When plants are 70% off I tend to over-indulge. Who wouldn't? Especially when the fence line could use a little, ok A LOT, of visual interest. I loaded up my cart with zinnias, hibiscus, and caladiums and paid a mere $25 for my car load of goodies. Wooooooo hooooooooooooo!
Because the Texas sun delivers a whopping 100 degrees in the afternoon and my purple plastic wading pool only stays cool for an hour or so- I planned out placements and then pulled out my fave gardening books to relax in the shade.
Although I have modern books on these same subjects I still prefer vintage reference guides. Many provide more details and plain talk on identifying species of birds, insects, plants, and trees. I imagine how families might have used these books on trips to state parks and shorelines.
Peterson's 1963, Field Guide To The Birds Of Texas is one of my constant companions. It has everything from color plates, wing detail, and these fab silhouette guides.
I have been collecting antique and vintage nature books since my Great Grandmother gave me my first botanist book when I was 10. I loved the romantic royalty of the color plates.
The star of my collection is this 1935 edition of Fabre's Book of Insects. The protective tissue paper is softer than silk!
The praying mantis is by far my favorite plate. She is the rock star of every garden and Detmold portrays her in all her victorious glory. Using pinks and greens in most of his illustrations I tend to follow suit in my own garden- gravitating to those flowers with the sharpest pinks and brightest greens.
Perhaps I love Detmold's praying mantis mostly because this is how I view myself in the garden- marching to my own tune and doing a happy dance!
LOVE & GARDEN PLEASURES!!
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