Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths - by David A Francko (Paperback)

About the Book

Laced with humorous anecdotes and based on years of firsthand observations and research, this book provides real-world information to help adventurous gardeners grow plants they never before dreamed possible. Over 100 photos.

Book Synopsis

Palms that grow in Canada? Bananas that overwinter in Michigan? How about southern crape myrtles that flower in Birmingham, England, instead of Birmingham, Alabama? Although the voice of authority--and nursery labels--might say, "You can't grow those plants here," author Dave Francko has a different message for gardeners: "Plants can't read the information on their tags." Laced with humorous anecdotes and based on years of first-hand observations and research, this book provides real-world information to help adventurous gardeners grow plants they never before dreamed possible. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant label the same way again.

This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

Review Quotes

"I've been encouraged by this book." --The New York Times

"Helps adventurous gardeners grow plants they never dreamed possible." --Publishers Weekly

"With this highly readable guide in hand, plant lovers can look forward to the challenge and the prospect of animating their gardens with a new and expanded palette of exciting possibilities." --Booklist

"An adventurous guide to growing warm-climate plants in cold-winter climates." --Northwest Horticultural Society

"This guide is recommended for the gardening collections in public libraries." --American Reference Books Annual

"Adventurous gardeners will welcome this book. . . . With humorous asides and practical tips, Francko challenges cool-temperature gardeners to consider growing exotic, tropical plants that they have previously considered too tender for their climate." --American Gardener

"A groundbreaking new book." --Martha Stewart Living

"Francko dispels myth with his witty and knowledgeable slant on growing many varieties of plants." --National Gardener

"This book continues Timber Press' reputation as a publisher of broad-interest nature books with usefulness and appeal beyond the intended audience." --Plant Science Bulletin

"You can enjoy it without putting a shovel in the soil." --Michigan Observer and Eccentric

"A very personal account of gardening successes, written in a friendly, accessible style. . . . For anyone living in a cold climate and wanting to grow palms, this book may awaken an obsession that no therapist can touch." --Palms

"The discussion of physiology is at least as interesting as the plant descriptions and advice." --Pappus

About the Author

Hardy palm expert David Francko has recently been a featured guest on Martha Stewart Living TV, as well as NPR's Science Friday with Ira Flatow. Francko is chair of the Department of Botany at Miami University in Ohio and his academic specialty is aquatic plants. He is co-investigator on the unversity's Hardy Palms Project, and for many years he has experimented with warm-climate plants in his own gardens. Francko's findings have been published in scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences. As part of a network of adventurous gardeners living in cooler regions of the world, Francko refuses to accept the common wisdom that "Palms won't grow here."