FLOWER CONFIDENTIAL : THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

Award-winning author Amy Stewart takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes look at the flower industry and how it has sought—for better or worse—to achieve perfection. She tracks down the hybridizers, geneticists, farmers, and florists working to invent, manufacture, and sell flowers that are bigger, brighter, and sturdier than anything nature can provide. There's a scientist intent on developing the first genetically modified blue rose; an eccentric horitcultural legend who created the most popular lily; a breeder of gerberas of every color imaginable; and an Ecuadorean farmer growing exquisite roses, the floral equivalent of a Tiffany diamond. And, at every turn she discovers the startling intersection of nature and technology, of sentiment and commerce.

Biography

Amy Stewart is the author of seven books. Her latest, Girl Waits With Gun, is a novel based on a true story. She has also written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including four New York Times bestsellers: The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential. She lives in Eureka, California, with her husband Scott Brown, who is a rare book dealer. They own a bookstore called Eureka Books. The store is housed in a classic nineteenth-century Victorian building that Amy very much hopes is haunted.

Stewart has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many other newspapers and magazines, and has appeared frequently on National Public Radio, CBS Sunday Morning, and--just once--on TLC's Cake Boss. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, the American Horticulture Society's Book Award, and an International Association of Culinary Professionals Food Writing Award.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) Behind the greenhouse door - How much thought do you give to those flowers you pass in the grocery store aisle? Do you know where your Valentine's Day roses came from or how they got to you? For most of us, we don't know, nor rather care, but thankfully author, Amy Stewart does.

In Flower Confidential (Algonquin Books, 2007), Stewart takes us deep inside the huge and profitable business of flowers. From a lily grower in the American Northwest, to the rose fields of Ecuador she introduces us to the people, places and plants that travel all over the world to supply our human need for colorful and almost too perfect flowers.

Flower Confidential is a fun romp around the world that also holds some deep concerns. The treatment of the workers in the fields and greenhouses is an on-going issue no matter where the author visits. She also discusses how the need for a "perfect" flower that travels well and lasts long in the vase has removed their scent. It also puts us in danger of producing yet another industry focused on lowest-common denominator, where each flower looks begins to look much like every other flower.

Stewart's writing takes us along on her travels, describing people and plants alike in a visual style that gives us an understanding of who they are and what they are trying to accomplish. We feel the sense of amazement as she visits the Miami airport center where the majority of flowers enter the US. I particularly felt her desire to scoop up armloads of flowers or save those consigned to the compost heaps.

Immerse yourself in the little-known of flowers and the people who grow them. You will develop a new-found respect for what both suffer to provide that perfect arrangement for your dining room table.

By Douglas E. Welch on March 29, 2007

2) Fascinating read about the hidden life of flowers - Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart is a fascinating look inside the flower business. I love books like this that give an indepth look into hidden worlds that operate beyond our normal ken. Stewart includes great tidbits that are perfect pieces of trivia for tossing around: bees can't see red. But the real charm of this book is her own passion for flowers and how it leads her to travel the world in search of the truth behind where the flowers we buy come from. She takes us from a flower farm in California to greenhouses in Ecuador to the famous Dutch auction houses. Each place comes to life through her detailed witty descriptions. The sad tale of the creation of the Star Gazer lily and the fight for the rights to it is compelling drama. Stewart gives the history of breeding and selling flowers up to the current gene-splicing in the current quest for a truly blue rose. Her tantalizing descriptions of flowers led me to keep the laptop open next to me so I could see each flower for myself. She brings up excellent questions about where and how flowers should be grown and what we as consumers should expect. Stewart covers organic flowers and worker conditions as well as describing the odd and often unpoetic ways in which these flowers are grown. Fantastic read!

By Christina Lockstein on March 6, 2007

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(CLICK here)Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

THE FLOWER FARMER'S YEAR : HOW TO GROW CUT FLOWERS FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT

The Flower Farmer’s Year is a light, entertaining look at how to plant, maintain, and keep evolving a productive cut-flower garden. Whether you want to devote a corner of your garden to a stand of sweet peas and some cosmos, take up flower production for gate sales, or make a livelihood from cut flowers, Georgie Newbery will take you through everything from planning your garden to budgeting and marketing. With plenty of stories about mistakes she’s made along the way, this book is a practical manual that teaches how to get involved in local, sustainable flower production for the home or commercially.

Author -

Georgie Newbery is an artisan flower farmer and florist, supplying cut-flowers direct to customers from her small holding in Somerset. She is one of three southwest representatives in a new UK-wide cooperative of flower farmers. She formerly managed the features department of American Vogue in Paris and has written several novels.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) An Amazing Book! - I was very hesitant about buying this book and must admit to repeatedly putting it in, and then taking it out of my shopping cart. I am a professional gardener/nursery owner and am making the transition into the cut flower business. I was leery that this would be another 'fluff' book with beautiful pictures but no real substance. I was so pleasantly surprised to find just the opposite to be true! Yes, there are gorgeous pictures but there is also a trove of knowledge, tips and hints that will be so valuable to anyone in this business. The author explains it all in a no-nonsense way that had me jotting notes while laughing at her anecdotes. I have found that true gardeners are always willing (it's a compulsion with us) to share our love of flowers including our knowledge and Georgie Newbery does this in spades!

By KATHLEEN MURPHY on January 15, 2015

2) Have not finished reading it but what I have read is straight to the point and easy to understand - This is a must have book for anyone starting their own flower farm. Have not finished reading it but what I have read is straight to the point and easy to understand. I love Georgie's style of writing. Would highly recommend this book - 5 stars is not enough.

By Carolyn Thompson on February 4, 2015

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(CLICK here)The Flower Farmer's Year: How to Grow Cut Flowers for Pleasure and Profit

THE FLOWER FARMER : AN ORGANIC GROWER'S GUIDE TO RAISING AND SELLING CUT FLOWERS, 2ND EDITION

The domestic cut flower business has experienced a renaissance in the past decade, thanks in large part to the first edition of The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, which helped thousands of small growers start successful businesses. This newly expanded and thoroughly revised edition will be equally as influential for novices and experienced growers alike.

With the cut flower business growing at record rates, demand is at all time highs, challenging growers to take advantage of new techniques to prolong the harvest. New sections on utilizing greenhouses, recommendations for flower cultivars, and post harvest handling growers throughout all of North America will help improve their bottom line. Also updated is the acclaimed resource directory, complete with sources of seeds, plants and supplies, and expert information on organic production under the National Organic Program.

For the beginner and backyard gardener, there is an extensive section on the basics—variety selection, soil preparation, planting, cultivation, harvest, and floral design. For the commercial grower, The Flower Farmer includes information about larger-scale production, plus advice about selling to florists, wholesalers, supermarkets, brides, at farmers markets, and more. Also includes revised profiles of successful growers offering behind-the-scenes insight into the operation of some of the cutting edge flower farmers in the country.

Because of the extensive revisions and enhanced content, this new edition of The Flower Farmer is essential reading for those already in the flower business, as well as those who dream of growing flowers for enjoyment or profit.

Author -

Lynn Byczynski is publisher and editor of a monthly news letter Growing for Market. She also operates Wild Onion Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, where she resides with her husband and two children. For more information, please visit the website of Growing for Market at www.growingformarket.com

Biography

Lynn Byczynski is publisher and editor of a monthly news letter Growing for Market. She also operates Wild Onion Farm in Lawrence, Kansas, where she resides with her husband and two children. For more information, please visit the website of Growing for Market here.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) Outstanding Flower Grower's Reference - I have been growing flowers for personal use for some time, and have recently decided to begin selling at Farmer's Markets, but where to begin? Ordering this book was probably the best beginning I could have happened upon - it is packed full of useful and realistic information covering all aspects of beginning a flower business, not only on growing but how to get started, marketing, how to price, where to buy supplies, how to learn more about the business, even where to purchase a canopy for using at the market and how to build a flower cooler. Also, the farmer profiles were informative, frank, and uplifting and the pictures were beautiful and helpful.

I read this book from cover to cover, including the appendicies, which is rare for me - I usually pick out the interesting chapters and focus on them, but all chapters here were interesting!
Thank you Lynn for a marvelous reference. Although I know I have hard work ahead of me, I am even more inspired to begin my small flower business after reading your book.

By Debra A. Herrli on January 27, 2000

2) A must-have for anyone interested in specialty farming. - Lynn Byczynski, herself a flower farmer, does an excellent job of sharing her wisdom to others who wish to make a living tending the earth. This book is not only applicable to those who wish to grow and sell cut flowers, it will also be useful to herb farmers, u-pick farm owners, and even those who just wish to grow beautiful flowers for their own use. The book's focus on organic growing techniques is especially useful, as is the author's descriptive list of recommended flowers to grow.

Throughout the book you are introduced to other specialty farmers who have carved a niche in the competitive horticultural market for their home grown products. No one claims this way of making a living is easy, but you can feel the pride and the love of the labor come through in each profile. Each small farmer generously shares stories of their successes and failures and paints a realistic picture of what is involved in the business.
The book also lists many useful sources for seeds and nursery products, wholesale plant companies, tools, marketing supplies, and other organic gardening reference books. I highly recommend this book to the potential flower farmer or market gardener.

By J-Red on November 27, 1998

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(CLICK here)The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, 2nd Edition

RARE PLANTS OF COLORADO , 2ND

The stunning color photographs, beautiful illustrations, and vivid text in this book describe nearly 150 of Colorado's rare plants. With unique expertise, insight, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the state's rich botanical heritage, the Colorado Native Plant Society offers this revised and expanded second edition of Rare Plants of Colorado.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) Must have for dryland gardeners - This book is a must have for any one interested in Colorado native plants It gives you just enough information to appreciate the habitats that these plants come from without sending you right to their doorsteps. Reasonable photography, Great illustrations.

By M. Bone on January 7, 2008

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(CLICK here)Rare Plants of Colorado, 2nd

RAE PLANTS OF TEXAS : A FIELD GUIDE ( W.L. MOODY JR. NATURAL HISTORY SERIES )

Since 1987, when Texas Parks and Wildlife Department botanists published their first in-house summary of Texas’ threatened plants, more than 225 species have been identified and described as endangered, imperiled, or declining. Because most of these plants are too rare to be mentioned, much less pictured, in standard field guides, only a handful of botanists have known what these plants or their habitats look like.

Complete with photographs, line drawings, and county maps, this book describes the officially listed, candidate, and species-of-concern plants in Texas. Individual accounts include information on distribution, habitat, physical description, flowering time, federal and state status, similar species, and published references. The authors also provide brief introductory chapters on the state’s vegetation regions; the history of plant conservation in Texas; federal, state, and other ranking methods; threats to native plants; recovery methods; and reporting guidelines.

With the growing recognition that native plants support wildlife, conserve water, promote biodiversity, and exemplify our natural heritage, we must also recognize the need for greater understanding of endangered plants, the threats to their existence, and the importance of their survival. Rare Plants of Texas is highly recommended for professional botanists and advanced researchers, conservationists, students, range managers, and others concerned with preserving the ecosystems of Texas and the Southwest.

Author -

JACKIE M. POOLE is a botanist in the Wildlife Diversity Program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She has been working with the rare plants of Texas since 1982.WILLIAM R. CARR, a botanist with The Nature Conservancy of Texas, conducts numerous field surveys and inventories for the conservation of threatened habitat.DANA M. PRICE is a botanist at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with experience in prairie ecology and economic botany.JASON R. SINGHURST, a botanist and phytogeographer at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, manages GIS and remote sensing land cover classification projects and conducts status surveys of rare plants in Texas.

For More Details-

  (CLICK here)Rare Plants of Texas: A Field Guide (W. L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series)

GENETICS AND CONSERVATION OF RARE PLANTS

Nearly 700 species of plants may become extinct by the year 2000. Faced with this overwhelming prospect, plant conservationists must take advantage of every technique available. This unique work summarizes our current knowledge of the genetics and population biology of rare plants, and integrates it with practical conservation recommendations. It features discussions on the distribution and significance of genetic variation, management and evaluation of rare plant germplasm, and conservation strategies for genetic diversity. Case studies focusing on specific problems offer important insights for today's challenges in rare plant conservation.

Author -

Donald A. Falk is at Center for Plant Conservation, Boston. Kent E. Holsinger is at University of Connecticut.

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  (CLICK here)Genetics and Conservation of Rare Plants

THE ROSES

A milestone in the history of illustration, this book is a complete reprint of the famous ""Les Roses, "" created around 1817 by Redoute, the master French flower painter. 195 illustrations.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOKS [SAMPLE]

1) Exquisite! - Pierre-Joseph Redoute was the Audubon of flowers--particularly roses and lilies. His artwork is stunning and he depicts the various varieties of roses in immaculate detail. An absolutely gorgeous book, published by Taschen and printed in Italy, my version is about 5"X 8" page size and the ISBN number is 3-8228-1356-7 (English version).

For the lover of roses, any illustrated book by Pierre-Joseph Redoute will be a treasure to admire for years.

Joseph Pierre

By Joseph H Pierre on August 8, 2002

2) A GORGEOUS ART BOOK ABOUT ROSES - I HAVE SEEN AND BOUGHT THIS BOOK. IF A PERSON LOVES GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL, FLORAL ART PARTICULARLY ROSES TO HAVE THIS BOOK IS A MUST. BROWSING AND REVIEWING IT IS SIMPLY A MOST ENJOYABLE PASSTIME. IT'S REALLY A BOOK OF BEAUTY, A JOY FOREVER.

By JOSE LUIZ VALIM on April 2, 2000

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(CLICK here)The Roses

FLOWERS

Flowers. The word defines this book yet is too small to describe it. In the hands of a brilliant photographer, these are flowers as we have never seen them before -- flowers so spectacularly beautiful that, once seen, they cannot be forgotten. Among the blossoms that appear in this book, in a remarkable variety of guises, are the great ones -- irises, calla lilies, orchids, poppies, roses, and tulips. But here also are images of flowers that in lesser hands might be called unassuming -- morning glories, daisies, and alliums. Bela Kalman's stunning flower portraits, including his wonderfully fanciful computerized images, are the culmination of a renowned photographer's lifelong practice of his art and his continuing love of blooming plants. The photographs included in this book range from his earliest pictures of flowers, in 1939, to those taken in the past few years.

Author -

Bela Kalman was born in Hungary and emigrated during the 1956 uprising to the Uninted States, where he made his living from advertising photography. His work has appeared in many magazines, art exhibits, and illustrated books, is represented in the permanent collections of eighteen museums, and has won numerous awards. In 1990, Kalman was given a lifetime appointment as Master of the Federation of International Artistic Photographers, a title held by only twenty-five photographers; he is the only one from the United States. Kalman currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) Excellent book in excellent conditions - This book fulfilled all my expectations. Very interesting and in very good conditions. I highly recommend this book to lovers of flowers.

By Isabel Inigo-Mora on March 10, 2014

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(CLICK here)
Flowers

PERENNIAL COMBINATIONS : STUNNING COMBINATIONS THAT MAKE YOUR GARDEN LOOK FANTASTIC RIGHT FROM THE START

Perennial combinations are the building blocks of beautiful, successful gardens. Choosing perennials that look great and grow well together is a skill that can take years to develop, but with this book, you're guaranteed to make perfect plant choices right from the start. In Perennial Combinations, expert plantsman, C. Colston Burrell hand-selects 120 of the best perennial combinations for homeowners, then offers his expert advice on how to grow and use the combinations to create great gardens.

Each combination is featured in a stunning color photograph accompanied by a numbered photo key and plant list, so it's easy to find and buy exactly the right plants to re-create the combination in your own garden. Each combination features just two to six plants, so they're perfect for even the smallest garden space. You can plant each combination just as it appears in the book, or for a bigger color splash, just repeat the combination or mix it with others that are suited to the same conditions. You'll find combinations for stunning bloom from spring through fall; combinations especially suited to challenging sites like heavy clay soil or seaside gardens; and combinations just for fun, like fragrant combinations and combinations that attract butterflies.

C. Colston Burrell has lived and gardened in different climates across America, so he's made sure this book is useful to gardeners from California to Maine. He's also a professional garden designer, and he's applied his talents to create 22 original garden designs that feature the book's individual combinations. Plus every page includes his personal gardening wisdom, so you'll not only know which perennials to plant together, you'll know how to maintain those perennials so your garden will look beautiful year after year.

Author -

C. Colston Burrell is the author of A Gardener's Encyclopedia of Wildflowers, which won the American Horticultural Society notable books of the year award for 1998. He is also the co-author of Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials, Successful Organic Gardening: Perennials, and Successful Organic Gardening: Landscaping with Perennials. He is a garden designer, writer, photographer, and the owner of Native Landscape Design and Restoration, which is located near Charlottesville, Virginia.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) De-mystifying Plant Combinations - Author Cole Burrell has written a book that is beautiful, thoughtful and practical. Even the best of gardeners has had their share of poorly orchestrated vignettes and disasters but Cole inspires us to try yet again. Perennial Combinations is broken down into categories based on available light and varying cultural conditions making is easy to use and understand. The lush photographs clearly illustrate the points he shares about texture, form and color. Cole's lifetime of experience as a gardener, designer and hort head come to the fore as he encourages us to create tapestries and tell stories with plants. As a a fellow designer I have found this to be an invaluable resource when working with clients. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words and this marvelous book is a great visual aid helping me help clients articulate their likes and dislikes about plants and let them see how plants work in combination. After the introduction of each new combination Cole shares bits of wisdom about the cultural requirements of the various plants, points of fact that are missing in most books on perennials. This is a must have addition to the library for the new gardener as well as the consumate professional.

By Lucy Hardiman on December 10, 1999

2) One of the BEST! - As a serious new garderner I have been buying tons of gardening books to help me get started and to educate myself. I had no idea, when I purchased this book, that it would become my favorite! I took it on vacation and read it cover to cover, twice. It provides expert information on perennials, and nudges individual creativity with its stunning photos and drawings of beautiful combinations. I have already put in three of Mr. Burrell's garden plans - with some adjustment for personal favorites and have been extremely pleased with the results! I am giving this book as a Christmas gift this year to several gardening friends and would highly recommend it for all gardeners, beginners to master!

By A Customer on September 6, 2001

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Perennial Combinations: Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start

DRAW 50 FLOWERS , TREES , AND OTHER PLANTS : THE STEP - BY - STEP WAY TO DRAW ORCHIDS , WEEPING WILLOWS , PRICKLY PEARS , PINEAPPLES , AND MANY MORE....

Targeted at young aspiring artists seeking to develop their technical skill and build a repertoire of subjects, especially those in nature.
     Acclaimed author Lee J. Ames shows readers how to draw dozens of plants with a comprehensive, step-by-step approach. His distinctive drawing method has proven to be successful for children and adults alike over the past thirty years, and has shown artists, from the beginner to advanced level, how to draw everything from animals to airplanes. The revised Draw 50 series gives an old favorite an exciting, new look.

Author -

LEE J. AMES began his career at Walt Disney Studios and taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and at Dowling College on Long Island. He directed his own advertising agency and has illustrated over 150 books, ranging from preschool picture books to postgraduate texts. A prolific author of more than 30 Draw 50 books, Lee Ames died at the age of 90 in June 2011.

SOME OF THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS BOOK [SAMPLE]

1) Draw 50 Flowers - Great instructions - step by step easy to follow - and easy to grasp the concept of drawing accurately. A very useful tool for design and beginners. Cost effective - packaged well - prompt delivery.

By Jean on May 2, 2014

2) Great for beginners - It really does provide a starting point for those who do not have a clue where to begin. I'd recommend it for kids from 12 on up to an adult.

By Susie on December 28, 2013

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Draw 50 Flowers, Trees, and Other Plants: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Orchids, Weeping Willows, Prickly Pears, Pineapples, and Many More...