Colleen Miko's Favorite Plants & Northwest Garden Books

Each of us has our little indulgences--basically unnecessary things that make work and play more enjoyable. For some its fine wine that makes them feel good; for others its jewelry or quality tools. In my own case, I splurge on plants and books. Whenever I’m given the okay to write book reviews, whether for WSNLA’s monthly magazine, or the WestSound Home & Garden Magazine, I’m thrilled. It’s a chance to combine two of my passions with my work as a garden writer. In this section, and on my blog Verdure, I’ll include only my favorites of books I’ve previously reviewed for professional horticulturists and the public. The books, both new and older, should appeal to the varied interests of those who enjoy gardening and nature. As for the plant reviews, I’ll be including an eclectic mix of flora that is both utilitarian and beautiful; species that I grow in my own garden and specify in my professional landscape designs.

Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades:
the Complete Guide to Organic Gardening, 6th Edition,
Steve Solomon, 2007.
Sasquatch Books, 356 pages, 10” x 7”, $21.95 (paper).
There are no gimmicks in this book, the first edition of which was published in 1979. During this time the author has polished this work into the definitive guide to year round vegetable gardening in our area with its unique pattern of rainfall. That does not mean there are no “Ah ha!” moments, but simply that Solomon has come by his knowledge honestly. The author encourages us to think like a plant, or rather, with the way his “How to Grow It” chapter is structured-- to think like vegetable “families”. By understanding that plants (and all variety of pests) are solely concerned with their own survival in a competitive world, we can achieve more plentiful gardens. Solomon favors extensive rather than intensive gardening, and explains why his experience tells him no till gardening is unsuccessful west of the Cascades. A change of heart with regard to methods for growing asparagus is a departure for this edition and will be of interest to anyone who has tried to sex an asparagus seedling or is faced with a plot of declining productivity.

For the Love of Insects, Thomas Eisner, 2005. The Belknap Press of Harvard University, 8 1/2 x 9 7/8 inches, 464 pages, $21.00 (paper).

This great book had been on my “must read” list since it was released in hardcover in 2003 and won several prestigious book awards for science. Now that I’ve read it, I can’t stop talking about it. Not only is this a book about the mind-blowing capacities insects have evolved to thrive in our fierce world, but the innovative Thomas Eisner and colleagues who have spent their lives studying the intricacies of tiny creatures that most never once contemplate. Photo buffs will enjoy the amazing images as well as the author’s tales of developing photographic techniques to suit his revolutionary experiments. Chemists will love the detailed descriptions of the volatile compounds insects wield for defense, and yet for those with little scientific training or interest, skipping these sections will not detract from the understanding of the experiments or the insects they elucidate. In the prologue, Eisner states his purpose for the book as “to involve the reader in the process of inquiry in hopes of not only strengthening the conviction of the entomophile, but of changing the attitude of the entomophobe.” He achieved that goal with me—while reading I couldn’t help but exclaim “Oh my gosh!” every half hour or so. Indeed, anyone who cherishes the inventiveness and tenacity of nature will find Eisner and this book fascinating.

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, Paul Stamets, 2005. Ten Speed Press, 7 3/8 x 9 inches, 352 pages, $35.00 (paper).

I saw Paul Stamets speak years ago and hoped that his book would convey his passionate knowledge of fungi in the same contagious way, and it does. This is not a field guide, nor is it an introduction to fungi and a familiarity with mycology helped my understanding of the terms in the book. Rather, it is an examination of the important contributions fungi make to natural systems and how they partner symbiotically with other living things. The information on mycorrhizae-plant relationships and fungal-based pesticides might be of the most practical interest to nursery growers, but from my perspective, the novel uses of fungi for environmental clean up are the most provocative sections. Using examples from our area (Stamets is a Washingtonian), he describes how fungi can be cultivated and used to restore ecosystems destroyed by commercial logging (mycoforestry), factory farming (mycofiltration) and clean up land polluted with toxic chemicals (mycoremediation). The book describes these processes in a persuasive and common sense way. Anyone wishing to grow their own mushrooms will find this book full of useful instruction to do so regardless of level of interest or purpose, whether that be for detoxifying soil contaminated with diesel fuel or for producing culinary delicacies.

Passionate Slugs and Hollywood Frogs: An Uncommon Field Guide to Northwest Backyards, Patricia K. Lichen, Illustrations by Linda M. Feltner, 2001. Sasquatch Books, 187 pages, 5 3/8 x 8 3/8”, $14.95 (paper).

This book, which sheds light on the myriad creatures that make their home in the cultivated garden, is a treat for those of us who know our flora, but not necessarily our fauna. The line drawings are charming, but most of all I love the format of individual profiles of animals, plants and phenomena. Perfect for reading aloud, the stories are pithy and entertaining. Lichen has written two other “Uncommon Field Guides” for the Northwest, on shorelines and on mountains. I read the mountain collection while staying at the Paradise Inn with my husband. What a perfect way to top off a day of hiking around Mt. Rainier than to read about its denizens by the fireplace. Each creature’s profile begins with the Latin and common name, descriptions of physical features and habitat and is then followed by often peculiar tidbits about mating rituals and other behaviors. In an amusing and enlightening way, Lichen demonstrates that the garden is first and foremost habitat and all inhabitants, even those we consider pests, have some contribution to make.

Helenium autumnale ‘Zimbelstern’ (Sneezeweed)

Florific is the word I’ve made up to describe this summer bloomer. Attracting beneficial insects like nobody’s business, it also is an excellent flower for cutting. Growing to 5-6’ in full sun, this perennial is a knockout that doesn’t cause allergies and couldn’t be easier to grow.

I am a huge fan of all Deutzias, which are floriferous, deciduous shrubs with an old fashioned feel. ‘Pride of Rochester’ is coated in June with fluffy, double white blossoms. This shrub is vase-shaped and needs room to spread at least 6’ and get as tall. Easy and pest free when grown in part or full sun.

I never met a Phlomis I didn’t like, but this species is the best of them. Lower growing than the typical Jerusalem sage; like a slow ground cover in form. From the mat of it’s large, felty leaves it sends out tall, stout stems with whorls of scented yellow flowers for a long time in early summer. Once the petals fade, the showy dried stems last for years indoors. Full sun.

This is a great rose in our climate because it is both trouble free and quite ornamental. The main draw is the foliage color: an unusual chalky, purple-blue that looks wonderful anywhere. But add the flash of small, bright pink roses in early summer, reliable fall hips and tough, drought tolerant demeanor and you can’t beat this large shrub. To 10’ in full sun or morning shade.

A native of delicate beauty and a wonderful groundcover for naturalizing (in other words, it re-seeds). Absolutely the epitome of spring when it leafs out in a fresh green and is covered with airy white flowers. Best in part shade.

A neat little native that resembles hens and chicks, this plant packs a punch in spring with its sunset colored blooms that seem to go on forever. Lewisia do require special garden conditions. They like moisture, but they need very fast draining soil or they rot. I have the best luck with them tucked into rock walls and in other garden areas with rocky, sandy soil.