It would be wrong to describe this book as merely a reference book. With lush illustrations borrowed from the likes of Gregor Johann Mendel, Luther Burbank, Vera Scarth-Johnson, and many other world renowned botanical artists; browsing through the pages of this book seems a bit more like wandering through an art gallery.
The beautiful drawings are paired with comprehensive discussions and references about the plant kingdom, reproduction, soil quality, rainwater, plant nutrition, plant growth and development, photosynthesis, pruning, pests, diseases, and more. There is a chapter on how plants see light, sense scents and vibrations. Author Geoff Hodge quotes famous broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough:
“Plants can see. They can count and communicate with one another. They are able to react to the slightest touch and to estimate time with extraordinary precision.”
– David Attenborough
Hodge goes on to say that, “This may seem fanciful, but the more botanists learn about plants, the more they discover just how intimately plants are able to sense their environment.”
Whether someone is just beginning to learn about the world of botany or is already wise in the ways of plants; this practical, beautiful book – with its fine paper and bound-in ribbon page marker, would be wonderful gift.
Practical Botany for Gardeners Over 3,000 Botanical Terms Explained and Explored By Geoff Hodge 2013 The University of Chicago, 244 pages
