For Shade and For Comfort

"Drawing upon a wide range of largely unexplored resources including lithographic images of farm, village, and city homes; agricultural society records; nursery and seed catalogues; and the diaries and letters of local residents, this study examines how advocates encouraged ornamental plant, tree, and flower interest." "From these diverse perspectives, ornamental plants emerge as densely layered cultural symbols offering not only a very real touch of shade and beauty, but for many, a sense of security and comfort amidst a rapidly changing American society." "Cheryl Lyon-Jenness uses her extensive research into the changing views of horticulture in the Midwestern United States to produce a study that will delight plant aficionados of all kinds."--BOOK JACKET.