book reads like a close friend's cherished recipe box, passed along in a moment of rare generosity.

As the title suggests, the author has an easy-going sense of humor that shines thoughout the book, making it very accessible reading. It doesn't get deeply technical about cultivation of individual species, but it does contain a great deal of useful information at the front about preparing your soil with an eye to the unique challenges found in our region and climate. Probably my biggest gripe about the book is its heavy reliance on common names --which many people will consider a plus-- and the quality of the pictures. Based on the quality, I can't help wondering if this is home photography. They generally give a decent sense of the flower, but are often fuzzy, and sometimes so busy that you are not actually sure which flower is being featured. There are some useful lists in the back for various geographic areas, and the author is not shy about mentioning his favorite distributors.

Overall, I found this to be an excellent resource: I live in southeastern Virginia (northern region of Zone 8), and have had the opportunity to grow a great many of the plants he discusses and found myself basically in agreement on all points. For the ones I have not tried, I will definitely keep his opinions in mind. I think this book is well worth the price and is an excellent purchase for anyone trying to get a handle on low-maintenance, high impact southern gardening (remember, we're talking any hot & humid state, so that includes places like the lowlands of Kentucky and some of Oklahoma as well). Bear in mind however that this is targeted information focusing on climate considerations. If you are looking for a general plant cultivation reference, you may want to consider something else.