Did you know that the smell of sassafras blowing offshore convinced Columbus he was near land? Or that the American sycamore, which has the largest tree trunk in the eastern forest, can live for 500 to 600 years? Or that in the period before the American Revolution, patriots designated a sycamore tree in each colony as a "Liberty Tree" -- a meeting place for plotting against the British? These facts are just a few of thousands you'll find inBotanica North America, an encyclopedia of the wonderfully diverse North American native plants by noted Canadian garden writer Marjorie Harris. This charming compendium is filled with more than 420 entries that provide essential information on each plant's physical attributes, natural history, common uses, and ethnobotany. There are also fascinating, often surprising anecdotes about plants you won't find anywhere else. From the Eastern forest to the desert, this beautifully written volume roves across the continent exploring how climate and plant life have affected, aided, and inspired us, from the first Native Americans to North Americans living in the twenty-first century: "The lonely majesty of a wind-swept jack pine has inspired generations of poets and painters," Harris writes. "These trees endure in spite of terrible weather . . . a jack pine forest has a dense, closed canopy with an understory of cherry, blueberry, hazels, bracken, and sweet fern along with trailing arbutus." Comprehensive and engaging, Botanica North America is also filled with lush photographs of plants in their natural habitat and insightful quotes from a variety of gardening experts and amateurs, from naturalist Rachel Carson to famed conservationist John Muir. Here is a reference no gardener or environmentalist should be without.

Created during Alexander von Humboldt's historic expedition to the Americas and Cuba, these intricate and delicately tinted prints record his revolutionary findings as he traveled through jungles, across rivers, and over mountainous terrain.

Explains the patterns method of plant identification, describing seven key patterns for recognizing more than 45,000 species of plants, and includes an illustrated reference guide to plant families.

This remarkable book reveals the story of 40 of the world's most fascinating plants. The plants are explored through specially selected facsimile texts from the Archives at Kew and expert introductions, as well as exceptional and beautiful illustrations. The Botanical Treasury also includes 40 beautifully reproduced prints of the plants which can then be framed, allowing the reader to truly appreciate these magnificent plants. Written by Kew's experts and curated by Christopher Mills, previously Head of Kew's Library, Art and Archives.

Marjorie Harris is the Canadian Gardener, Her books, The Canadian Gardener's Guide to Foliage and Garden Design, The Canadian Gardener and The Canadian Gardener's Year, combined with her popular Globe and Mail column, regular stints on CBC Radio and her irreverent, down-to-earth have, have turned her into our own national gardening guru.Now in Marjorie Harris' Favorite Garden Tips, she gets down 'n' dirty, revealing a wealth of gardening advice, how-to's and tips that are organized in a quick reference, alphabetical format. Written for the ecologically friendly and economically minded gardener who wants proven, practical advice, Marjorie Harris' Favorite Garden Tips is terrific for both beginners and veteran gardeners.

An unabridged miniature edition of Botanica Magnifica, featuring two hundred and fifty stunning photographs of rare or exotic plants and flowers by the “Audubon of flowers,” Jonathan Singer. First published as an oversized clothbound volume in 2009, Botanica Magnifica has received widespread acclaim from the scientific and artistic communities. In the words of an ARTnews critic, Singer’s flowers and plants, photographed “in large scale and exquisite detail, emerge from the shadows in a manner evocative of Old Master paintings.” Now we are pleased to offer this masterwork of botanical photography as a pocket-sized hardcover book, in our trademarked Tiny Folio format. Mirroring the design of the larger edition, this little volume is organized into five alphabetically arranged sections: (I) Orchidaceae, presenting the full diversity of orchids; (II) Florilegium, portraying the complexity and beauty of flowers; (III) Proteus, illustrating plant forms perfectly adapted for survival; (IV) Zingiberaceae, a tribute to the fascinating ginger family and (V) Botanicus, a selection of beautiful and bizarre specimens from the Smithsonian’s research collection. Each pictured plant is accompanied by a clear and accessible description of its botany, geography, history, and conservation. With its marvelous reproductions and fascinating text, the Tiny Folio of Botanica Magnifica is a charming miniature version of one of the most impressive volumes of natural history ever published.

This reference work explains the grammar and syntax of botanical Latin, and covers the roots and origins of Latin and latinised geographical names, colour terms, symbols and abbreviations, diagnoses and descriptions, and the formation of names and epithets.

Gardening can be frustratingly shrouded in secrecy. Fickle plants make seemingly spontaneous decisions to bloom or bust, seeds sprout magically in the blink of an eye, and deep-rooted mysteries unfold underground and out of sight. Understanding basic botany is like unlocking a horticultural code; fortunately learning a little science can reveal the secrets of the botanical universe and shed some light on what’s really going on in your garden. Practical Botany for Gardeners provides an elegant and accessible introduction to the world of botany. It presents the essentials that every gardener needs to know, connecting explanations of scientific facts with useful gardening tips. Flip to the roots section and you’ll not only learn how different types of roots support a plant but also find that adding fungi to soil aids growth. The pruning section both defines “lateral buds” and explains how far back on a shoot to cut in order to propagate them. The book breaks down key areas and terminology with easy-to-navigate chapters arranged by theme, such as plant types, plant parts, inner workings, and external factors. “Great Botanists” and “Botany in Action” boxes delve deeper into the fascinating byways of plant science. This multifaceted book also includes two hundred botanical illustrations and basic diagrams that hearken to the classic roots of botany. Part handbook, part reference, Practical Botany for Gardeners is a beautifully captivating read. It’s a must for garden lovers and backyard botanists who want to grow and nurture their own plant knowledge.