In "Northern Treasure: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center" (Afton Press, $40), a lavishly illustrated anniversary tribute to both institutions, author Susan Davis Price and photographer John Gregor invite the reader to join them in a celebration of Minnesota's horticultural year: dramatic snow-shapes, the subtle hues of early spring, masses of tulips and daffodils, the deep yellows and oranges of August, and the apple harvest, with its hardy 'Wealthy ' and 'Haralson' and wildly popular 'Honeycrisp.'
Each of the Arboretum's gardens is profiled, from the scrupulously pruned Japanese garden to the wild, wide-open Bennett/Johnson prairie. Thousands of visitors relish the distinctive charms of these beautiful spots every year, along with the joys of the Spring Plant Sale, the delightful Summer Exhibitions, and a rich assortment of workshops, classes, and educational events.
This splendid volume is an ode to human ingenuity and determination. Based on a wealth of original sources, historic photos, and interviews, it documents for the first time the Minnesota Arboretum's evolution from a hopeful experiment into a northern treasure.
