Parsleys, Fennels, and Queen Anne's Lace: Herbs and Ornamentals from the Umbel Family

I have gardened for years growing various vegetables, flowers and herbs. I purchased this book after watching some shows on the Cooking Channel that included food using parsley 'tea' and fennel pollen. I was amazed at the ingenuity of so many creative cooks and chefs that have started their own restaurants. And I love that they are willing to show how they use edible plants in new and different ways. That said, I thought I would educate myself by reading up on this much-overlooked plant family.The author is a popular garden writer, speaker and photographer who has written extensively on gardening and horticulture. She is a member of the Garden Writers of America Hall of Fame. But who knew that Ms.Perry Lawton could fill 156 pages with information on the Umbel family?The author begins with the history and myths surrounding this subject. She goes on to list poisonous members and medicinal information. She reminds you to proceed with caution because some deadly plants look very similar to edible ones. She continues by giving the reader information on culinary plants included in this family. Designing in the landscape, weedy Umbels, and pests and diseases pave the way for a complete catalog of Umbels.There are black and white drawings along with colorful photos scattered among the pages. Lastly, there is a glossary and index of plant names. This is a well-written reference book that deserves a space on everyone's gardening shelf.

Good pictures and information. But not what I needed to know.

One can't help but make more notice of plants in the umbel family after reading Barbara Perry Lawton's book. I dipped into it after finding it on the shelf at my local botanic garden's shop. In no time I was drawn into the world of parsley and its relatives by her engaging and conversational writing style. I had no idea previously of the relationship of the Apiacea to humankind. Or that carrots are x-rated (check out Daucus carota var. sativa).The usefulness of Apiaceae to me as a home gardener and horticultural educator is in the many colors, textures and forms they add to our borders. Less desirable are the weedy species and those "black sheep" (goutweed is the worst!) are given needed attention as well. Others readers will appreciate the umbel's usefulness in table arrangements and, of course, cooking. One can also stir up a poisonous stew from this group of plants as one learns from the many interesting tales Mrs. Lawton weaves into her discussions. The book discusses endangered plants within these species and the many species that draw beneficial insects to the garden. The illustrations from treasured old herbals are as revealing as the modern-day photos in the book.This book is fun to read as well as being an important and detailed reference work.

What a delight--an authoritive but altogether readable book about an understudied, underpublicized, underappreciated, and undercultivated plant family. Lawton does it all, but perhaps most helpful is her identification of Umbel family plants that will flourish in and embellish any garden. Kudos to Timber Press for publishing this book, and to Lawton for writing it.