Product Description

This handsome guide, written by an ever-practical expert on shade gardening, "tells almost as much about the mechanics of moss gardening as the Kama Sutra does about dancing."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #213825 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 262 pages

From Booklist
Schenk, author of three other horticultural books, points out that traces of moss have been found in 400-million-year-old fossils. There are 15,000 living moss species, 1,200 of them in North America. Schenk defines the varieties of moss plants and follows with chapters on moss gardens in Japan (a garden in Kyoto was designed in the fourteenth century) and on gardens in Europe and North America. There are chapters on mossy rocks, moss carpets, alpine gardens, growing moss in containers, and the use of moss as ground covers beneath bonsai trees. Schenk lists approximatety 60 plants alphabetically by genus, with advice on propagating, cultivating, and transplanting. Includes 97 color photographs. George Cohen

Review
"Read [this book] if you want to gain a healthy respect for and excitement about mosses."
—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, February 17, 2001 (The Washington Post )

"Schenk has a gift of gab as great his gift of vision. He introduces his subjects enticingly, then starts to get technical ...Indeed, there is much more here than any one of us would suspect possible. The photographs, too, are amazingly varied, considering they are all of moss ...Schenk's book will open our eyes and instruct our fingers. His own dirt-stained hands are his offered proof of his right to write this book — and a most convincing one."
—Ann Lovejoy, Seattle Times, February 1, 2000 (Seattle Times )

"The book's best feature is its stunning close-up photography. High-quality color photographs by the author and others lovingly bring these tiny plants into view. These modest plants are anything but humble when seen close-up. For those of us who see beautry in a moss carpet or a lichen-covered rock, here, finally, is a book worthy of a place on the gardening shelf."
—Jim Bennett, Fine Gardening, January/February 1998 (Fine Gardening )

Read [this book] if you want to gain a healthy respect for and excitement about mosses. Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, February 17, 2001 (The Washington Post )

Schenk has a gift of gab as great his gift of vision. He introduces his subjects enticingly, then starts to get technical ...Indeed, there is much more here than any one of us would suspect possible. The photographs, too, are amazingly varied, considering they are all of moss ...Schenk's book will open our eyes and instruct our fingers. His own dirt-stained hands are his offered proof of his right to write this book and a most convincing one. Ann Lovejoy, Seattle Times, February 1, 2000 (Seattle Times )

Schenk has a gift of gab as great his gift of vision. He introduces his subjects enticingly, then starts to get technical. ... Indeed, there is much more here than any one of us would suspect possible. The photographs, too, are amazingly varied, considering they are all of moss. ... Schenk's book will open our eyes and instruct our fingers. His own dirt-stained hands are his offered proof of his right to write this book-and a most convincing one. -- Ann Lovejoy Seattle Times 20000201 "It is the most clearly written book on mosses that I have run across. There is a chapter on growing moss in containers, but, even better a chapter devoted to moss for Bonsai!! Oh, happy day! I have found information on this subject to be scarce, but here it is covered in detail. Mention is made of the Pacific Rim Collection and comments by David De Grott. A very nice book which, in my opinion, is the most detailed discussion of moss, written for the layman, to be found anywhere. Check it out. -- Gary Bolstridge Rhode Island Bonsai Society 20000201 We think it will be difficult to top the broad coverage, detailed advice based on personal experiences, and delightful humor to be found in abundance in Moss Gardening. Bravo, George Schenk! HortIdeas 20000201 It is not often that a book comes along -- and in particular a gardening book-- that turns over contentedly underground attitudes and stimulates an about-face. ...Is not only heartfelt and witty but informative and well-written, I haven't wanted to miss much. -- Christopher Andreae Christian Science Monitor 19970512 The author's passionate prose and exquisite photography make this a surprisingly good read. -- Don Burns San Mateo County Times 19970517 The book's best feature is its stunning close-up photography. High-quality color photographs by the author and others lovingly bring these tiny plants into view. These modest plants are anything but humble when seen close-up. For those of us who see beauty in a moss carpet or a lichen-covered rock, here, finally, is a book worthy of a place on the gardening shelf. -- Jim Bennett Fine Gardening 19980101 Schenk's style is highly informative yet deeply relaxing to read... Timber Press has created a beautiful glossy-paged book which truly enhances the writing and photographs. -- Madeleine Wilde Kirkland Courier 19980801 Lavishly illustrated with full color photos and entertainingly written-a beautifully designed quality hardcover typical of the outstanding books published by Timber Press. -- Charles Sutton Vermont Country Sampler 19970201 With its exceptional photographs and poetically written text, simply a beautiful book. Northeastern Naturalist 20000201 This book is a delight to read. -- Dilys Davis Hardy Plant 20000201 The main problem that I have when I come upon a good book dealing with plants that I didn't know previously in detail, is that I am tempted to grow such plants. That's exactly what happened when I read this book on mosses, lichens, liverworts and other miniature plants. -- Lucio Russo Cactus and Co. 19991226 This delightful and entertaining book would surely help to convert a few traditional moss-haters to the Chosen Way. Compass 20000301 Moss Gardening, Including Lichens, Liverworts, and Other Miniatures helps to sort out the often confusing differences between these wonderful plants and offers fresh perspectives to garden design with the use of these ancient plants. -- Anne Kivari Into the Garden 20000110 Moss Gardening by George Schenk will inspire you to change that damp strange corner of you garden/lawn frame nuisance to a small offbeat, but charming spot. -- Marilis Hornidge Rockland Courier-Gazette 20000516 Read [this book] if you want to gain a healthy respect for and excitement about mosses. -- Joel M. Lerner Washington Post 20010217 A very enjoyable and informative book to read. Charlottesville Daily Progress 20010313 If you are struggling with moss in your lawn and trying to decide which way to go, grass or moss, read this book. It teaches you how to propagate, cultivate, and transplant mosses. Whether you're a botanist or amateur this book is a pleasurable and witty read. -- Naomi Buckman Conway Daily Sun 20010713 One of the best books on mosses ever written. -- Peter Loewer Wild Gardener 20020103 This delightful book opens our eyes to mosses and other miniature plants in gardens... Many excellent color photographs inspire the reader to try growing these miniatures or to examine them more carefully... This book... recieved an American Horticulture Award. -- Kennith A. Wilson Fiddlehead Forum 20020423 An exciting read for anyone with an appreciation for the sensuous qualities of moss. -- Cynthia Cushing Western Living 20021103 Lays out practical information on some of the common mosses and nonmosses... The book's high-quality photographs may inspire area gardeners to look again at these versatile, unobtrusive plants. -- Lynn Remly Northern Virginia Journal 20030416 Lovely photos and good information. -- Norie Burnet Woodland Garden 20030729 Moss Gardening is probably the most user-friendly resource out there for the home gardener ... Almost 100 color photos will surely inspire any novice and experienced moss gardener. -- George Graine Virginia Master Gardeners Association Report 20030712 Many a frustrated lawn-grower could find this book a turning point. -- Diane Heilenman Louisville Courier-Journal 20041120 The last word on the subject. -- Fran Gustman Allston-Brighton Tab 20041126 This, another of his classics, is for anyone who has contemplated making lemonade from lemons, or a moss garden from a failed, shady lawn. -- Diane Heilenman Gannett News Service 20041211 George Schenk's beautiful book is perhaps the first to cover the whole gamut of moss gardening. Moss Gardening is sure to become a classic, not only because it covers 'almost as much about the mechanics of moss gardening as the Kama Sutra does about dancing,' but also for the author's entertaining writing style. Fremontia 20030701 Passionate and authoritative. -- Irene Virag Newsday 20080817

The book's best feature is its stunning close-up photography. High-quality color photographs by the author and others lovingly bring these tiny plants into view. These modest plants are anything but humble when seen close-up. For those of us who see beautry in a moss carpet or a lichen-covered rock, here, finally, is a book worthy of a place on the gardening shelf. Jim Bennett, Fine Gardening, January/February 1998 (Fine Gardening )

About the Author
A former nurseryman and landscaper, George Schenk retired from business to pursue his related passions of designing and planting gardens and writing about them. He splits his time between gardens and residences in Seattle, North Vancouver, Auckland, and Manila. He is a specialist in the sculpture of the tribes of the Philippine Cordillera and is active in the effort to preserve their cultural heritage. Schenk is the author of several magazine articles and books. His book Moss Gardening won the Book Award of the American Horticultural Society; his The Complete Shade Gardener has been recognized by the society as one of America's seventy-five "Great American Garden Books."

Customer Reviews

Good one
I recommend this book to begineers, it is nicely written and easy to understand. Will definitely encourage you into moss growing.

I would have appreciated a mean of identifying the types of moss that already grow in my garden, maybe some magnified pictures ? There are in this book but maybe not close enough. Although there are 15000 types of moss, maybe it is too tricky.

Good book anyway

Moss Gardening is marvelous!
Impressively illustrated with glorious full color photographs of the many & various moods of moss gardening from a tilled sand Zen meditation complete with mossy stones to wild, serene woodlands carpeted with lush colonies glowing in slanting sunshine, this is one Edenesque read. If you know of anyone with moss on their minds, this is a unique love story of one fellow who bent down to earth to study these little green plants. As magnificent as the subject itself. Very well done!

Esoteric, beautiful, reverent book for moss & lichen lovers
This is a beautiful book, and I treasure it. I've shared it with several others who value the green mosses and lichens of the outdoors and they were also impressed. It is high quality paper, every picture (abundant) is in color. The descriptions are thorough. It is a treasured book of mine, one of my favorites for information and for pleasure. The joy of moss and worts.