A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden

This is a VERY comprehensive book about Salvias. I recommend it to anyone who is a gardener.

This book is an excellent reference for many salvias. Colorful pictures compliment a terrifically popular release from Timber Press. I met Betsy in 1992, when I had a wonderful opportunity to join a friend who at the time,who invited me to join him when visiting her large garden settings up at her home, several miles inland from the ocean, and situated in a lovely valley in the foothills of northern California. A truly devoted researcher, and a well-known plant researcher, you can always find Betsy at any plant symposium that went on in northern or southern California at the various arboreta and botanic gardens. I will never forget that one afternoon, as we helped fix a light lunch with her in her lovely bright and airy kitchen. With almost floor to ceiling windows surrounding us on the south wall, streams of light continually cascaded around us as we walked about the room. Nevin Smith and Betsy discussed the many salvias in her upper garden, as we looked just outside the house to the west. She began to mention several salvias from Mexico, and remarked how she was eager to add more to her collection from that part of the world. Then, she carefully took out a large natural wood box, and as she opened it, a huge stack of receipe cards almost spilled out all over the counter. Each card contained many years of notes, on different well-known, and also rare, unusual and little-known salvias. She remarked how full the box was getting. Nevin said "Well, you'll just have to write a book!" Betsy grinned and looked down shyly. We knew it was just a matter of time. And this IS that book. And we look forward to her writing more. And re: another reviewer of her book, about the fact the photos are all grouped in the center of the book. That is sometimes, the choice of the publisher and in this case I feel it is a good one, because when one reads the book, it is quite easy to go on reading for several pages and note more than one type of salvia, and then look up and reference to several photographs at a time. Plus, as this truly is a great reference book. As a commercial photographer of twenty years, I feel the photos will stay in better shape when the book may travel outside, into the garden. It is certainly not anything that I see detracts from the data the writer has provided, and the quality of photography on her submissions are high quality, indeed. Thanks Betsy, I love your book. I may be managing my own nursery soon, and this will be one of my main reference books for the gardening public to hear about, as well as have an opportunity to purchase on our retail book shelves. I am honored to be able to publicly comment on the dedicated work you have done over the years, and how this is such a great accomplishment to bring this work to share with so many gardeners. We all eagerly await the next one! Chris Bryan, Horticultural Video Producer/Commercial Photographer

A gem of a book for all those who love or grow salvias in North America. Not only are the descriptions excellent, but so are most of the photographs. As a plus, the author suggests companion plants to use with specific varieties. This is a 'must' for all lovers of salvias.