Noted book reviewer Kathleen Van Hom writes: "Richard and Mary Helen Eggenberger convey a thorough
knowledge of plumeria culture.  It's obvious the book represents years spent touring tropical gardens worldwide, working as design consultants and growing this wonderful, fragrant tropical.  With a unique writing style that blends the spiritual and poetic with down-to-earth practical growing advice and thorough botanical information, the Eggenbergers have created a pleasure-to-read package.  Instructions for culture are very detailed and make sound sense.  The photographs are beautiful". The Department of Education, State of Hawaii, calls it "A beautiful book, ... contains such a wealth of inforfnation ... it has everything."

Thirty years ago the beautiful and fragrant plumeria was known to very few. With the formation of the Plumeria Society of America in Houston, Texas, word began to spread about this easy-to-grow tropical that would reward one with intoxicating fragrance and bloom for months at a time.  It was even discovered that plumerias could be allowed to dry out thoroughly in the fall (before a frost) and then be put to bed in a warm attic or closest and forgotten about for the rest of the winter.  When taken out in spring (after danger of frost was past) and given water and high phosphorus fertilizer they burst into bloom from their winter night's sleep.

Mary Helen and I have just published the 4th edition of The Handbook on Plumeria Culture, July 2000. It gives you all the information you'll need to grow and flower plumerias in virtually any area of the U.S. during your frost-free season.  Plumerias make excellent container plants and love full sun and take any amount of heat, while requiring little care. Almost everyone who visits Hawaii falls in love with these magnificent tropicals.

Our second book, The Handbook on Oleanders, highlights another wonderful semi-tropical plant that also blooms month after month and loves heat and full sun.  Many dwarf oleanders with stunning blooms have been hybridized recently and are perfect for container culture.  Oleanders are carefree plants and need only average care, but even a little attention will reward you with flowers that cover the plant in a great range of bright colors.

Happy Gardening.
Richard and Mary Helen Eggenberger

Hobby Greenhouse - Those interested in Oleanders will find that this book contains a vast amount of valuable information, especially for the beginner.

The Green Thumb - Doc and Katy Abraham - We have given it high marks. It is a really nice book, material is nice and crisp and the photos are super. Congratulations on a job well done.

George and Mary Stewart - Garden Experts and lecturers in Houston, Texas - What a delightful surprise to receive your marvelous book. I'm amazed at the beauty and completeness of the language. The pictures are simply breathtaking.

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station - Dr. Wayne A. Mackay - It will make a welcome addition to my reference books. I commend you on the quality of your work ...

Professor Octavia Hall, Galveston, Texas - Peerless 3 dimensional photography & color reproduction. Clear interesting text, well rounded most informative volume.

Kathleen Van Horn - noted book reviewer a unique writing style that blends the spiritual and poetic with down-to-earth practical advice a pleasure-to-read package. the photographs are beautiful.

Department of Education, State of Hawaii -  A beautiful book, ... contains such a wealth of information it has everything.

Pacific Coast Nurseryman - The Handbook on Plumeria Culture represents years of touring tropical gardens worldwide, working as design consultants and growing the fragrant tropical.

From Amazon.com reviewers:

This is THE book for growing Plumerias! Very thorough!, October 23, 1999

Reviewer: plumerias7@aol.com from Florida - This book is THE handbook for anyone interested in growing plumerias. It gives all the info you'll need to be a "plumeria farmer." Whether you have one tree or 200, you'll find all necessary info about the following topics (and many more): classification and naming of cultivars, historical data, plant types and descriptions, propagation of seeds, cuttings, grafting, soil mixes, planting and transplanting, sun requirements, watering, fertilizing, mulching, pruning, hybridizing, pests and diseases, problems and solutions, dormancy, cold tolerance, winter storage, growing plumerias indoors, landscaping, ETC. You can grow plumerias in any climate if you know how. This book makes it easy. It includes MANY color photographs, and the entire book is on glossy paper. The Eggenbergers are experts in plumeria culture, and their knowledge is poured into this book. Despite the plug for their Indian religion in the introduction, it is a VERY valuable book. It's paperback, and has 107 pages, but contains all you need to know about plumerias.

The One and Only, March 6, 1999 - Reviewer: SUNSET1400@aol.com  from Miami Beach - Just about the only comprehensive book on this genus of tropical trees. As a frangipani/plumeria collector and grower it has been indispensable. It started me off (great for beginners ) and is still my bible. It would be wonderful if a publisher would have the Eggenbergers write a coffee table styled book on their subject.