The Generosity of Plants: Shared Wisdom from the Community of Herb Lovers

by Rosemary Gladstar

Renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar presents a beautiful keepsake collection of teachings, reflections, and insights on the plant world and herbal healing, featuring diverse voices from the community of herbal teachers and practitioners. 

A beloved teacher and leader in the herbal healing world for more than 50 years, Rosemary Gladstar has curated this collection to explore key themes in herbalism,  

*The sacred teachings of the plants
*The importance of preserving knowledge of the plants' healing properties and the work of herbal healers
*The practices of gardening and gathering herbs in the wild
*The power and passion of the herbal community
*The rich value of living with gratitude and reverence for the Earth, and a deep connection to the plant world. 

Many of the quotes are original to this collection, excerpted from Gladstar's private correspondence and conversations. Her narrative voice introduces each theme, and the text is accompanied by stunning photographs and artwork celebrating the beauty and wonder of plants. 

This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Gardening, Herbs

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Rosemary Gladstar is a pioneer in the herbal movement and has been called the "Godmother of American Herbalism." She began more than 35 years ago developing herbal formulas in her herb shop, Rosemary's Garden in Sonoma County, California. She is the founder of the California School of Herbal Studies, the oldest running herb school in the United States, author of The Science and Art of Herbalism home study course, and is the director of the International Herb Symposium and The New England Women's Herbal Conference held annually in NE. She is the author of numerous herb books including the bestseller Herbal Healing for Women, The Storey Book Herbal Healing Series, and Herbal Remedies for Vibrant Health. Rosemary is also the co-founder of Traditional Medicinal Tea Company and did all of the original formulations for the company. She has taught extensively throughout the United States and worldwide at venues as varied as backyard gardens, native villages, garden clubs to universities and hospitals. She has won numerous awards and certificates for her work with medicinal plants, but her greatest reward has been in watching the herbal renaissance soar from its birth and feeling in some small exciting way, a part of it.

Her greatest passion has been the work of United Plant Savers, a nonprofit organization that Rosemary founded in 1994 and is currently serving as Founding President. UpS is dedicated to the conservation and cultivation of at-risk North American medicinal plants and to preserving botanical sanctuaries across the U.S. to help preserve the land that these precious native species thrive on. For information on United Plant Savers, please visit: www.unitedplantsavers.org

Rosemary lives and works from her home, Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, a 500-acre botanical preserve in central Vermont.

Reviews

[Farda Hus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

Plants exist within us and outside of us.
Plants nourish and cure us.
They propel and sustain us.

I was expecting a more educational herbal book, but this turned out to be more of a decorative, gift-style book. Though this wasn’t quite what I thought I was getting, it turned out to be a beautiful surprise. The book is filled with inspiring quotes and captivating plant imagery, making it a joy to flip through.
It serves as a lovely reminder to appreciate the plants around us. Sometimes I forget how much plants give us -breath, nourishment, and serenity- and this book helps bring that awareness back. A great coffee table book for nature lovers.

Note : Thank you Storey Publishing for giving me this ARC.

[Amelia Maness-Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Generosity of Plants is a gorgeous, soul-nourishing book that blends the wisdom of herbalism with the beauty of nature in both words and images. Rosemary Gladstar, a foundational voice in the herbal community, offers more than just knowledge—she offers reverence. This isn’t a how-to manual or a textbook; it’s a love letter to plants, to the people who study and protect them, and to the deep connections between humans and the natural world.

The book is organized around key themes—like the sacred teachings of plants, the power of community, and the importance of gratitude—that are introduced with Gladstar’s gentle, thoughtful voice. Interwoven throughout are reflections from herbalists of all backgrounds, creating a collective narrative that feels grounded, wise, and heartfelt.

Visually, the book is a feast with its photographs and art, it brings the content to life and invites you to slow down and really take it in. It’s the kind of book you can flip through for inspiration or sit with for hours. Whether you’re a practicing herbalist, a nature lover, or simply someone who feels a pull toward plants, there’s something here for you.

The Generosity of Plants is educational, yes—but it’s also deeply inspirational. It reminds us to listen to the Earth, honor its gifts, and carry these teachings forward with care.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Generosity of Plants: Shared Wisdom from the Community of Herb Lovers looks to be a very beautiful book.

I requested (and was approved) to read the advance read version of The Generosity of Plants in exchange for an honest review. The review version is digital, but it looks like it would be a very beautiful book to hold. It is very visual. (My eyesight isn't the best and) I use "text to voice" to "read" most books and listen to a lot of audiobooks. It took me longer than most books to read The Generosity of Plants; I started by (only) listening to the book, but I quickly realized that in order to fully appreciate this book I needed to at least view the book as it was being read. (And I'm so glad that I came to that realization!)

I'm a plant person and a member of many clubs.
The American Rhododendron Society
https://www.rhododendron.org/
The American Conifer Society
https://www2.conifersociety.org/
and The North American Rock Garden Society
https://nargs.org/
I'm guessing that you are a plant person as well and that you can appreciate all the lovely quotes and references to plants.

Many Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for approving my request to read The Generosity of Plants in exchange for an honest review. Approximately 232 pages, expected publication date is April 22, 2025.

[Laura N · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first herbal course and books were all by Rosemary Gladstar, so I was thrilled to see a new book from her. Generosity of Plants is not her typical style of herbalism book. Instead, it is more of a gift book to give to yourself or others. The book contains teachings and reflections from an impressive array of herbalists, poets, artists, writers, leaders, and teachers. The photographs and artwork throughout the book are stunning!! I found myself thoroughly enjoying the beauty of the photos while pondering the thoughtful quotes. I'll definitely be gifting this book to my gardening and herbalist friends and family! Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and Rosemary Gladstar for providing a review copy of this book.

[Hege-Kristin Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Generosity of Plants by Rosemary Gladstar is a beautiful celebration of our love for plants and nature. It's filled with stunning images, wise words, and thoughtful reflections on our relationship with plants, flowers, and herbs. This book makes a perfect gift, and I can't wait to share it with my fellow plant enthusiasts. It's such a wonderful way to honor the marvels of nature! I was deeply moved by reading about the beautiful plants that surround us, their medicinal properties, their beauty, and all they do for the earth. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope many others will discover its beautiful writings. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

[Jackie McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As her grandmother collected quotes, so does herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Alongside some of her plant and herb knowledge, Gladstar shares a piece of her collection from fellow herbalists, plus stunning plant imagery. Throughout the book, she invites us to ask what wisdom we can glean from the interconnected lives of plants, what herbalism taught our ancestors that we can remember today, and how we can advocate for herbalism in today's world.

It's a beautiful book; a fast read, but there is a lot to go back and sit with (with a good cup of tea in your garden, of course). Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The godmother of modern herbalism, Rosemary Gladstar, shares insightful quotes and wisdom gleaned from her many years of study and teaching. This collection isn't just about herbalism; it's a celebration of the interconnectedness of all life. With beautiful images throughout, this book would make a wonderful gift for any budding herbalist, offering both hope and inspiration for the future of herbalism.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not at all what I expected. I thought it might actually have information about plants and their benefits, uses past and present. Instead its a book of nature photographs overlayed with quotes.

It's a nice coffee table book and inspirational if that's what you're looking for. I was thinking it would be a bit more informative.

I put this book on hold through my library and the description given then doesn't match up to what the book truly is. No fault of the book though and quite lovely to look at.

[Asha Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book of quotes that Gladstar has collected over the years from both her own studies and the wisdom of herbalist friends. The collection doesn’t just offer herbal wisdom but emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life.

Paired with alluring photos of flora, this book would make a wonderful addition to any coffee table or a great gift for an herbalist.

Thank you NetGalley and Storey publishing for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Star Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous book that should be on everyone's reading table. The photography, typograhpy, and paintings from around the herbalist community was stunningly bound together in a triumph of graphic design. You won't learn any plant facts here, but you will be entwined in the global net of knowledge shared by those who love plants. This book uplifts the spirit and brings the connectivity of nature to the home.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet coffee table type of book full of beautiful photos and quotes about plants. I adore Rosemary Gladstar. She is the grandmother of herbalism and such an inspiration. Do keep in mind that this is more of a gift book to enjoy rather than an educational book like most of her herbal books.

I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

a beautiful book of quotes and wisdom about plants/herbs.
more a coffee table book but would make a beautiful gift for a plant lover.

[Danica Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful coffee table book, but that’s about it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book both illustrations and the heartfelt quotes.
I read it while camping and enjoyed it thoroughly

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated collection of quotes and reflections on plants, herbs, healing and nature gathered by leading herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

[Paperback Pagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful. This is a book you would want to display in your home.

It is primarily a collection of quotes, passages, and tidbits of information about plants. The quotes and pasages are moving and set on gorgeous photography.

This book is about plants but it is really a love letter to plant lovers.