Podcasts about flower confidential

Amy Stewart, in her book Flower Confidential, says that florists practically invented Mother's Day. It was actually invented in 1908 by a woman named Anna Jarvis who wanted the celebration to be on the second Sunday in May because it was the anniversary of the death of her own mother. “Crowd it and push it,” she urged florists, noting that May was a month when flowers are plentiful and therefore cheaper. Florists jumped on board, and Jarvis's idea worked as people saw it as a chance to honor their mothers, as well as daughters, wives, grandmothers, and friends who were mothers. Jarvis, however, became upset with the floral industry because she wanted white carnations to be the exclusive flower of Mother's Day. This was because the holiday actually began as a day when children (both boys and girls) would honor their mothers by wearing a white carnation in their buttonhole. Florists, understandably, were in favor of using a wider variety of flowers, partly because their suppliers couldn't supply sufficient quantities of white carnations.Mother's Day is now a truly floral holiday, and flowers can even be wired world-wide.

Many gardeners are also collectors. Collectors of things like pots, books, seeds, and - of course - plants. Some plant collecting gardeners collect flowers, shrubs, herbs or seeds. Others collect trees – and when writer, artist and curious human Amy Stewart, award winning author of Flower Confidential, Wicked Plants, and The Drunken Botanist, ran into more and more humans who collected trees in various ways – she started to collect stories about them. In her newest book, The Tree Collectors, Tales of Arboreal Obsession (out now from Random House), which she researched, wrote and illustrated, Amy shares much of more about these tree-collecting people, including what they can teach us about trees, and about humanity - from fascinating motivations to moving outcomes. Amy Stewart's with us this week on Cultivating Place - join us! Cultivating Place now has a donate button! We thank you so much for listening over the years and we hope you'll support Cultivating Place. We can't thank you enough for making it possible for this young program to grow even more of these types of conversations. The show is available as a podcast on SoundCloud and iTunes. To read more and for many more photos, please visit www.cultivatingplace.com.

Welcome to The Local Flowers Podcast.  I'm your host Rechelle from Freckled Bloom Flower Farm.  In this episode I'll talk about 'why a podcast' and highlight what's happening on the farm in week 1 of the 2023 season.Please read: Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart (https://www.amystewart.com/books/flower-confidential/)

New York Times best-selling author of the Kopp Sisters series and, where our conversation begins, nonfiction titles include The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential and host Alan Lowe chat about the fascinating world of plants and their many sciences.

Today we celebrate an East German Nurseryman and plant breeder who is remembered in the name Feather Reed Grass. We'll also learn about an exceptional English author and garden designer. We hear a little snippet about Gardener’s Latin as a clue to the meaning behind Plant Names. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a fantastic book about the business of flowers. And then we’ll wrap things up with a beloved old poem about botany.   Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart To listen to the show while you're at home, just ask Alexa or Google to “Play the latest episode of The Daily Gardener Podcast.” And she will. It's just that easy.   The Daily Gardener Friday Newsletter Sign up for the FREE Friday Newsletter featuring: A personal update from me Garden-related items for your calendar The Grow That Garden Library™ featured books for the week Gardener gift ideas Garden-inspired recipes Exclusive updates regarding the show Plus, each week, one lucky subscriber wins a book from the Grow That Garden Library™ bookshelf.   Gardener Greetings Send your garden pics, stories, birthday wishes, and so forth to Jennifer@theDailyGardener.org   Curated News Feel Happier — Easy Ways To Gaze At America’s Most Gorgeous Spring Gardens | Forbes | Laura Manske   Facebook Group If you'd like to check out my curated news articles and original blog posts for yourself, you're in luck. I share all of it with the Listener Community in the Free Facebook Group - The Daily Gardener Community. So, there’s no need to take notes or search for links. The next time you're on Facebook, search for Daily Gardener Community, where you’d search for a friend... and request to join. I'd love to meet you in the group.   Important Events March 9, 1874 Today is the birthday of the revered German plant breeder, writer, and garden designer Karl Foerster. Now Karl was born into an intellectual and accomplished family. His father was an astronomer, and his mother was a famous painter. Many gardeners are surprised to learn that Karl began gardening at the tender age of seven after obtaining an apprenticeship. A year later, Karl entered a professional gardening program and studied there for 11 years. When Karl turned 18, he took over his family’s Berlin nursery, which was a bit of a mess.  But Karl had a knack for running a nursery. He streamlined the business by simplifying his plant inventory. Although Karl loved all plants, he was especially drawn to tough, low-maintenance, hardy perennials. Karl used three factors to determine whether a plant would be sold in his nursery: beauty, resilience, and endurance. And Karl's high standards ended up bringing great success to his nursery. When he turned 24, Karl moved his nursery to Potsdam. There, Karl married a singer and pianist named Eva, and together they had one daughter. Knowing Karl’s high standards of plants, imagine how exacting Karl was as a plant breeder. Yet, Karl never pollinated flowers by hand. He wanted nature to reign supreme. Today, Karl Foerster grass is a recognized staple in many gardens and landscapes. The story goes that Karl was on a train when he spied the grass along the tracks. To seize the chance to collect the specimen, Karl pulled the emergency brake, stopped the train, and then quickly collected the specimen that now bears his name. While gardeners have heard of Karl Foerster Grass or Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis), many fail to realize the grass was successful because it first met Karl’s high standards for perennials. Karl Foerster grass was the Perennial Plant of the Year in 2001. And, Overdam is a variegated version of Karl Foerster grass. Karl’s plant performance expectations and his appreciation for low maintenance spaces with year-long seasonal interest helped shape the New German Garden Style of garden design. A Karl Foerster garden had some signature plants: grasses, delphinium, and phlox. Naturally, all of these plants were favorites in Karl’s breeding work. Karl once wrote, “A garden without phlox is not only a sheer mistake but a sin against summer." And he also wrote, “Grasses are the hair of mother earth.” Karl lived to the ripe old age of 96. And looking back, it's staggering to think that Karl spent nearly nine decades gardening, and it was Karl Foerster who said, “In my next life, I’d like to be a gardener once again.  The job was too big for just one lifetime.”   March 9, 1892 Today is the birthday of the English author and garden designer, Vita Sackville West. In 1930, Sissinghurst Castle - at least what was left of it - was bought by Vita and her husband - the diplomat, and journalist, Harold Nicolson. Together, they restored the house and created the famous garden, which was given to the National Trust in 1967. After seeing Sissinghurst for the very first time, Vita recalled, “I fell in love; love at first sight. I saw what might be made of it.” Vita explored the depths of her own creativity as she shaped the gardens at Sissinghurst. When she came up with the idea for a Sunset Garden, she wrote, “I used to call it the Sunset Garden in my own mind before I even planted it up.” Vita’s Sunset Garden included flowers with warm citrus colors, like the yellows, oranges, and reds of Dahlia's Salvias Canas and tulips. Vita also created a white Garden – one of the most difficult Gardens to design, maintain and pull off.  White gardens are challenging, and you may be thinking, well, why is that? Well, here's the main reason: because, after flowering, many white blooms don’t age well; they turn brown or yellow as they wither and die on the plant. But I have to say that 10 years ago, I did help a friend install a white garden. And when it was in bloom, it really was spectacular. By the time World War happened, Vita and Harold had been working on Sissinghurst for nearly a decade. But there came a point when they were both convinced that a German invasion of Britain was becoming more likely. Never one to run from a challenge. Vita decided to plant 11,000 daffodils on the property. She was essentially leaving her legacy and a message of defiance to the enemy. Vita’s personal life was as varied and fascinating it's the plants in her garden. She had relationships with both men and women, and she loved the people in her life intensely. Once, in a letter to Harold, Vita wrote, “You are my eternal spring.” On December 29, 1946, Harold wrote, "Trying to convince [Vita] that planning is an element in gardening…  She wishes just to jab in things that she has leftover. The tragedy of the romantic temperament is that it dislikes form so much that it ignores the effect of masses.”  In 1955, Vita was honored with the Veitch Memorial Medal, which is awarded to those who have helped advance and improve the science and practice of horticulture - and Vita definitely achieved that. I thought I'd close out this mini-biography of Vita with her own words. Here's something that Vieta wrote about spring: She walks in the loveliness she made, Between the apple-blossom and the water-- She walks among the patterned pied brocade, Each flower her son, and every tree her daughter. And We owned a garden on a hill, We planted rose and daffodil, Flowers that English poets sing, And hoped for glory in the Spring.   Unearthed Words Plants can be said to have a personality, a certain air about them, and this is often reflected in their names. The term vulgari often refers to what was considered the most common plant in the genus at the time of the naming. Thus the Primrose was named Primula vulgaris.  Many species names. Describe the beauty of a plant. The specific name Bellis means beautiful... And it's fairly easy to identify Elegantissima presents no surprises as it means very elegant… While dius shows even greater beauty since it describes a plant belonging to the gods.  — Richard Bird, garden writer,  A Gardner's Latin, General Personality. Grow That Garden Library Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart  This book came out in 2008, and the subtitle is The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful. It's hard to believe that this book has already been out for over 13 years. This was Amy's third book, and it's one of my favorites. And I remember thinking when this book debuted, just how sensational the stories in this book were - and also I was amazed by the amount of work it took Amy to write this book and to help us understand just what the flower industry is all about. Now the publisher describes Amy's book this way: “Amy Stewart travels the globe to take us inside this dazzling world. She tracks down scientists intent on developing the first genetically modified blue rose; an eccentric horticultural legend who created the world's most popular lily (the 'Star Gazer'); and an Ecuadorean farmer growing exquisite, high-end organic roses that are the floral equivalent of a Tiffany diamond. She sees firsthand how flowers are grown and harvested on farms in Latin America, California, and Holland. (It isn't always pretty). You'll never look at a cut flower the same again.” This book is 320 pages of the secret story of flowers in the marketplace - highlighting the intersection of flowers, technology, marketing, and money. You can get a copy of Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart and support the show using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for around $2   Today’s Botanic Spark Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart   There should be no monotony In studying your botany; It helps to train And spur the brain-- Unless you haven't gotany. It teaches you, does Botany, To know the plants and spotany, And learn just why They live or die-- In case you plant or potany. You learn, from reading Botany, Of wooly plants and cottony That grow on earth, And what they're worth, And why some spots have notany. You sketch the plants in Botany, You learn to chart and plotany Like corn or oats-- You jot down notes, If you know how to jotany. Your time, if you'll allotany, Will teach you how and what any Old plant or tree Can do or be-- And that's the use of Botany! — Berton Braley, Botany, Science News Letter, March 9, 1929   Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener. And remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Join Dr. Quave as she chats with Amy Stewart, a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction works. You may recognize some of her popular nonfiction titles in the realm of botany, such as The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants and Flower Confidential. We dive into some wicked plants that fascinate us both that can be found in the wild, your backyard or sometimes at the bar!    *** ABOUT OUR GUEST Amy Stewart is the New York Times best-selling author of the Kopp Sisters series, which are based on the true story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs and her two rambunctious sisters.  Her popular nonfiction titles include The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential. While they have not been adapted for television, there are a few bars around the world named after The Drunken Botanist, which is even better.   Her books have sold over a million copies worldwide and have been translated into 17 languages. She lives in Portland with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer who can usually be found at his shop, Downtown Brown Books. *** ABOUT FOODIE PHARMACOLOGY  Now in Season 2 with more than sixty episodes! Tune in to explore the food-medicine continuum with Dr. Cassandra Quave as she meets with award-winning authors, chefs, scientists, farmers and experts on the connections between food and health. New episodes release every Monday! Like the show? Please leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts and share your favorite episodes with your friends!  *** PODCAST DESCRIPTION: Have you ever wondered where your food comes from? Not just where it’s grown today, but where it originally popped up in the world? Have you ever bit into a delicious ripe fruit and wondered, hey – why is it this color? What’s responsible for this amazing flavor? Is this good for my health? Could it even be medicinal? Foodie Pharmacology is a science podcast built for the food curious, the flavor connoisseurs, chefs, science geeks, plant lovers and adventurous taste experimenters out in the world! Join American ethnobotanist Dr. Cassandra Quave on this adventure through history, medicine, cuisine and molecules as she explores the amazing pharmacology of our foods.  *** SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW:  Subscribe to Foodie Pharmacology on Apple Podcasts for audio and the TeachEthnobotany YouTube Channel to see full video of new episodes. You can also find more than 50 episodes of the show at https://foodiepharmacology.com/ Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @foodiepharma or on Facebook at "Foodie Pharmacology with Cassandra Quave"  *** PODCAST REVIEWS:  “You are what you eat — and what you listen to. Dr. Quave combines science with food, culture and history in this enjoyable, educational podcast.”--Carol on Facebook Page Reviews    “We have needed this podcast for a long time. Dr. Quave's willingness to share her knowledge of plant usage and history make these podcasts interesting and helpful. The interviews from around the world are always loaded with information. Waiting on a new episode.every week.”--Alan on Apple Podcasts Reviews    “Great podcast about favorite foods! If you love food, you will love this podcast! Dr. Quave makes the science behind the food approachable and easy to understand. Love it!”--Liz on Apple Podcasts Reviews    “Dr Quave is amazingly informative. I could listen to her talk all day. And thanks to these podcasts I can! Thank you!”-- Wendy on Facebook Page Reviews    “Fascinating and entertaining! Dr. Quave is not just one of the foremost experts on the subject, she is also an incredibly gifted teacher and storyteller. I highly recommend Foodie Pharmacology to anyone with any interest in the subject.”-- John on Facebook Page Reviews    “Dr. Quave is a brilliant scientist and storyteller, which makes this program both entertaining and accessible!”-- Ernest on Facebook Page Reviews    “Dr. Quave is my go to source for all things Ethnobotany. Her new podcast is a great way to learn about plants and their many uses, ranging from food to medicine and so much more. I can’t wait for the newest episode!”--Paul on Apple Podcasts Reviews  

As a young girl, Sandy would visit her grandmother in the garden city of Christchurch, New Zealand, on holidays. It was during those special visits that she developed her deep love of flowers. With the middle name Rose, Sandy has always been drawn toward these special flowers that bloom so abundantly. In 2009, Sandy left her corporate career in marketing to pursue her passion for flowers. After being mentored by a retired florist, she opened her own floral studio specializing in events and weddings. A few years into owning her floral design business, Sandy had the opportunity to purchase rose bushes from a nursery that decided to focus exclusively on trees. She bought all 1,000 plants. “I knew we had good conditions to grow them, and given that we are over an hour away from the local wholesale flower market, I thought it was a good way to end the 2 a.m. jaunts to buy roses,” Sandy says. “At that point I had just finished reading Amy Stewart's book, Flower Confidential, and was mortified about the global flower industry and its environmental and human health impacts.” As other florists in the area eagerly snapped up her fragrant organically grown roses, they started asking, “What else can you source and provide?” This simple question started her quest to find other local flower growers who could provide seasonal blooms beyond those she could grow. Meeting and connecting with other growers who were equally as passionate about seasonal blooms led to the creation of Consortium Botanicus. Recently she was appointed to the board of newly created Flowers Industry Australia which will provide advocacy for issues affecting flower growers and florists across Australia

Today we’re visiting with Mattie Bush, owner of Amelia's Flower Truck & Amelia's Flowers located in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss: How she dreamed up and executed the flower truck concept without a background in the floral industry How she scaled her business quickly to include 3 trucks Why she decided to add retail shops to her business model The challenges of selling flowers from a mobile truck Details on sourcing her flower trucks and the accessories she needed to complete the flower truck concept The story behind the names of her trucks...Amelia "Amy", Rory, and Melody Why she's chosen not to include wedding/event florals in Amelia's business model (with a few exceptions...for now) The merchandise and flower options offered by Amelia's Flowers The process of shifting to flower deliveries during the pandemic How she sources the flowers she sells from the flower bars on the trucks and in the shops The challenges of growing quickly and finding community in a unique niche Her dreams for the future of Amelia's Flowers LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 62: Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart 1767 Designs "I'm Not a Florist" by Mattie Bush Charlotte's Florals  SEE MORE OF AMELIA'S FLOWER TRUCK HERE:     Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest  SEE MORE OF AMELIA'S FLOWER SHOPS HERE:      Website | Instagram Today’s episode is brought to you by: REAL FLOWER BUSINESS Click here  to learn more about online business courses and free training for florists including Flower Math: The Florist's Guide To Pricing & Profitability, and Wedding Templates to help you streamline your proposal process and help clients book more quickly. How to Connect with Botanical Brouhaha: BotanicalBrouhaha.com Instagram Facebook Host: Amy McGee (Botanical Brouhaha) BB Podcast Sound Engineer: Landon McGee

Amanda and Jenn discuss political nonfiction, twin stories, nonbinary reads, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Libro.fm and The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. FEEDBACK Chloe Poems’s Li’l Book O’ Manchester (rec’d by Arlene) The Night Brother by Rosie Garland (rec’d by Arlene) Pies and Prejudice: In Search of the North by Stuart Maconie (rec’d by Arlene) QUESTIONS 1. I love books that take a look inside a certain industry. I’ve read Deep Sea and Foreign going about commercial shipping and Flower Confidential about the cut flower industry recently. I’ve previously read books about the funeral trade and restaurant/food industry. So I’m looking for more! Preferably ones that are about things that don’t immediately spring to mind. Thanks in advance. -Anna 2. Fun, Light, Realistic YA – Not too fantastical or sci-fi. I’m looking for recommendations for my teenage daughters, ages 15 and 16 and I’m stumped. It seems we keep finding books with material that is too young for them too dark and serious. They have liked “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”, “When Dimple Met Rishi” and the “Selection” series. They would love realistic fiction that isn’t teen romance but we are having a hard time finding anything fun that isn’t childish. -Cami 3. I recently came out as nonbinary after several years of being out as queer/bi. I am looking for a book with queer or nonbinary characters, though that certainly doesn’t need to be the focus of the book. I would just like to see more of myself represented in the things I read, and I knew you two would do a fantastic job! I like a little bit of everything, and I don’t shy away from YA or children’s books (Jessica Love’s Julian is a Mermaid is what inspired me to come out as nonbinary!). I would just say no religious books, please, and bonus points if the book is written by a queer or nonbinary author. Side note – thank you for this beautiful podcast! I have found so many books because of it, and I just adore you two. -Cheyenne 4. Hello Readerlicious Rock Stars! First off, you folks are super awesome and I adore listening to your show. My identical twin sister and I love reading about twins and I’d love some twin-ish recommendations from you all for us to read together. Some things to consider: 1) We’re open to any genre (other than horror) or reading level (middle grade and beyond). 2) Plots surrounding twins tend to be dark for some reason. Or, at least that seems to be the case with most twin books I’ve come across. A focus on fun/upbeat/kickass/bright/optimistic would be great. Please, no tragic death of one of the twins. That would be way too much of a bummer. 3) We’d love it if you could recommend some reads that don’t involve the typical good twin/bad twin trope. As twins who are constantly facing the ridiculous tendency for folks to categorize us/twins in that kind of binary way, it’d be great to read something that doesn’t do the same. How about BOTH twins being bright lights in the world? 4) Along the same lines as no twin death, I’m not a fan of any book that delves into serious abuse or tragic death of kids. As a mom of two cuties, it’s way too hard for me to read about kids and dark, tragic circumstances; i.e. abduction, murder, rape, etc. 5) We’re huge fans of strong, fabulous, outrageous, potentially super power grrls who kick ass. Characters who overcome hardship and beat a crappy system are definitely ones we’d love to root for. Thank you! -Nicole 5. Hello! I love your podcast! I am looking for a personal recommendation. Every so often I come upon a book or movie that broadens my mind and my heart. These books and movies usually have unconventional characters who become unlikely heroes. Strong character development, authenticity, and complexity are all fabulous, and magical realism is a bonus. Some of my favorites have in this genre have been The Seventh Gate by Richard Zimler, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, Mink River by Brian Doyle, Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. I would love another one to devour and fall in love with. Thank you for your help

Amy Stewart is the New York Times best-selling author of ten books, including Girl Waits with Gun and the rest of the Kopp Sisters series, which are based on the true story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs and her two rambunctious sisters. The books are in development with Amazon Studios for a television series. Her popular nonfiction titles include The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential. While they have not been adapted for television, there are a few bars around the world named after The Drunken Botanist, which is even better.Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time. She knows how to hula, was classically trained to sing opera, co-wrote her high school Alma Mater, and can’t touch raw wood. Never hand her a Dixie cup with that wooden spoon/paddle thing. It’s not pretty.Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two insane dogs in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three. She loves to hear from readers. We discuss her lighthearted Tallie Graver Mystery Series.

This week’s podcast features a conversation with Amy Stewart, the New York Times best selling author of Wicked Plants, Flower Confidential, and The Drunken Botanist. We chat about her latest novel series, The Kopp Sisters, and Amy shares some of … Continue reading → The post Podcast: Fun with Plants with Amy Stewart appeared first on Gardenerd.

Julia Hayden talks about how our actions affect the planet, ways to fight our throw-away society and minimize waste, her love for tiny houses, and a lot more. Self-defined environmental activist, Julia believes her studies at Connecticut College in Environmental Studies and Botany made the ways in which her actions affect the planet be present in her daily life. She is conscious of the lifecycle of everything she consumes (from production to landfill) and emphasizes the power of communities to give away, lend, share, and repair what breaks to minimize waste. Julia dreams of living in a tiny house, and believes in the use of community spaces and public parks as a way to take up less space in the city. Links Buy Nothing are Facebook groups that intend for people to avoid buying new things and be wasteful throwing things away. Free Craigslist is a directory to browse what people around your area are giving away for free. The famous curb alert refers to people leaving free stuff on the street to be claimed on a first come, first served basis. Queer Exchange Boston is "[a Facebook] group for Boston queers (interpret “queer” however you’d like) to connect with one another. It is intended to be a space for buying/selling/bartering/gifting, service recommendations, and a place to organize socially." The tiny house movement is a description for the architectural and social movement that advocates living simply in small homes. According to The Tiny Life, "the typical American home is around 2,600 square feet, whereas the typical small or tiny house is between 100 and 400 square feet. Tiny houses come in all shapes, sizes, and forms, but they enable simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space." Getaway is a startup that offers simple escapes to tiny, beautifully crafted cabins in nature, in spots spread around New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York. In their own words, their experience is built for "taking the time to rest and unplug from the daily hustle and to focus on ourselves, our relationships and the wonder of nature." Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart. Maps is the navigation app by Apple. Submit your questions and I'll try to answer them in future episodes. I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoy the show, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps. Show notes, transcripts, and past episodes at gettingsimple.com/podcast. Theme song Sleep by Steve Combs under CC BY 4.0. Follow Nono Twitter.com/nonoesp Instagram.com/nonoesp Facebook.com/nonomartinezalonso YouTube.com/nonomartinezalonso

This debut novel from the author of The Drunken Botanist is based on the forgotten true story of one of the nation's first female deputy sheriffs.Constance Kopp doesn't quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago.One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family -- and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.Amy Stewart has written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including four New York Times bestsellers: The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants and Flower Confidential. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, the American Horticulture Society's Book Award, and an International Association of Culinary Professionals Food Writing Award.Writers LIVE programs are supported in part by a generous grant from PNC Bank.Recorded On: Tuesday, September 15, 2015

This debut novel from the author of The Drunken Botanist is based on the forgotten true story of one of the nation's first female deputy sheriffs.Constance Kopp doesn't quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago.One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family -- and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.Amy Stewart has written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including four New York Times bestsellers: The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants and Flower Confidential. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, the American Horticulture Society's Book Award, and an International Association of Culinary Professionals Food Writing Award.Writers LIVE programs are supported in part by a generous grant from PNC Bank.

Amy Stewart might be best known as a writer of lively non-fiction about the natural world, with several books including Flower Confidential, Wicked Plants, and The Drunken Botanist, but today we talk about her fiction debut, Girl Waits with Gun, which is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Did you know that the alcohol that gets you drunk in a beer or a cocktail is actually the waste products of billions of dead yeast organisms? Or that most of our crops were initially grown to make alcohol and only later were actually used for food? These are just some of the crazy facts that we learn this week as we interview New York Times Best Selling author, Amy Stewart. Amy is the author of 7 books, and perhaps her most popular is the one we focus on this week, The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks. This fascinating concoction of biology, chemistry, history, etymology, and mixology will make you the most popular guest at any cocktail party. Amy Stewart is the author of seven books. She has written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including four New York Times bestsellers: The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential.  She lives in Eureka, California, with her husband Scott Brown, who is a rare book dealer. They own a bookstore calledEureka Books.  Since her first book was published in 2001, Stewart has appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and Fresh Air, she’s been profiled in the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, and she’s been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, the PBS documentary The Botany of Desire, and–believe it or not– TLC’s Cake Boss. Amy has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many other newspapers and magazines. She is the co-founder of the popular blog GardenRant. ____ "Next time you have a beer or a cocktail, just remember what you are drinking is the waste products of billions of dead yeast organisms." - Amy Stewart Quotes from Amy: What we learn in this episode: How did humans discover alcohol? How is alcohol made?  What plants and/or grains are used to make each style of alcohol? Resources: The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks http://www.amystewart.com/ @Amy_Stewart Amy's Favorite Alcohol: Strega Cocchi Americano Woodford Reserve -- This episode is brought to you by: Lynda.com: Do something good for yourself in 2015 and sign up for a FREE 10-day trial to Lynda.com by visiting Lynda.com/smartpeople. WealthFront: The automated investment service that makes it easy to invest your money the right way. Visit wealthfront.com/smartpeople to to get your first $10,000 managed for free.

This month author Amy Stewart joins Six Apart's Harold Check to discuss her new book, Flower Confidential, which was just released by Algonquin Books. It tells the inside story of the global flower business, from breeders to growers to brokers...