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  • From: apismno@aol.com
  • To: gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [gwl-g] Horticulture Mag
  • Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:12:29 -0500

As someone who is mostly a lurker, I contribute very few comments, but botanical names as listed in Index Kewensis are my personal standard as to the quality of all writing about plants.  I spent over a decade answering questions via "phone and snail mail for an academic institution and absorbed the idea that if we all use the same nomenclature worldwide then we can understand what we are talking about.  I have encountered several Master Gardeners who feel that English names as used in their towns should be the only names used.  That attitude immediately discontinues any further attention to their remarks, even as to whether the sun will rise tomorrow.    I live in an upper income community near Boston and find that the overwhelming majority of the population can't distinguish between a plastic Ficus in a pot and a real Ficus.  Fake plants about equal real ones in local buildings.  I'd also like to have deeply knowledgeable people caring for the landscape, but that might be a silly dream.

Barbara Emeneau


-----Original Message-----
From: Sheri Ann Richerson <SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com>
To: 'gardenwriters-on-gardening' <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:31 am
Subject: Re: [gwl-g] Horticulture Mag

Nancy and all -

I have long felt like the majority of American gardening magazines have left
much to be desired. I used to get the European gardening magazines as I felt
like there was some substance to them.

Don't get me wrong, there are still and have been in the past, some nice
American gardening magazines, but pretty pictures, while nice, do not quince
my thirst for knowledge. I want deep, detailed information with some nice
tips. I want to know more about unusual plants. We don't all want hosta and
daylily. Not that there is anything wrong with those plants.

What really appalled me - and maybe this is why magazines are more fluff
than anything else - was when I attended a Master Gardener meeting and heard
them talking about how much they hated seeing botanical names in magazines.
They said "all writers should use common names." Well, I tried to explain it
to them but alas they did not get it.

Even more appalling was when one of them referenced Jo Ellen's book and said
"I don't know who this person is or where she lives so I do not know if this
information is true for us." 

WOW! The title of the book is "Indiana Gardeners Guide" and I believe there
is a photo of Jo Ellen in the book and a short bio that tells that she lives
in Indiana and writes for the Indianapolis Star. 

I wanted to scream, can't you read? But instead, I politely explained that
Jo Ellen lived in Indianapolis, and was an excellent writer and gardener, so
they could head her advice. 

Then again, after giving numerous talks to local groups and hearing whispers
of "I wish she would speak in English and use common names," my husband says
when my new garden book comes out - it is in the editing process now - that
they will buy it and say "I wonder who this person is." HA.

Sheri



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