Chicago Botanic Garden

Education — Lenhardt Library

Current Books & Book Reviews

PHOTO: bookcover

Allan M. Armitage and Judy M. Laushman.
Specialty Cut Flowers: The Production of Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Woody Plants for Fresh and Dried Cut Flowers.
Second edition, revised and enlarged.
Portland, Ore.: Timber Press, 2003.
cloth, 586 p., ISBN 0–881–92579–9, $39.95.

Incredible advances have been made in the cut flower market since this book was first published in 1993. While the bulk of cut flowers still come from abroad, the American consumer wants more than roses, chrysanthemums and carnations, the major imports in the industry. There is an ever-increasing market for cut flowers, grown in America, to fulfill the need for diversity in floral designs. This text covers the subject of these "specialty cut flowers," a term used for those flowers not in the market on a regular basis. It covers information essential to the grower, useful to the wholesaler and florist consumer, and valuable to the ultimate buyer who demands flowers of high quality and consistent freshness.

The purpose of the publication is to identify new introductions, as well as popular flowers in the trade, and detail their culture and post-harvest care. Occasional line drawings and color photographs help with the former. The instructional material is comprehensive, including personal comments from experienced growers and additional reading on each subject.

Even though the book is meant for professionals, all gardeners who want to grow superior flowers should read it.

— Marilyn K. Alaimo, library volunteer and garden writer, Chicago Botanic Garden.