Blue is a color with many meanings for us. To some, it means being down as in having a case of the "blues". For others, blue is a peaceful, calming color. Plant breeders have spent a considerable length of time trying to develop a true blue rose and true blues in other plant genera. I'm among the gardeners who has tried to find more blue flowers. Therefore, A Book of Blue Flowers, written by Robert Geneve and published by Timber Press this fall really captured my attention. Let's take a look at this newly published book together.

Robert Geneve introduced the book with a section titled, "Is That Really a Blue Flower?" He discusses the wide range of colors that are called "blue". He walks his reader through a discussion of the color spectrum, and a discussion of various color charts used by Horticulturists and interior designers. You also learn about hue, brightness, and saturation as they are used in describing colors. Study page 13 to see the range of colors called "blue" and some of the common names we apply to them. He also covers the interaction of different colors with blue.

"What Is in a Name?" discusses how plants are named. In addition he identifies several Latin names that describe various shades of blue. This section helps the reader understand the remainder of the book. I really appreciated his suggestion that taxonomists quit changing scientific names which only frustrates growers and gardeners!

The third section discusses "Family Relationships." Geneve identifies 44 plant families which have one or more genus containing blue-toned flowers. The reader will find this a very helpful listing if they are trying to create a blue garden.

Geneve is a horticulture professor at the University of Kentucky. In the section called "Technical Aspects of Blue as a Flower Color," he explains the chemistry involved in creating colors in flowers. These few pages are the only ones I had difficulty understanding. I suspect at least a basic understanding of chemistry is necessary to totally comprehend his explanation!

The section called "Use of Blue Flowers in the Garden" should be read carefully by every gardener. I was fascinated to learn that massed blue flowers are more effective than single plants. He states "Blue flowers tend to provide focal interest in the garden. They combine well with other primary colors to form areas in perennial beds with strong interest."

According to the section, "Blue Is for Flowers," this color is not common in parts of plants other than the flowers. He explains how some leaves give the appearance of blue. Fruits also may have a bluish coloration.

The bulk of this book is called "Descriptions A-Z." Here you find a general discussion of each plant, information on propagation, followed by a listing of representative species or cultivars. The plants discussed are arranged in alphabetical order by the Genus name. Each section lists the Genus name, common name, and then the plant family as a header. The final portion of the book includes a listing of blue flowered plants for various situtations, a glossary, and a bibliography.

Many of the plants are also illustrated with color photographs. Two page wide photographs of landscapes using blue flowers are also provided. These photographs are enough to tempt every gardener The photographs together with the quality of writing makes this an outstanding book which I enthusiastically recommend for the gardener on your gift list.

I do have one minor criticism reagarding the organization of the sections prior to the A-Z section discussing plants. For me, those sections were arranged in a way that made poor transitions from one section to another. I would have sequenced the chapters in this order: "Is That Really a Blue Flower," "Blue is for Flowers," "Technical Aspects of Blue as a Flower Color," "What Is in a Name?," "Family Relationships," and "Use of Blue Flowers in the Garden." The rest of the book seems logically organized.