Title: Fronds and Anemones: Essays on Gardening and Nature
Author: Dr. William Allan Plummer
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-1449-9
Pages: 246
Genre: Gardening / Regional
Reviewed by: Susan Hart
Pacific Book Review
A garden is a place of beauty and grandeur which becomes a haven of peace and tranquility under the watchful eye of a dedicated gardener. It represents hard work, foresight and planning. For many, it is a life’s work, and so it is with author Dr. William Plummer. Fronds and Anemones: Essays on Gardening and Nature is a collection which were written for Corning, New York’s Spencer Crest Nature Center newsletter, plus for a scattering of other nature-based organizations. The essays pay homage to his love and fascination for the natural world, manifesting itself in a passion for gardening.
That fascination began at an early age, sparked by an interest in birds, extending to a curiosity about wildflowers, and finally taking root in his home garden about which he says, “…is not finished and never will be. That is the beauty of a garden. I am still adding plants even after 50 years.” The essays follow the evolution of his unfolding enthusiasm for horticulture — he took the hand nature gave him on a wooded lot and through cultivation and management techniques created a garden that expressed his own interests and tastes.
Then he wrote about it. Dr. Plummer takes the reader down his garden path of discovery about a wide-range of subjects. He kicks off the book with a look at his early bird watching days. Then there are detailed and thorough examinations of all things fronds, spring flowers in bloom, wild plants, woodland wonders, pruning and a smattering of miscellaneous information on topics like tools, weather, plant hardiness and paths and walls. Through it all, Dr. Plummer regales the reader with his witty wordplay, amusing anecdotes and personal insights.
As a gardener, I was particularly delighted by the chapter that detailed a year in his garden. To see through his eyes the charm which each season brings with it speaks to the very heart of why I garden; with some forethought a garden’s glory can be enjoyed year-round. One caveat from Dr. Plummer not to be ignored is “Spring is the season of rebirth, but fall is when plants start to prepare for that rebirth.” Planning is key.
The last chapter of the book is a travelogue about gardens, both private and public, around the country Dr. Plummer explored. It’s not only an eye-opening look at what thrives in the diverse growing zones that make us this country, but valuable information for all home gardeners.
Finally, before the references and index, there are a few pages of garden quotes. This one, “If you have a Garden and a Library, you have everything you need,” is the author’s favorite. Add Fronds and Anemones to your bookshelf and you will, indeed, understand why this is so. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in plants and or gardening. It contains an amazing amount of good information that any gardener will cherish.
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