There are a number of websites that have audio files you can click on and hear the name pronounced and there are many books that include the phonetics either using symbols or sound-alike words. But (and there's always a but). The science of naming things is the study of Taxonomy and taxonomists don't pay much attention to the scientist over in the horticulture or zoological world. This is why names are constantly being disputed and changed. Gardeners, Horticulturists and many other very knowledgable folk tend not to pronounce things correctly - so even if you do, they will correct you to their way of saying things even if it flies in the face of "the Rules". Yes, there are rules. If the word is longer than three syllables then the third from the last syllable gets the emphasis. If the root of the word is latin you pronounce certain vowels one way, but another way if the root is Greek. Though we often call the scientific names "latin" there sure a lot of Greek words being used. Since this whole system of names was developed by Carolus Linnaeus way back in the olden days when monks in monastaries were the only people that could read or write and they mostly spoke latin - we are supposed to be pronouncing things the way the ancient church said them. But we don't. We are supposed to change the spelling on modern words that get used as a name so that they will be spelled in such a way so as to be pronounced the ancient church way - but we don't. Please, somebody show me anything 'johnson' in the ancient Italian church, but 'johnsonii' shows up often. To me there is nothing wrong with saying it your own special way - there is something wrong with adopting the attitude that you are right, and others are wrong. There are also rules that we call 'manners' which state that we shouldn't look down on other people, but people do that also. I try to include every possible pronunciation when I use a scientific name. You will also notice that I don't call it 'botanical latin' (kinda grates on my nerves) the system is used to classify all forms of life on this planet = animals, plants and bacteria. It is not only about plants. just my two cents. I've stood all day in the sun....

I have that book along with any other Hosta books available. I'm a person that gets inspired by the visual. I look though my books all the time either for an idea for some issue or just allow the book to 'speak' to me. I don't collect a lot of tiny or very small hostas but I do have some. I definitely got some ideas from looking at this book. I realized this year that keeping the mini's in pots is fine but in the long run more tricky for me in my climate. This year I created two more areas where the little ones could be in the ground (pictures attached). The second picture where the Buddha lives also had the little pagoda thing added inspired by a picture in the book. I do agree there could have been more identifying going on. The first picture brings these plants up higher to view as you walk by. It was partially inspired by the raised bed in the book although that one was made of wood and much higher and larger than this. This garden previously had a collection of blues and greens. This is one of the few areas of the garden without overhead watering. The plants here don't get so spotty from hard water. The places where the mini's and smalls are was full of plants similar to the size of Devon Green and Blue Wedgwood. It looks fine but I realized this year that using the contrast of size was pleasing to my eye.

I want a great big fat check. If I got one, I'd buy this rundown big old Southern house in Macintosh, a town halfway between Ocala and Gainesville. I see it every time we go to VA and it's in just terrible shape. It's a big 2-story place with pillars and a big front porch. The lot stands on a hill and has the most beautiful old oak trees on it. It needs someone to love it and I sure wish we could be the ones. Harry and I did/redid an old house very similar to what Marilyn c is doing now and I love reading her posts so I can sort of relive the experience. It was a lot of work and hours and the most fun we ever had. I'd love to do it again, even though I didn't have a fingernail for years! :-) Of course I can say how much fun it was NOW! Such a nice dream!

NHB, I love decorating books. I don't really use them for coffee table books - although I do have a few out in the sunroom. I love several of the magazines you listed, and for that same reason, I love decorating books. They are something I may look at time and time again for ideas, inspiration or just to enjoy the pretty pics! I would have never described you as a minimalist. To the OP, I love Kitty Bartholomew's book. There are also several cottage decor books that I love and several window treatment design books that generally show whole rooms. I also have Bunny William's book, although I will go against the grain and say that I do not like it as well as all the hype it generated. It was a bit of a let down when I got it. Still a beautiful book. Martha Stewart has a book on her new old house, or something to that effect, I greatly enjoyed it. I will have to look at some of my titles and get back to you. Charles Fraudee is a good one as several mentioned. tina