Pansy Garden

In this poignantly woven story, the author introduces readers to Joe, from his five-year-old to his young adult self. Joe narrates of his life, his dysfunctional family’s stories, his inner thoughts, observations, and sentiments, and his heart and soul. Only his grandmother, whom he affectionately calls Nanny, truly loves and understands him. Nanny has helped him start and create The Pansy Garden that would become his place of solace, meditation, and home. Though his very young mind can only grasp so much, he has absorbed the events and happenings around him—his family, his community, his country—and shares them all with the pansies in his garden. As he comes of age, the realities of life gradually unfolds before his very eyes. His Nanny dies; his alcoholic Mother sleeps with their priest; his good-for-nothing Father leaves; his indifferent brother escapes the military draft; his four sisters face adolescence in a way they know how; and he is battling with homosexuality. Born and raised in a big family with little heart or no compassion, Joe only has The Pansy Garden to soothe and listen to him. How will he deal with life’s deck of unpredictable cards? Readers are about to find out as this novel unravels. For more information on this book, log on to www.Xlibris.com.

From the early misfortunes of Eve, condemning her descendants to a dubious reputation for fruit management, to the acclaimed successes of plant breeders such as the eccentric Ellen Willmott who combined bankruptcy with iris breeding, the fortunes of the female gardener have been as varied as their roles. Telling the tales of the sixteenth-century housewife, who neatly sidestepped accusations of herbal witchcraft while working her plot, and the unconventional Ladies of Llangollen, who eloped together and created their gothic garden and many other women besides, A History of Women in the Garden showcases female horticulturists through the centuries. An enlightening and entertaining read that will allow the reader to gain fresh enthusiasm for even the most menial of garden tasks, and realise that hundreds of women have trod the garden path before.

Learn how to grow lovely and fragrant flowers then use them create delicious meals with this beautifully illustrated flower gardening and cooking book. Anyone who picks up The Edible Flower Garden will be tempted to grow, harvest, and sample at least a few of the more than forty varieties of edible flowers. Among them, you'll find more familiar food plants—dill and mustard, for example—in addition to common flowers, such as tulips or roses. Author Rosalind Creasy's stunning photography and detailed plans for an edible flower garden make this a must-have book for any flower gardener or home chef. Come along with Creasy on a tour in colorful pictures and careful diagrams and descriptions of her own flower gardens. Included is a tour of the edible flower gardens of Alice Waters famed Chez Panisse restaurant. Creasy catalogues each variety of flower and how to grow it, plus gives a myriad of delectable ideas on how to use the flower from candied violets and roses to decorate appetizers and cakes, to nasturtiums for a colorful shrimp salad, to day lily buds, pink clover and wild mustard flowers that are tossed together in a spectacular stir-fry. Favorite Recipes Include: Flower Butters Candied Flowers Tulip and Endive Appetizer Pineapple Sage Salsa Rose Petal Syrup Lavender Ice Cream And many more…

A unique and handsome book for novice and professional gardeners. The plans, with full commentary and plant lists, offer a wide range of designs easily adapted to one's own needs.