A Gardener’s Guide to Botany by Scott Zona

A Gardener's Guide to Botany by Scott Zona

This book came out in December of 2022, and the subtitle is The Biology Behind the Plants You Love, How They Grow, and What They Need.

I think it's that last part - what they need - that most gardeners are intrigued by.

If you're a true botany geek, you'll love every page of Scott's book.

A Gardener's Guide to Botany is not merely a book; it's a botanical love affair, a passionate declaration of affection for the green beings that grace our gardens and homes.

This isn't your ordinary gardening guide, my dear botanical friend. It's a captivating journey into the heart and soul of plants, a revelation of their secret lives, hidden desires, and extraordinary adaptations.

I wanted to share a little bit from the preface of Scott's book.

Scott, by the way, is truly an expert. He's a research botanist by training, and his undergraduate degree is in horticulture, so he's a lifelong gardener and a trained expert. He's a conscious-competent. He knows exactly what he is writing about.

Here's what he wrote in the preface of his book.

As I sit down to write, I gaze at the windowsill near my desk. On it sits a dwarf sansevieria forming little rosettes of deep green leaves above. It hangs a slab of cork on which is mounted a tiny air plant that is pushing out oversized violet flowers, one at a time.

Nearby are two plants, an agave, and an aloe, that have similar forms, but one evolved from Mexico and the other in South America. Above them, a furry-leaved and a hybrid philodendron both grow contently in the diffuse light that reaches the shelf next to the window. My most curious visitors might ask a question about a plant or two, and when that happens, I can barely contain my delight. There is so much to tell.

Well, this book starts out with a chapter called Being a Plant, and if you are a bit of an empath, you may feel that you understand what it's like to be a plant, but Scott is going to tell you scientifically what does it mean to be a plant.

He writes in chapter one,

For most people, the plant kingdom is a foreign land.

It's inscrutable. Inhabitants are all around us, but they communicate in a language that seems unintelligible and untranslatable. Their social interactions are different. Their currency doesn't fit in our wallet and their cuisine. Well, it's nothing like what we eat at home in the plant kingdom.

We are tourists.

So, I would say this book is for the very serious and curious gardener—and that maybe you.

With each page, Scott unveils the secrets of plant life, unraveling the mysteries of their growth, reproduction, and survival. Learn how plants "sleep," how they sense their environment, and how they protect themselves from predators. Discover the ingenious ways they have evolved to thrive in the most challenging conditions, from the scorching desert to the frigid tundra.

A Gardener's Guide to Botany is more than just a scientific treatise. It's a celebration of the beauty and diversity of the plant kingdom. Scott's passion for plants is infectious, and his writing style is both informative and engaging. Through vivid descriptions and stunning illustrations, he brings the world of botany to life, making it accessible to gardeners of all levels.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a budding plant enthusiast, this 2023 American Horticulture Society Award-winning book is a must-have. It's a treasure trove of knowledge, a source of inspiration, and a testament to the extraordinary wonders of the natural world. 

This is the perfect book to round out your collection.

If you have the Botany in a Day book, this book is a great companion to that.

There's also a great reference book called Botany for Gardeners, and when I think about Scott's book here, I will be putting it on the shelf beside both books.

This book is 256 pages that will amp up your understanding of plants - No more mystery -and provide all of the answers you've been looking for.

You can get a copy of A Gardener's Guide to Botany by Scott Zona and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $20.