Penstemon Books

There is plenty of room on the shelves of penstemon enthusiasts for more, but the following recent books go a great way towards filling a huge gap in the literature

Book Review: New Penstemon Book from the American Penstemon Society Growing Penstemons: Species, Cultivars, and Hybrids compiled by Dale Lindgren and Ellen Wilde
Published June, 2003 ISBN 0-7414-1529-1 US$ 17.95 Infinity Pub. Co 519 West Lancaster Avenue Haverford, PA 19041-1413 www.buybooksontheweb.com What a team of penstemon enthusiasts! To buy the book, visit:
http://www.buybooksontheweb.com

Dr. Dale Lindgren, professor of horticulture at the University of Nebraska, has served as president of the APS. He is a highly-experienced grower and breeder of penstemons, with several outstanding (and widely-grown) named selections to his credit. Ellen Wilde has gardened for more than 60 years and is an enthusiast of native plants. She considers all penstemon native. She directed the seed exchange of the American Penstemon Society and currently manages the library and slide collection. The book has a unique "hands-on" approach that utilizes the collective experience of members of the APS. It is especially readable, with an easy- flowing style. It is refreshingly free of jargon but all necessary jargon is explained.

Although there are no photos inside the book, the soft 8 by 11-inch glossy color cover has a dazzling collection of about 30 penstemon portraits. The book begins with a history of the APS and penstemon cultivation. Immediately preceding the description of species is a handy, well- illustrated, primer of penstemon terminology. This book contains a very thorough listing of hybrids, linking them especially well with their species parents. The chapter on cultivation reflects a huge collective growing experience. Chapters on propagation and breeding serve both to encourage experimentation and promote success in growing.

There are 8 very handy appendices covering both wild and nursery grown sources for seeds and plants, a master classification, a list of gardens featuring penstemons to visit, judging criteria for flower shows (very welcome to be sure!), and a listing of other penstemon books. One appendix that is sure to be highly valued is the list by region of species and hybrids suggested for beginners. The list by state and province of native species is indispensable. How many times have garden people told me that they get overwhelmed because "all penstemons look alike". Such lists encourage the non- specialist to sort things out, relax, and begin to enjoy the details. The book is illustrated with line drawings and helpful diagrams.

A CD collection of penstemon photos is being sold separately, with the intent to expand the collection. It costs $25., plus $3. For shipping. A "Portfolio of Penstemon Species" will also be offered separately for $12. It will contain photos of over a hundred species arranged in alphabetical order. "Growing Penstemons" fits extremely well into the wonderful suite of penstemon books published in recent years. It is highly valued for the wealth of practical growing tips, with a concise and well- organized presentation. While the coverage is thorough enough for any true-blue penstemaniac, I also especially recommend this book to non- specialist folks such as extension staff, nursery-people, garden clubs, and libraries, for both its readability and breadth. ************

Nold, Robert, "Penstemons" Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, 1999. ISBN 0-88192-429-6 260 pp; museum quality art illustrations, photos, extensive bibliography, glossary, appendices: societies and mail-order sources, watering schedule and gardener's calendar, list of penstemons by color, selected readings. This work highly compliments the other recent books in giving a most thorough coverage of the full rage of species written in an excellent style. With keen wit and sense of observation, this work blends the remarkably extensive gardening and field botany experience of the author. It contains an incredible wealth of detail and is as near to perfect as a work could be. Cultural observations reflects the dryland gardening realm of the author, but that is where most penstemons grow.

Strickler, Dee, "Northwest Penstemons" The book is hardcover, and is available from: The Flower Press, 192 Larch Lane, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 (price US$29.95 plus postage) ISBN 1-56044-572-6 As a widely-traveled author of wildflower books Dr. Strickler personally observed and photographed eighty species of penstemon found in the Northwest. Each species is covered in extensive detail and the reader is provided with excellent illustrations and distribution maps. A fully detailed key is provided and the introduction to the genus is valuable. Many of the Northwest species have both botanical and gardening interest and this serves as a valuable work for penstemaniacs everywhere.

Way, David, and Peter James, "The Gardener's Guide to Growing Penstemons" First published in the UK by David and Charles, Publishers, American edition: Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, both in 1998, ISBN 0-88192-424-5 160 pp, 55 color photos, 23 line drawings, 7 x 9 1/2", hardcover, US$ 29.95 The plant range of this welcome monograph is very broad. Unlike other works, it gives emphasis to the "European hybrids" that are the popular border garden cultivars. Although it is written from a European point of view, the information translates to gardens everywhere. Comprehensive details about propagation, cultivation, pests and diseases, are provided and the "A-Z Gardener's Guide" serves to sort out a tangle of neglected and oft-misnamed cultivars. The photos are both lavish and useful. This work contains many handy appendices, but most welcome are the tree diagrams showing the botanical relationships, especially the diagram for the subgenus Dasanthera.