Helpful Score: 1
The author, a British poet and avid gardener, gives reasons why his list of 100 seeds are worthy of being planted in your garden. The list is comprised of plants he has successfully grown from seed over the last decade. The chapters include flowers for color, size, 'hopping' ability, cutting, tropical look, or climbing abilities. Since seeds are usually procured in packets, one cannot help but think that the cost of these 100 packets would be at least $150.00, probably more, and what about all that left-over seed? Better to find a few friends willing to share the cost and seeds before venturing into such a task. I'm not sure how much garden would be needed by this amount of seed either. I am not much of a flower gardener but I found most of his list interesting and appropriate for zone 5 conditions in the USA. I will probably try some of his suggestions. He also lists a mixture of British and American sources of books and seeds, in print and on the web, plus a reminder list of how to grow from seed. The book is an easy read with a few line drawings. One can look the latin names on the internet for pictures and further information. There are a few terms that I was not familiar with, like 'umbellifer', that may need a dictionary's help. Also, he recommends watering seedlings with "an upturned rose." That sounds rather labor intensive!
