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FlowerSelect: An Innovative Tool for Gardeners

© Diana Pederson

Once in a rare while a truly innovative plant identification product comes along. The Gardener's FlowerSelect by Laura Quatrochi is just such a product. WFI Publishing published it. The FlowerSelect consists of a stack of seventy cards with each card giving a high quality picture and detailed information on a single plant species. A good description, origin of the plant, hardiness zones, recommended planting times, soil requirements and growing tips are given for each species. Additional cards list the Latin name and common name for all the species in the card stack and another card gives the USDA hardiness growing zones.

The feature that makes this so unusual is that each card has a series of circles or half-circles punched around the edges. The user may use the wooden pick included in the package to select all the cards about attracting butterflies by sticking the pick through the hole labeled "butterflies" and gently shaking the stack of cards. Only those cards about those plants that attract butterflies fall from the pick and those left on the pick are put aside. This sure makes it simple to limit your reading to those plants you are actually interested in at the moment.

You may use the pick to quickly sort the cards for bloom periods, sun exposure, watering needs, what the plants attract, flower colors, type (biennial, annual, perennial) and plant height. There is also an option for cutting flowers and fragrant flowers. Simply put the pick through the appropriate hole and gently shake. This is quite a time saver.

I would like to see the plant species expanded. In addition, I would love a card set similar to this for selecting shrubs and trees. One for cactus and succulents would be useful to me also. I believe Laura Quatrochi has a good idea with potential for many other sets of cards. Ask for this at your local store or buy it on-line.

Note from the author of FlowerSelect: The Gardener's FlowerSelect sells for $29.50 at Smith & Hawken stores (for the one nearest you call 800-776-3336) or on the internet at http://www.SmithandHawken.com (product #670356) or at Gallery Bookshop at http://www.gallerybooks.com.