What I’m Reading: The Garden Book of California (1906) – 4 in a series – “…the son of a poor country clergyman who had a small flower garden…”

What I'm Reading: The Garden Book of California (1906) - 4 in a series -

By Alexander Roslin – Nationalmuseum, Public Domain

“Linnaeus, the renowned Swedish botanist, was the son of a poor country clergyman who had a small flower garden in which he cultivated all the flowers which he could procure and his means would permit. From the earliest childhood of the son, he was taught to love and cultivate, and to rejoice with intense delight in the rich and varied colorings of the flowers, and in this way were created the tastes and desires which made Linnaeus the first botanist and naturalist of his age.”

What I'm Reading: The Garden Book of California (1906) - 1 in a series

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The Garden Book of California
Belle Sumner Angler



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Castor Bean Pods (Ricinus communis) via Instagram

What is your favorite plant? Leave a comment and share!

Castor Bean Pods (Ricinus communis)

Castor Bean Pods (Ricinus communis) via Instagram

A scene from the Orto Botanico in the Brera district of Milan

While castor bean is a veritable weed here in Southern California in Europe they grow it as an ornamental. I must admit the seed pods are quite structural and beautiful.

This photo is from my second visit to the botanic garden during our trip to Milan last September. I was on my own for the day and wanted to take some more photos. The mosquitos were ferocious, but I got some cool shots. 


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* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!