Customer Reviews

Lavender: The Grower's Guide

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author, Virginia McNaughton, is a botanist, and this book is lavender from a botanist's point of view. Her descriptions of each variety are long on botanical terminology and measurements, and short on information that would help gardeners choose and grow lavender.

Here is an example of an entry, this one for Lavendula angustifolia 'Maillette': A medium plant (60-70cm) of bushy habit with semi-open, mid-green foliage. Penduncles are long (18-25cm), mid-green and upright. There are usually medium-stemmed laterals terminated with one to three flowers. Spikes are long(12-18cm), cylindric and mostly evenly interrupted, with the base whorl 1-7cm below the main spike. Fertile bracts are large and quite long. Bracteoles are thin (1-2 mm). Corollas are violet-blue (93C), calyces are finely pubescent and green, with the upper half dark violet (86A). A very attractive cultivar raised in France and introduced by Pierre Grosso, 'Maillette' is suitable for ornamental, fragrant and oil purposes.

The first section of the book is useful, with information on propagation, pruning, and diseases. But that is only the first 20 pages. The rest of the book consists of descriptions like the above.

Also the author lives in New Zealand, and there is no information on growing lavender in the various climates of the United States.

AT LAST SOME HAS WRITTEN A DEFINITIVE BOOK ABOUT LAVENDERS AND THEIR GROWTH. YES, THIS IS A TECHNICAL BOOK BUT EVEN THE NON BOTANY LOVERS WILL FIND IT EASY TO USE. VARIETIES ARE NAMED, ALONG WITH ALL THEIR OTHER NAMES, PICTURED AND EXPLAINED. AFTER READING THIS YOU KNOW WHY GROSSO AND DILLY DILLY LOOK ALIKE. THIS IS A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK AND THE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS MAKE IT AN IDEAL COFFEE TABLE BOOK. IF LAVENDER HANDICRAFTS ARE YOUR THING, THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU

From the cover photo to the bibliography many of the questions I had about lavender were answered. Ms. McNaughton explained the different parts of the lavender plant with very clear language and photographs. I found the diversity of color and size captivating and inspiring. The author covered the many sections and cultivars of lavender clearly and in a logical order that was easy to follow. This is a book for the person who wants to have more in-depth knowledge of lavender's identification and diversity. You will be inspired to expand your garden from the more common purples to pinks and whites in various hues. I have several books written about lavender, but this book has become a most welcome and valuable addition.

This is a lovely book full of in-depth information about different types of lavender with beautiful, detailed pictures. It's a great reference source, but works equally well as a coffee table book because it is so stunning to look at. I have only one minor criticism of this book and that is that it doesn't go into enough detail about the Lanata hybrids that seem to do well in our hot, dry southern California climate. I would have liked to have seen more pictures of these particular lavenders (there are a few, but not that many) and would have enjoyed learning more about them.

Lavender blue, dilly dilly, lavender green, If I were king, dilly dilly, I'd need a queen. Congratulations must go to Virginia McNaughton for she must be the queen of Lavender. What an incredible book she has provided for all lavender enthusiasts. Photo after photo and description after description  both tickles and satisfies our curiosity.  So many questions are answered in this book that each time it is reread there is another bit of enlightening information that makes you go' ah ha! now I get it'. A botanist, Ms. McNaughton has provided us with specific detailed descriptions of the plant's origins, the proper botanical nomenclature, the color of the flowers AND the foliage, and special pruning and growing requirements.  She has broken the groups of lavenders up into sections and listed the specifics for that group, for example the Lavandula angustifolias, as well as, the multitude of named varieties that belong to that group. Also of great help are the other common names a plant may be called.  For instance, Dilly, Dilly is a common name of Lavandula x intermedia Grosso.  The only draw back to this book is that when you are finished reading it you just have to have all the lavenders she describes. So many lavenders so little time.

If you are looking for indepth information or good reference material, this is the book for you. No fluff here. Botanical info is clear and concise. As growers, we use this book as reference material on a regular basis. Well worth the money. Would love to see more of this caliber. The only draw back is that several of the varieties listed are not available here in the U.S..

Lavender: The Grower's Guide is a complete, practical, "gardener friendly" guide to growing one of the most important of all the herbs. Virginia McNaughton covers every aspect of planting and raising lavenders and includes a wealth of information on their history, botany, garden cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases, classification, species and cultivars, as well as lavender growing around the world. Highly recommended for personal, professional gardening/horticultural reference collections, Lavender: The Grower's Guide is enhanced with superb color photography throughout and is ideal for landscaping inspiration.

In my opinion, Virginia McNaughton's book, Lavender the growers guide is a very good book. However, the title may mislead buyers into thinking it is a "how to" book, which it isn't really. It provides excellent detailed information on classification of lavender, but does not provided a great deal of information on actually growing it. Since there are numerous other sources on the ins and outs of growing of lavender, but few, if any others, that provide this level of detail on classification of lavender, it provides a unique contribution to the field, albeit a bit esoteric for the average gardner.

A beautiful survey of lavender reviews the genus and outlines all the growing information the professional grower would need. From its history and botany to identification of cultivars and lavender's care and propagation, this packs in detail and specifics along with many color photos.

Very disappointed with this one. Although the author is quite knowledgeable about the subject matter, for the lay person, too much of the book is dedicated to the description of each cultivar, etc. Not enough attention given to propagation and care for the average gardener.

The book is written in a very condescending way and I felt that the author is a bit "out of touch" with the rest of us who are interested in lavender but do not need to know the anatomy of each species. There are certainly more enjoyable books out there on the subject that are a pleasure to add to your home library--this is NOT one of them.