Overview

Far from another guide on how to grow plants, A Gardener's Guide to Botany takes a fascinating and revelatory look at the inner workings of the plants in your garden and home. Prepare to dive into the breathtaking science behind your favorite plants in this beautiful, coffee table-worthy book. In layman's language, botanist Scott Zona imparts all his #plantnerd wisdom on you by sharing the wonders of how different plant parts function, what separates plants from humans, how their evolutionary history impacts their success in the garden, and how the adaptations they 've developed over the eons influence everything from their leaf patterns and shapes to their growth habits, hormones, and metabolism. It's the curious low-down on all things botanical, including plant sex, photosynthesis, insect relationships, and even plant sleep!

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9780760374450

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Reviews

A Gardener's Guide to Botany distils the complex topic of botany down to essential information that a gardener of any level will find immensely useful. Author Scott Zona achieves this without 'dumbing down' or oversimplifying the information. Instead, he offers precisely what a gardener needs to know and reminds us that gardening is not merely an art or a craft, but that it is science. This book will make better gardeners out of all of us. --Matt Mattus, author of Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening and Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening As a self- confessed plant geek without any formal training, I have often found gaps in my knowledge of botany. However, I have finally found a straightforward guide to understanding this fascinating world, with simple explanations, clear illustrations, and a delivery that doesn't assume prior knowledge of the subject! Love it!!! --Michael Perry, hortpreneur and founder of mrplantgeek.com Gardening is a wonderful hobby that is made all the better by a deeper understanding of the plants we grow. Within these pages, Dr. Scott Zona introduces readers to the inner workings of our botanical companions in a way that is fascinating, easy to understand, and often beautifully illustrated. For those looking to take their gardening hobby to the next level, this book is for you! --Dr. Matt Candeias, author and host of the In Defense of Plants podcast I taught introductory botany for 43 years. Had A Gardener's Guide to Botany been available as a textbook, I would have used it every year. Dr. Scott Zona has done a superb job explaining plant biology in a delightful and accurate way. I recommend it without hesitation. --Prof. Karl J. Niklas, Cornell University This is the book I have been waiting for! Dr Zona explains the hows and whys of plant science in a way that everyone can understand, demystifying terms such as polyploidy and angiosperm. This is a must-read for all gardeners who want to expend their understanding of the plants they grow. --Jane Perrone, creator and host of the On the Ledge podcast

"""...a source of information that’s not only trusted and highly credible, but also approachable for readers at any level and an absolute joy to read."" * Awkward Botany * ""Zona does an excellent job of explaining the scientific background of plants in great detail and giving definitions along the way to expand readers’ full understanding. This highly recommended book is a fine addition to all gardening collections."" -- Lori Wetherell * Library Journal * ""If you share a lack of botanical knowledge and are interested in truly understanding plant life, A Gardener’s Guide to Botany by Scott Zona (Cool Springs Press, 2023) will educate you in a witty, informative manner."" * Triangle Gardener * “The author’s explanations of concepts made this book so easy and fun to read. It made we wish I had this book when I was studying biology in high school and college.” -- Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago, 2023 AHS Book Award Committee Member “When I was reading it, I found myself thinking, wow, plants are so freaking amazing and I just want to grow them all.” -- Viveka Neveln, 2023 AHS Book Award Committee Member “Useful for people at different levels of learning—it’s for readers who want a deeper understanding.” -- Kimberly Toscano Holmes, 2023 AHS Book Award Committee Chair “Scott Zona is a wizard of botany!... The dude just came out with a great book… it’s Scott Zona’s botany crash course!”  * Joey Santore, Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t podcast *"

Author Information

Dr. Scott Zona is a botanist, researcher, and educator with a focus on tropical plants. For 9 years he served as the curator of the Wertheim Conservatory and Greenhouses at Florida International University in Miami, where he directed the restoration of the conservatory and maintained their research plant collections. Dr. Zona has collaborated with scientists worldwide on plant ecology research and has taught graduate- and undergraduate-level courses on tropical plant taxonomy. He guides garden tours and workshops for students, garden clubs, and the general public. In addition, he was a palm biologist with the Center for Tropical Plant Conservation at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Florida. He also educates houseplant enthusiasts through his online course, The Botany of Houseplants.

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