Re: What is your favorite humorous gardening book?

**"* M* <h*@bostongardens.com>**

Although it has been noted already, "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs, An 
Illustrated Encyclopedia" gets an additional nod from me for its frequent 
humor and personal anecdotes.

I once reviewed it for a publication and they removed all references to 
humor or Dirr's personality. After all, encyclopedias are supposed to be dry 
and stuffy, they implied. It seemed as though I was reviewing a magazine 
article, I was told.

So, here's my chance again to quote the man:

"I have tried to love this species ..."

"...overgrown specimens  ...  tend to assume the appearance of an old brush 
pile."

"...you might as well send a formal dinner invitation to the bronze birch 
borer."

"...in the real shrub sweepstakes, this plant would never survive the first 
round of cuts."

"The exceptionally foul-smelling flowers ... can ruin a late-spring 
barbecue."

"The fierce, drying winds ... do not faze this tough hombre."

"Although promoted as stress adaptable, it has not lived up to the press 
clippings."

"... a somewhat persnickety landscape plant."

"The variation in this species has caused many good taxonomists to lose 
their minds."

"... has been around forever ... [appears] worn-out, tired, and bedraggled."

"Newton's Law of Gravity had nothing to do with falling apples; falling 
osage-oranges prompted the theory."

Of course, I also loved his many references to Boston and Cape Cod. I had 
the pleasure of meeting him several times the year (?) he spent at the 
Arnold Arboretum.

Best regards,  Hilda

Hilda M. Morrill, Writer/Editor
Garden Writers Association, Member
www.bostonevents.com
www.bostongardens.com
www.bostontravel.com

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