Ferns to Know and Grow [Illustrated] [Paperback]

F. Gordon Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 9, 2009

Known through several editions simply as "the fern bible," this classic covers identification, propagation, cultivation, and landscape uses of ferns. The heart of the book is a selection of 132 hardy and tender species suitable for gardens in various climates or in the greenhouse.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Known through several editions simply as "the fern bible," this classic covers identification, propagation, cultivation, & landscape uses of ferns. The heart of the book is a selection of 132 hardy & tender species suitable for gardens in various climates or in the greenhouse.

About the Author

In a feature article about F. Gordon Foster and his role in making ferns more widely appreciated among American gardeners, Horticulture magazine referred to this book as "the volume gardeners everywhere acknowledge as the 'fern bible'. It is full of practical information on culture and propagation distilled from forty years experience with a wide range of ferns."  This book should be in the library of every gardener - outdoor and indoor - shade gardener, rock gardener, and woodland gardener-for no true plant lover can resist the appeal of these fascinating and lovely plants.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; 2 edition (July 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088192234X
• ISBN-13: 978-0881922349
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 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: #851,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Belongs in the fern-collector's library, October 28, 2002

By 

Kirby Adams (Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ferns to Know and Grow (Paperback)

Foster's book delivers what it advertises. It is both an old-fashioned identification book and resource for shade and woodland gardeners. The beginning of the book covers necessary information about biology, natural history, cultivation, and propagation of ferns. The rest of the book is a collection of detailed species descriptions with line drawings accompanying each. The book concludes with a comprehensive chart covering the highlights of all species covered in the book.

This book loses a star due to the lack of photos in the identification section. There are black and white photos in the early sections of the book, but the species descriptions have only line drawings. This gives the book the feel of a traditional botanist's identification guide, but photos would increased the utility of the ID section.