Customer Reviews

Passalong Plants

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received this book for Christmas and it was my favorite gift. The moment I opened it I read it cover-to-cover--although that took quite some time. It is written by two very different, but very knowledgable authors, Steve Bender and Felder Rushing. The essays on the different plants are written by either Bender or Rushing. Rushing's essays are donw-to-earth and friendly while Bender's are downright funny at times (just read his hilarious description of why no one grows old purple phlox). Another good attribute this book possesses besides its talented authors is its frequent use of more familiar common names than hard-to-pronounce, ever-changing Latin ones. That fragrant, night-blooming vine that climbed up your grandmother's porch is not Ipomoea alba, but moonvine. And the powderpuff pink flowers that blossomed by your great aunt's white picket fence are no longer Cleome hasslerana, but spiderlegs. If you are a Southern gardener who loves those old-fashioned plants that are ripe with nostalgia, or any gardener at all for that matter, you simply have to buy this book. It combines the easy-to-understand, entertaining writing of two talented authors and those evocative plant names you grew up with.

I read this book last fall and this spring I was invited to share the many plants growing at an old mansion in my river town. What a pleasureable day in the camaraderie of friends. I don't know the names of many of the plants as the property owner picked them up (stashed in plastic bags) as she travelled the world. So now among my named and tagged plants I have The Cincinnati Lily, Alice's Rose, and Aunt Georgia's Pink Phlox among others. Passalong Plants is a fun read that will have you trading plants with everyone you meet.-Linda Fry Kenzle, author of Gathering

I LOVED this book-it is witty,funny and very informative. I never knew what type of gardener I was until I read this book.The two authors have very different styles and personalities but together they make the book mesh and come up with a great read.

I can't say I know Steve Bender, but Felder Rushing is a very popular fellow in Jackson, MS. He seems to display his unique personality everywhere he goes. Well, he has come out with a few books now and his personality and unique love for plants is shown in great detail from a personal point of view. If you want to know how to properly propagate a specific plant in multiple ways this is not for you, but if you want a book for general information about some real good down home southern plants this is the book for you.

This is an incredible book, it is very amusing to read and full of useful information. The writers passion for the subject is readily evident and its hard to put this book down. I was surprised at how many plants I recognized from my childhood, but as an adult, had not seen in the large commercial nurseries/super stores. Each listing contains the botanical name if you need to reference additional information, and there are sources to order plants and seeds. If you need a cut and dry reference purchase the American Horticultural Society's A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, use Passalong Plants to narrow your selection. Perfect book if you are looking for plants that are drought resistant and natural to an area.

Unlike other members of my family. I have not inherited the green thumb. This book is fabulous if you live in the south. This book lets you know which plants can be started from others. Propagating plants either from cuttings or seeds can help you have a good deal of money.

This book is mostly geared for those of us who live in the south. While there are other plants mentioned, I think you would be better served if you live in the south. I like that this book broke plants down into types, and areas that they typically do best in. This way your not having to play any guessing games about what may grow best in your area.

If you are fond of of heirloom plants, this book is ideal for you, as it has many plants that are of older stock. It also gives you ideas for sources as well as sources for these older variety of plants. This book also tells you how to propigate the plants and make more!

This is a great resource. My only personal drawback is that while their are pictures for 80% or more of what is mentioned in the book. I am not plant savvy and when their isn't a picture, I have no idea what plant they are talking about. Do not let that stop you though, this is a great resource, and my garden will benefit from this book greatly!

A wonderful book that I will use over and over through the years!

This book was delightful in many respects. I learned alot about plants that have been around forever and "shared" with other plant lovers! I will keep this book to read and re-read. Also liked the pictures and especially the stories.

(J~(BPassalong Plants was one of the first gardening books I read and it is still one of my favorites. But then I live in a neighborhood that is obviously inspired by the same aesthetic and sense of humor--one of small southern cottages, few lawns, pink flamingoes, and bottle trees.

If you want to pretend you creating the next Sissinghurst, read Penelope Hobhouse. And if you need technical "how to" read any of Taylor's guides. But if you live in the hot and humid south and need to know about(J~(B(J~(B tough plants that are easy to propagate and require little maintenance AND you ain't afraid to laugh out loud...this might well become one of your favorite books, too.(J~(B

Although I enjoyed the book for casual reading, it was very short on both pictures and specific plant care info. The authors seem to enjoy commenting on the plants that they have included but 'Passalong Plants' is not for you if you are looking for technical information. I wanted it to tell me specifically how to divide, the best time to harvest passalong plants and give good drawings/photos of the plants listed. One of the more disappointing purchases I have made on Amazon.