Name: Briar's Reviews's review of Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening by Matt Mattus
Item: Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening
Rating: 5
Author: Briar's Reviews

Matt Mattus

A comprehensive and highly practical study of the art of growing flowers, Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening presents expert tips on growing both annuals and biennials (including native and heirloom species) alongside 300+ lush photographs. This gorgeously illustrated book by Matt Mattus is based on decades of first-hand experience in his own garden—every variety or cultivar presented is one that he has personally tested and grown. Mattus sets you up for success by first providing everything you need to know about starting seeds, soil, sowing, hardening off, transplanting, plugs, growing on, cutting, and saving seed. Then you'll find tips for growing over 100 different annuals from seedand 12 types of spring and summer bulbs—all based on his hands-on experience, going beyond the information available on the seed packet. Every one of the hundreds of stunning photographs is taken personally by Mattus from the flowers growing on his own farm in Massachusetts. Just a small selection of the annuals covered: aster, cornflower, chrysanthemum, impatiens, larkspur, California poppy, delphiniums, sunflowers, morning glory, kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate, salvia, and zinnia. The bulbs are allium, anemone, ranunculus, fritillaria, freesia, tulips, lily of the valley, true lilies, canna, calla, gladiolus, and dahlia. In short, there is nothing ordinary about this book—it is unlike any other cut flower book you will find anywhere.

A Gardener s Guide to Growing Flowers, from Today s Favorites to Unusual Varieties

Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening

Briar's Reviews

I have a little hobby garden for the butterflies in my area, so this book was a natural fit for me. I'm truly curious on how to take my hobby a little more seriously than just me guessing at what to plant and hoping for the best!

To start off, the very first page of my copy was stunning - beautiful flowers with beautiful colours. What more can a flower loving girl ask for?! Throughout the book there are many pictures of plants and flowers that liven up the pages. It's a definite plus of this book! 

"We might all know how to grow a dahlia." Boy do I wish! Mine get eaten up every year by some pesky squirrels, even when I used chicken wire! So clearly, this book was made for me. Some handy, dandy flower tips for my inner amateur gardener!

I will say I learned a lot just within the seed section. I grow a lot of random flowers for the fun of it, kind of just to see what I get. The tips on what sort of plants are better bought versus grown was truly intriguing. I never thought much about it or thought to ask (mostly because my local greenhouses always tend to contradict everything say they). 

When Matt gets to the actual plants, I was shocked and surprised and at the same time not surprised at all. My crocus always grew well, so hearing that they do indeed grow well and it's not my gardening prowess was exciting and disappointing all at the same time! Learning what plants grow together in clumps, what bulbs I should order when, and when to plant them was well needed information. All of this information is presented like the everyday man - you don't need to be an expert to pick up this book. I almost wish I had this book sooner, but I'm glad our Spring season is coming up so I can make some use of these helpful tips!

I was also overjoyed to find information on how to prune lilacs as that has been something I have been personally looking for the past few years. I had conflicting reports on whether to prune them or not, so it was nice to see a fellow gardener agreed that I should prune them. Another fun thing I learned was why my lavender did not do well: it likes sandy environments and needs great water drainage (both of which were not present). Overall, I learned a LOT and now have many new flower varieties I will be trying in my own garden.

I can't quite find any negatives about this book other than sometimes I wanted more information. This is a beginner's guide, so don't expect every piece of scientific information possible. For beginners like me, this is a great way to get started and learn. 

Overall, this book is an excellent guide. I learned a lot and plan to use it. I highly recommend it to other hobby flower gardeners!

Five out of five stars! 

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Cool Springs Press for the opportunity to pick up this wonderful little guide! My butterflies and bees thank you!

Briar's Reviews &
Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening by Matt Mattus

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Briar's Reviews &Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening by Matt Mattus

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Briar's Reviews &
Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening by Matt Mattus