Penstemons

With some 270 species, penstemons are particularly beloved by rock gardeners. The author has grown most of the species, and this work abounds in useful cultural information based on experience. It also features watercolours and photographs.'

Review :
The book succeeds both in clarifying relationships among the species and in straightening out mistaken identities ... A fascinating treatise of major topics . . . offering the gardener ready help in growing what, according to the author, is an easily grown beauty. -- Jan Hale Barbo "Santa Fe New Mexican" (04/02/2000) Fired with enthusiasm for these delightful plants, Robert Nold's books is the first place to which I shall turn for inspiration on what penstemon to try next. He writes superbly. -- Simon Thornton-Wood "Garden (Peterborough)" (09/27/2000) For anyone interested in the species of Penstemon, this is a thorough and readable book. It is clearly written, often amusing and always brimming with Robert Nold's enthusiasm for this beautiful genus. -- Richard Wilford "Curtis's Botanical Magazine" (12/04/2000) If you are a frustrated, wanna-be penstemon gardener, be sure to read this book. Nold's dual perspectives, botany and horticulture, have merged into a beautifully written book about a genus he clearly loves, "Penstemon." -- Judy Mielke "American Gardener" (03/23/2000) Nold's enthusiasm for penstemons is so strong that the reader will be tempted to try these plants in the rock garden, perennial border, native plant area or in containers. -- Joanne S. Carpender "National Gardener" (03/14/2000) Robert Nold writes in an amusing, enthusiastic style. -- Gail Harland "Cottage Gardener" (12/15/2000) The author's enthusiasm for penstemons is so persuasive that the reader will surely be tempted to experiment with a broader range of these versatile plants in the perennial border or in the rock garden. The book will be of great value to any student of the genus, botanical or horticultural, and essential for any botanical or horticultural library. The drawings and photos will convince you to try these plants. -- Marty Figley "Michigan Observer and Eccentric" (07/27/2000) The excellent illustrations will help the gardener to identify unknown plants. The only book I know that gives up-to-date information about this genus of about 250 species of very desirable, dependable flowering plants . . . It's the perfect book to give someone if you are trying to stimulate interest in perrenial gardening. -- Joel M. Lerner "Washington Post" (04/28/2001) The plaudits must and surely will, go to the author Bob Nold, for his painstaking work in putting this book together. . . . This book bears all the hallmarks of not only an expert botanist but a passionate gardener. . . This book will undoubtedly remain the reference work on this genus for many, many years to come. The style is humorous and readable...{with] beautiful watercolors as well as many pages of color photographs...this is a great book to take road-botanizing at penstemon bloom time. -- Ginny Maffitt "Rock Garden Quarterly" (06/07/2004) This book stands out from many other horticultural works due to the clarity of its style and the balance of its perspective. This is a 'must' book for anyone interested in Penstemon, especially for those in the midwest USA. It is the most complete, one-stop source of information on penstemon gardening in the USA that is currently available. -- Dale T. Lindgren "Rock Garden Quarterly" (04/01/2000) Usefully illustrated with wonderful botanical watercolours and with photographs which show the plants in their natural (and often unlikely) conditions. -- Peter Miles "Gardens Illustrated" (07/10/2000) Writing a book about penstemons requires very careful walking the razor edge between talking platitudes and talking above the reader's head. Bob Nold walks this treacherous path beautifully. His language is clear and when he uses a necessary botanical term you can find it in a glossary, but the writing is also personal, sometimes acerbic, and often amusing. -- Geoffrey Charlesworth "Rock Garden Quarterly" (04/06/2000) You will find plenty of good, accessible information here, with a glossary to explain some of those scary technical words. Most importantly, Nold's enthusiasm for penstemons is contagious and I think will encourage any reader to try growing them. -- Ethel Fried "Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer" (07/28/2001)