“A wonderful new book that explains the natural history, folklore, uses, name origins, horticulture, literature, and even the websites of hundreds of wildflowers, from ordinary weeds to some dazzling orchids (almost all of which are found somewhere in the metropolitan area...)
–New York Botanical Garden, Summer 2003
“Sanders celebrates more than 100 varieties of wildflowers and explores the role of these plants in the environment, as well as their cultural and natural history. More than just a field guide, this book details the most interesting facets of these plants including relevant folklore, uses, name origins, and even their place in literature. Sanders explains how speedwells attract butterflies to a less-than-manicured yard, how ancient Egyptians used dandelions to treat malnutrition, and why the European settlers in North America stuffed their pillows with milkweed down.”
–Science News, July 19, 2003
“Bursting with odd facts and wonderful superstitions about our most beautiful and common plants. Richer and more varied than any field guide. An essential book for the naturalist’s library.”
– New England Wild Flower Society
“Jack Sanders has compiled a mass of facts, legends, and history — somewhere between fact and legend — and written them up charmingly. His book is neither pedantic nor dry, yet you will learn a great deal reading it. The Secrets of Wildflowers covers not only North American native wildflowers, but many introduced aliens as well. I applaud this. It’s fine to be a purist, but the alien wildflowers are here to stay—we may as well learn about and enjoy them.”
–Nancy McDonald, The American Gardener, American Horticultural Society, Nov.-Dec. 2003
“The sub-title tells it all: ‘A Delightful Feast of Little-Known Facts, Folklore, and History.’ Organized by season, every wildflower description adds to our knowledge. If you want to own just one botanic reference to back up your field guide, this is the book for you.”
–Gerry Rising, Buffalo Evening News, June 16, 2003
“The author provides us with facts, folklore, and history. It is difficult to imagine a wildflower enthusiast not falling in love with its pages….Run right out and buy this!”
–Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc., Spring 2003
“Photographs show the delicate blossoms off to best advantage while poetry and quotes (from the likes of Henry David Thoreau and Agatha Christie) round out the informative text.”
– Joy Krause, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 16, 2003
“Here is a book that will hand you a bouquet of wildflowers to brighten the day.”
–Jane Carroll, Audubon Naturalist News
“More a companion than a field guide, The Secrets of Wildflowers is a must-have for anyone who enjoys a walk in a meadow or a gaze outside.” –
BookSense
"Sanders tells stories within their historical framework, which makes growing and looking for them a delightful pastime. It covers over 100 species of wildflowers along with little-known facts for your reading enjoyment."
–Joanne S. Carpender, National Garden Clubs, Febuary 2004
“Odd facts and wonderful lore about North American wildflowers.”
–Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
This page was last updated Tuesday, August 30, 2005