Book details. ... For centuries, herbs have been prized for their beauty and utility in the garden, kitchen, and medicine cabinet. The New American Herbal: An Herb Gardening Book

: Unlike many clinical herbals, this work is lushly illustrated with photographs taken by Orr himself, emphasizing the aesthetic beauty of herbs in a garden landscape. Practical Applications

This title is available in both softcover and digital formats from major retailers like Amazon and Penguin Random House . The New American Herbal: An Herb Gardening Book

Orr positions the book as a modern successor to historical herbals, which traditionally combined plant identification with medicinal and culinary lore.

Stephen Orr is a veteran garden authority, having served as the editor-in-chief of Better Homes and Gardens and gardening editorial director for Martha Stewart Living . His expertise is rooted in firsthand experience, much of which he documents in his other works like Tomorrow’s Garden and The Gardener’s Mindset . Critical Perspective

: Before the directory, it provides foundational knowledge on herb families, flavor profiles, propagation, and harvesting.

Reviewers often note that while it is an excellent horticultural guide, it is less of an in-depth clinical text for medicinal practice. Its strength lies in its balance—offering just enough history and folklore to be engaging, while remaining firmly grounded in practical cultivation and modern use.