MoonglotexasMy appreciation of ferns came from my mum who is so fond of them and grew when we purchased a home with a garden filled with them. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about their biology, history and variants.
The book gives botanical information in an easy-to-understand way on all the different kinds of beautiful ferns, several I’d like to add to my collection! It includes the interesting process of propagating ferns and a guide to fixing frequently encountered problems. In addition to the great educational content, there are several great projects to create art and display ideas which I look forward to trying out.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish, it full of gorgeous photos, and if you love ferns this is one for you. It’s a five out of five enJOYment scale and highly recommended.
From the back cover:
The Complete Book of Ferns is filled with botanical information, indoor and outdoor growing and care information, details on propagation, display ideas, and even craft projects. This gorgeous book is authored by Mobee Weinstein, the Foreman of Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and a veteran guest on the Martha Stewart Living TV show and other media outlets.
Houseplants in general are in ascendance, but no category is hotter than ferns. From the otherworldly Staghorns—mounted like antler trophies in homes throughout the world—to the classic Boston Ferns and newer varieties like Crispy Wave, ferns are definitely back in fashion. And to no one’s surprise. After all, ferns are among the very oldest plants on the planet, with a long and storied history. There are tens of thousands of known varieties of ferns. In the Victorian Era, ferns created an absolute craze for more than 50 years. They re-emerged as integral home décor accessories in the ’50s and ’60s, and who didn’t spend time in a “Fern Bar” back in the ’80s? And they are back again.
This comprehensive reference starts its examination of ferns 400 million years ago, when the first species of this group of spore-reproducing plants appeared on Earth, exploring their evolution and eventual incorporation into human culture, including the powers associated with them and their practical and ornamental uses. Then, after an exploration of fern botany—its parts, how it grows, its variability in size and form, habitats, propagation, etc.—you’ll learn how to green your indoor and outdoor environments with ferns. Every aspect of fern care is covered: potting/planting, watering, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and more.
With this knowledge absorbed, explore creative planting projects, like terrariums, vertical gardens (living walls), mixed tabletop gardens, and moss baskets. To make your survey of ferns complete, create pressed fern art, fabric wall hangings with chlorophyll-stained designs, cyanotypes, and hand-made fern-decorated paper.
In the end, you will understand why this ancient plant class continues to be all the rage.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Quarto Publishing – Cool Springs Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
