Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124666 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 308 pages

From Booklist
An irresistible title combined with Francko's solid credentials--as a scientist, botany professor, and, moreover, a zealous gardener--should signal to other keen gardeners that here is someone who understands the desire to push the proverbial envelope when it comes to selecting plant material for the garden. In a wonderfully forthright style, Francko sets about defining warm-climate plants and offering advice on how to grow such specimens in temperate climates. Green thumbs of varying abilities will find the guidance to introduce unusual species, as Francko arms readers with the know-how to acclimate plants; identify microclimates; choose companion plants; and provide for adequate culture and care of cold-hardy palms as well as a wealth of architectural evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, and exotics. 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. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"A 'must-have' book for the adventurous gardener. . . . The definitive text for those not afraid to the push the envelope." -- Tamar Myers, The Temperate Zone Chapter of the International Palm Society

"An indispensible, fun-to-read resource for amateur as well as seasoned gardeners. . . . David Francko's book will revolutionize your gardening ideas." -- Gerry McKiness, owner, Gerry's Jungle

"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, March/April 2003 (American Gardener )

"Francko's book is a treasure. His tips will help increase the odds thta we'll be able to get away with planting ... species that up until"
—George Weigel, People Places Plants, Spring 2004 (People Places Plants )

"Helps adventurous gardeners grow plants they never dreamed possible."
—Publishers Weekly, May 17, 2003 (Publishers Weekly )

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, March/April 2003 (American Gardener )

Francko's book is a treasure. His tips will help increase the odds thta we'll be able to get away with planting ... species that up until George Weigel, People Places Plants, Spring 2004 (People Places Plants )

Helps adventurous gardeners grow plants they never dreamed possible. Publishers Weekly, May 17, 2003 (Publishers Weekly )

Witty and knowledgeable . . . [Francko] gives gardeners hope of having a garden singularly different from all others. -- — Joanne S. Carpender, The National Gardener Magazine, February 2003

About the Author
Dave Francko is chair of the Department of Botany at Miami University in Ohio. His academic specialty is aquatic plants. He is co-investigator on the university's Hardy Palm 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."

Customer Reviews

Finally , something exotic for zone 7 thru zone 5
I now feel better prepared to handle whatever winter throws at me in the future. I had met Dr.Francko 2 years prior to this best seller and I can truthfully say I had no palms or plants to perish in two minus 5 * F events here , this past winter .
The Windmill palms are growing feverishly in march now and Needle Palms and Sable Minors seem to grow a tad faster than Dr.Francko reports. Lantana , long a colorful favorite for the entire growing season in the southern areas does 'come back' as a perrinal if mulched good in zone 6 .
If you really want to have the most amazing yard in your town and if you really want to have that personal satisfaction that comes with successful gardening , get this book . You wont be alone anymore.

A book for the avid gardener
I have been awaiting a book like this for a long time. This is a must-have book for those who would like to expand their gardening interest and adding some exciting and unusual specimens to their landscape.

This book provides info on trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perrenials that are mostly untried in common landscaping. My favorites are the chapters on hardy palms, bananas, and cannas. But there are a myriad of other species that would hold anyone's interest. This book is valuable for those experimental gardeners in zones 5, 6 and 7.

The author gives valauble advice on the cultivation of each species- including over-wintering tips. The book is practical in its approach to gardening. It is also easily understandable. I even love the section at the end of the book for sources for obtaining plants. The only thing that disappointed me was that I would have loved more color photos of plants.

All in all a great book for the library and a must-have for the subtropical gardener.

Gardening: From chore to obsession
After many visits to southern California, I was tired of envying their plant options so I did some serious internet searches to find tropical plants or those with a tropical feel that will grow in zone 6. I found enough useful information to get started but not enough feel confident. Some gardening tips were contradictory and there were big "how to'" gaps as well. I actually found this book through those searches. It is a great read and I now feel I have the tools create a backyard that I can truly be excited about. I only wish that it spent less space on crepe myrtles and other southeastern plants and more space on hardy tropicals. But he wasn't writing it for me so I'll stick with 5 stars.