Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of My Garden Favorites

by Ken Druse

Ken Druse, one of today’s most acclaimed and popular garden writers, takes us on a ceaselessly fascinating stroll through the life of the garden, from the botanical marvels displayed by virtually any plant to the exploits of the plant explorers who once—and still do—race across the globe like Indiana Jones in search of rare and exotic specimens, to the need to conserve the threatened diversity of the natural world. Ripe with facts, punctured myths, serious investigation, and practical gardening wisdom, this is a gloriously illustrated and enlightening celebration of the plants that delight and sustain us. For Ken Druse, the garden provides both a refuge from the world and an irresistible invitation to explore the wonders of nature.

In planthropology, Druse celebrates the secret stories of plants and explains their im-portance within daily life, now and since ancient times. A pleasingly random and ever delightful garden stroll of a book, it uncovers scientific facts, dispels myths, exposes controversies, tells some rollicking good anecdotes, and, along the way, casually dispenses an abundance of practical gardening wisdom.

Using many of his own favorite plants as examples, Druse reveals little-known facts about both rare and common beauties. For instance, if you like winding down on a terrace or patio after work, Druse suggests planting petunias. Why? Because they are evening fragrant—their pollinators only come out at night. Perhaps you may not have noticed the beautiful spiraling patterns on sunflower heads; Druse explains that all plants feature such spirals, and that they correspond exactly to mathematical principles that have captivated great thinkers (and artists) throughout history.

With the authority and assurance of someone who demonstrates both deep passion and uncommon ex-pertise, Druse takes us chapter by chapter through the history, biology, economics, and cultural significance of plants. We meet bumblebees who literally shake pollen free from flowers with sonic vibrations. (Druse can’t recommend petting the fuzzy little apian teddy bears as they sleep in a sheltering blossom, but he has tried it!) Here too are the adventures of the plant explorers who sailed and trekked across the world in search of new and exotic specimens, and whose exploits were far more harrowing than you might imagine. Some plants even factored into the instigation of war. But Druse then gives us a handy primer on the language of flowers (a single gardenia says, “I love you in secret,” and acacia blossoms say, “Let us be friends”). He considers the influence of plants on the history of fine and decorative arts, the way we garden now with stalwart, low-maintenance plants, and the ever more critical need for conservation.

Planthropology is a wondrous ac-knowledgment, from one plant lover to his fellow devotees, of the limitless pleasure and deep wisdom to be found in the garden.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature, Reference

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2008

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous coffee table book that actually has solid information on growing plants within it! I loved every page of this book--a real bright spot in a dark winter. I will return to it for mid-winter boosts!

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and the pictures are wonderful. Always enjoy his books.

[Jen]

Beautiful photographs and great stories about plants!

[Chris Eirschele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of My Garden Favorites by Ken Druse has the most beautiful photographs that it could be a contender for first prize in a coffee-table contest.

I like it for simply reading. It is packed with stories and facts sure to satisfy any gardener sitting in their own garden space, at a fireplace during a long cold winter evening or on a day when the summer heat pushes one indoors.

Absolutely, Planthropology remamins one of my top favorite garden books.

[Rwildfon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ken Druse takes us on an intimate journey to his garden of wonders - plants, that is. I always find it amazing to read what plant people know about the hidden mysteries, wild relations, mathematical calculations that lead to the center of a flower's seed, cone, face. Mr. Druse shares some of the most loved flowers in his garden, with fabulous photography - close, micro really - into the patterns of the creatures.
If you like flowering plants . . . this is a great read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great casual read. It includes cool facts like:
- how the HMS Bounty's mission was to carry Breadfruit to the West Indies to provide a new source of cheap food for slave labor. They threw it all overboard when the mutiny began.
- Night-blooming clover only has a scent at night because it relies on nocturnal pollenators.

Plus, the photos are incredibly beautiful. Good bonus.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's nothing like a lengthy ramble in the garden with a fellow plant enthusiast- especially one as seasoned as Ken Druse. Marvelous pictures, histories, anecdotes and observations make this an interesting book for both amateur and experienced gardeners.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of Garden Favorites by Ken Druse (Clarkson Potter 2008)(635) is a large oversized book of beautiful photos. It's more of a book on the philosophy of gardening than a "how-to" guide. My rating: 5.5/10, finished 4/6/11.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful plant photography, but the author was a bit too much of a egotist to actually read this book through. It's a definite flipper for lovers of garden photography, though.

[Lisa]

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