Flowers That Last Forever: Growing, Harvesting, and Preserving

Want to preserve flowers or ornamental grasses for pleasure or profit? This book will make a welcome addition to your shelf. Jacobs, whose previous books have dealt with herbs, divides her latest into three sections. The first offers species descriptions of 31 everlasting plants, many unfamiliar to the average gardener, and provides details on preferred soil and location, propagation, care and harvesting. The second discusses techniques for preservation: air drying; drying in microwave ovens; using dessicants and glycerine. The final section suggests uses of dried plant materialsfrom flower arrangements, wreaths and corsages to framed ``pictures'' and bookmarks. Jacobs also suggests ways to turn a hobby into a profit-making venture. Her occasionally personal touch is welcome in an otherwise straightforward compilation of facts. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Oct.)