Customer Reviews

How to Grow Wildflowers and Wild Shrubs and Trees in Your Own Garden (Horticulture Garden Classic)

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First point: This is a reprint of an excellent, early book (originally published in 1976) that should be read by all lovers of wild plants (in the field and in the garden). Second point: The title is somewhat misleading. This is NOT a primer on how to collect, propogate, cultivate and design with native plants in the garden. While it is filled with interesting and useful information on the plants it describes, those looking for pictorial, step-by-step, truly "how-to" information should consult other reference books. It also focuses on plants found in the mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., so readers in other areas may find even less useful information for their own gardens.

All hint of misleading titles aside, however, this is a great book to read for one man's perspective on environmental destruction and salvation. Written by Mr. Bruce during a transition period in our environmentalist evolution - between the ecology/flower child movements of the 1960s and early 70s (remember the closed, green "E"?) and the rise of the prairie restoration, Nature Conservancy, rainforest protection, and other highly-organized, politically-correct movements of the 1980s and 90s - it is a plea for people to open their eyes to the beauty and potential loss of the environments that surround them. Using the changing seasons as his backdrop, Mr. Bruce takes us with him on a year-long, three-times-per-week, 90-mile commute through the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia countryside that he refers to as "Delmarva". He tells us about the flora and fauna he sees on these drives, and then goes into great description of their attributes, their relationship to the environment, and the history of their development and distribution. He then shares idea for how these plant materials can not only be preserved from destruction, but how they can be best used in our own gardens, large and small.

Throughout, the author writes with a passionate, personal, engaging perspective on these plants and the people that protect them, never hesitating to criticize plant features he dislikes, but glowing in praise of their attributes and value. It is an enjoyable read, a four-season visit to a beautiful place, with an excellent traveling companion.

By far the best advice about growing wild trees, shrubs and flowers native to the eastern United States. For anyone who wants to naturalize woodland borders or ponds, streamsides and meadows, or who simply wants to grow beautiful native plants that are available from specialty nurseries but not often found in neighborhood garden centers. The description of wild, fragrant native azaleas is unsurpassed. Because Hal Bruce's personal experience was in gardens of the Mid-Atlantic states, his understanding of plants and habitats is particularly useful for gardeners in the Atlantic coastal plain.

I have not read this entire book, but perused enough to have concerns - beginning with the cover. The flower pictured is Nigella damascena and it is NOT a North American native. Many people are confused about Wildflowers/Natives. They are not interchangeable words. Although the author does not use the term "native" in his title I see that other people reviewing this book are - adding to the confusion. Just my thoughts :)