Lester G. E. Rowntree (1879-1979), free-spirited adventurer and pioneering botanist, was fifty-two when she traded a comfortable home for the life of a peripatetic traveler in the California mountains, deserts, and forests. Through hundreds of magazine and journal articles, two acclaimed books, and uncounted public lectures, Rowntree shared her vast knowledge of California native plants and at the same time argued passionately for the protection of the state's bountiful flora. A mountain mystic who worshipped on Sierra peaks, bathed in alpine streams, and lived for months on beans and bread, Rowntree has remained an inspiration in native plant horticulture and plant conservation to this day.
A beloved classic first published in 1936, "Hardy Californians "is Rowntree's poetic sketch of California and its plant life. In charming prose, she takes us along on her annual seed-collecting journey through the state and gives a concise introduction to the complexities of California flora, climate, and geography. The book also gives information on the suitability of many native California plants for the garden. This new edition includes a comprehensive biographical essay, a chapter on Rowntree's horticultural legacy, an updated species list, and a complete bibliography of her writings.
| List of Illustrations | |
| Preface to the 2006 Edition | |
| About Lester: A Biographical Sketch | |
| A Reflective Essay | |
| Author's Preface | |
| Fool's Gold | |
| On Top of the World | |
| Coming Down the Mountain--At Timber Line | |
| Coming Down the Mountain--The Meadows | |
| Coming Down the Mountain--Rivers and Forests Begin | |
| The Contemned Buckwheats | |
| Pentstemons | |
| Lupins | |
| Violas | |
| North of San Francisco | |
| Perennial Odds and Ends | |
| Some of California's Wild Bulbs | |
| Some Annuals--But Not the Common Ones | |
| How to Grow Them | |
| Updated Species List | |
| A Bibliography of Lester Rowntree's Publications | |
| Index | |
| Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780520250512
ISBN-10: 0520250516
Audience:
Professional
Format:
Paperback
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 391
Published: 17th November 2006
Dimensions (cm): 22.6 x 16.0
x 2.997
Weight (kg): 0.714