Over on Amy ’s site we ’re fancy a wash of praise forFlower Confidential , with quotes about “ incisive reporting , ” “ kinky brainpower , ” “ a prying , sensory muckraker , ” “ gift for change state dry facts into compelling stories , ” “ combines a romanticist ’s idealism with a journalist ’s objectivity , ” and “ interacts with the capable matter in a surprisingly intimate way . ”
Okay , that ’s enough puffery ; it ’s time for an objective report from decent here at GardenRant , the most trusted gardening site on the web ( okay , I made that up but last out with me here ) . Sure , the generator is a founding GardenRanter – in reality , the provoker . But as the cynical , dandy - eyed reviewer that Ipretend to shine , let me stage some unvarnished truth that you could take to the bank :
READ IT – IT ’S EVEN BETTER THAN YOU THINK . Yeah , I fell for it , from the launching to the “ ironically bewitch ” epilog ( so sayeth the Chicago Tribune ) about Valentine ’s Day . Here ’s why :
It’sabout blossom – where and how they ’re spawn and maturate , why they do n’t have a fragrance , how to make them last longer , and much more . capital info , all well researched and readable , too . Even the scientific discipline bits did n’t lose me like they usually do – the photoperiods and the persona of darkness in flowering , plus vernalization , the motivation for which prevents our Texas readers from grow tulips that are n’t precooled . So it turns out Icangrasp phytology , in the workforce of a good writer . ( If you ’ve ever readBotany for Gardeners , by the way , you know how soundly unreadable the subject can be , even to the most motivated of readers . )
It’sabout business organisation , a “ gorgeous , bewitching , bewildering clientele . ” Like scientific discipline , it ’s a whole paper discussion section I in the main avoid . But hey , I watch the Charlie Rose Show , so I ’ve see how interesting the case can be and I loved having Amy connect all the pane for me , like these changes in our acculturation that have hurt florists : shorter infirmary stay , more out - affected role operating room , nuptials that are less traditional , dinner party party adorned with grocery store bunches or else of formal arrangements , funeral with no viewing , and perhaps most grating of all , obituary notices carry the “ in lieu of blossom ” request . On top of all that , florists are losing business to big box stores , market chains , order - taker like FTD and Teleflora , and Vermont Teddy Bears , with this contemptuous pitch : “ send off the creative option to flowers . ” Man , that ’s got ta hurt ! Now I ’m amazed to find that I really care about florists and want to assist . Then Amy get us in on the really cool stuff happening in the flower biz , too – KaBloom , Miami ’s Field of Flowers , the VeriFlora documentation program , and Teresa ’s really cool blossom kiosk .
And guess what , readers , it ’s alsopart travelogue , regaling us with Amy ’s adventures from the fields of Central California to Holland and even Ecuador . ( “ If you ’re a guy and you go to Quito , the city is your urinal . ” See , it’smuchlivelier than Fodor ’s . )
GardenRant readers wo n’t be surprised to see Amy’spassion for flowers – “ I ’ve always had a generalized , nasty sort of lecherousness for flowers ” . Or , for that issue , her horror at discovering how they ’re grow – “ For the first time in all the month I ’d spend looking behind the scenes at the cut flower industriousness , my bosom indurate against the efflorescence themselves . If those robust velvety petals had to be dip in a chemical substance to make them ready for market , I did n’t want them . ” And though one reader turn down to reveal whether Amy ’s passion survives the surly Truth she learn , I anticipate she pass us past the muck - raking to a new charge ( a real one , not like Bush ’s latest “ plan ” for Iraq . )
last , myheartstringswere wholly pulled by the story of well - wishers in Minnesota who sent hundreds of bloom bouquets to the merry couple getting hook up with on steps of City Hall in San Francisco . I severalise you I outcry !
And heavy - movie , I get laid that Amy go bad WAY beyond cover horticulture as tips for container . In her custody it ’s the study of reportage and even better , reporting with a point of view , that of a passionate nurseryman . The best of everything . direction to go , girlfriend ! Y’allorder up a copy here .
