Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas

by David A. Francko

Palms that grow in Canada? Bananas that overwinter in Michigan? How about southern crape myrtles that flower in Birmingham, England, instead of Birmingham, Alabama? Although the voice of authority — and nursery labels — might say, "You can't grow those plants here," author Dave Francko has a different message for "Plants can't read the information on their tags." Laced with humorous anecdotes and based on years of first-hand observations and research, this book provides real-world information to help adventurous gardeners grow plants they never before dreamed possible. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant label the same way again.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

267 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed and comprehensive. for the aficionado

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good techniques and tips. Great info on the (un)helpfulness of growing zones.

I was, however, totally dismayed to read species suggestions that include a number of notorious invasives that folks spend lots of good money trying to remove from native ecosystems when they escape cultivation.

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book for learning how to grow tropicals in a temperate zone like ours. Or basically moderating micro climates.