The Encyclopedia of Herbs

Description

This meticulously researched compendium provides every aspect of growing, identifying, harvesting, preserving, and using more than 500 species of herbs. Thorough profiles provide a plant's botanical name and family, whether it is an annual or perennial, its height, hardiness, light requirements, water consumption, required soil type, and pH. The often fascinating history of the plant, the chemistry of its essential oils, and its culinary, landscape, and craft uses are also included, as is advice on how to propagate. For the first edition of their work, both authors received The Gertrude B. Foster Award for Excellence in Herbal Literature from the Herb Society of America. This new edition adds important species and includes updated nomenclature.

Art Tucker - Dr. Arthur O. Tucker to his students at Delaware State University in Dover - is a botanist specializing in the identification and chemistry of plants of flavor, fragrance, and medicine. In his capacity as Research Professor and Director of the Claude E. Phillips Herbarium, he has had the fortunate opportunity to work with all age groups, from young children to retirees, and a wide variety of ethnic groups to help them better appreciate herbs. As an advisor and writer for numerous scientific and popular gardening magazines, Art has helped untold numbers grow healthier herbs, bring in better harvests, and simply enjoy herbal flavors and fragrances more fully. DeBaggio's Herb Farm and Nursery, founded by Thomas DeBaggio in Arlington, VA in 1975 and now located in Chantilly, VA, is a celebration of herbs both classic and new - and the people who love them. DeBaggio wrote extensively for leading gardening and herb magazines, including The Herb Companion until diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 1999. He is also the author of Growing Herbs from Seed Cutting and Root: An Adventure in Small Miracles, and, with Susan Belsinger, The Basil Book: An Herb Lover's Guide. In 2000, DeBaggio passed his legacy on to his son, Francesco and wrote two books on his experiences with the early stages of his disease.

"The book has been added to, tightened up, and well edited to become a modern equivalent of the classic herbal. If I could have only one herbal reference in my library, without a doubt it would be The Encyclopedia of Herbs."