Well, it’s finally here, that book that I’ve been talking about for the past three years and which some of you might have thought was a figment of my imagination.
Truth be told, there were times when I, too, felt a bit delusional while trying to piece together what is probably the most comprehensive guide to edible ornamentals ever produced – an A to Z compendium that starts with Akebia and ends with Zingiber, which brought me to gardens across the Fraser Valley, Gulf and Vancouver Islands in search of those elusive, but beautiful edibles.
This is my third gardening book, but the first which I authored by myself, rather than my previous publications, which were compilations that I contributed to and edited.
There have been a few people over the years who have suggested that that format would be the only means through which I could be published, but I am hoping that the singular author mentioned on the cover of this book brings that particular theory to a timely end. Which is not to say that I am not proud of my previous endeavors – A Grower’s Choice and A Place in the Rain – Designing the West Coast Garden – as both of these books made plant selection and garden design more accessible for average people through the diverse perspective of numerous garden experts.
Probably the most important thing I learned while putting Extraordinary Ornamental Edibles together was that gardens are about people, not plants.
And while my name is on the cover of this book, it certainly wouldn’t be there without the help of dozens of my fellow horticulturists, who were kind enough to share their bounty of knowledge and beautiful gardens.
Without people, cultivated landscapes serve no purpose whatsoever and, of course, what we do as individuals always has some sort of motive behind it.
Mine was to provide both novice and experienced gardeners with the full spectrum of beautiful edibles, all in one volume.
Speaking of which, the designers at Douglas and McIntyre did a superb job of creating a functional guide that rivals some of the best coffee table books out there.
Between the pages you will find over 300 full-colour photos printed on thick bond and a wipe-able softcover, making it useful for lugging around to the nursery while you’re out shopping for plants.
There are 100 main selections, each provided with an image of the fruit and ornamental aspect, as well as all the pertinent growing information such as sun exposure, pollination needs and harvest time.
In addition to these, there are several hundred alternate plant suggestions which are bound to please the chefs (unusual spices such as saffron), plant collectors (hardy orange and jujube) and tea drinkers (green, Linden and herbal options) among us.
The book is dedicated to my three daughters – Nicole, Rochelle and Madeleine – as I wouldn’t be the man I am today without them. My children have given me a real sense of nurture, one which has extended to the world around me through the gardens I design.
I also learned this from the matriarch of the family, my ‘Gran,’ whose gardening skills were only surpassed by the unconditional love she gave me through all circumstances, however difficult. Which is why you will find my stories throughout this book, be it childhood experiences or just those about my fellow gardeners I have encountered over the years, because the plants serve no purpose unless there is someone to care for them and ultimately share them with others – which is what I hope to do with this book.
Mike Lascelle is a local nursery
manager and gardening author
(hebe_acer@hotmail.com).