1 comments about Crocosmia and Chasmanthe (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Collector Guide).

1. I couldn't wait to get this book. I really like this groupf of bulbs and I wanted to learn more about growing them and the varieties I could grow and the work being done with them. Well I was in for a surprise. this book does little of that. What it does do is give the reader the history of the plant and its introduction into horticulture. The work that went into it is staggeringbut nothing for the gardener. Infact after reading it I don't think the authors even grow the plants it is treated as more of an object than a plant. this was made worse by no color photos just illustrations. now don't get me wrong they were nice illustrations. but would it have killed you to include some photos. I can onot reccomend this to any gardener unless you are really into botanic history.

No comments about Bulbs: Growing & Design Tips for 200 Favorite Flowers (Derek Fell's Handy Garden Guides).

No comments about Iris (Gardener's Handbook, Vol 2).

2 comments about Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers: Perennials, Bulbs, Grasses, Ferns.

1. Lloyd's normal rambling, storytelling style doesn't suffer at all from being organized into this alphabetical presentation of his favorite plants. In fact, I like him this way. Some plants get a quick brush off. Some get rich detail. Even the ones I'll never grow are fun and interesting to read about.

   He includes names of favored varieties. Unlike with many "Euro-gardening" books, I have been pleased to find those varieties available by mail and even locally (from a good nursery specializing in perennials). There are exceptions. I liked the Dr. Seuss look of Helianthus Salicifolius in one of Lloyd's photos. Most sites I found by searching for it on web were in foreign languages. There's hope, however, as it's apparently known as "willow-leaved sunflower and rock sunflower" in Kansas. If it doesn't get to Ohio from Europe, maybe it will get here from Kansas.

   I can't give five stars to a book that commits my pet peeve: photos, although lovely and colorful, are printed in sections. They are cleary labeled and referenced to the text and text descriptions have photo number references in the margin, where they are easy to find. It works, but I have four other books by Timberland Press, each intermixing great content with great photos. Go figure.




2. Following a short but informative introduction the main body of the book is arranged alphabetically by plant genus, wherein there is a general description followed by an assessment of each species or variety of that genus. The book concludes with a glossary and an index to plants and photographs. The book is beautifully illustrated with in excess of eighty full and half page colour photographs depicting plants singly and in stunning combination - but however fine the photographs are the stands on its writing.
   
   Unlike any other gardening "encyclopaedia" Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers is a personal account. Yes it is full of information about the plants, size, colour and so forth, but it is honest and forthright in its descriptions. It is typical of his work; in discussing plants he takes no prisoners, and he is not afraid to express his opinions; one might not always agree with him, but such was the stature of the man that I am sure he would not expect one to.
   
   This is a book full of delightful phrases and expressions, brimming with powerful observation and wit. Christopher Lloyd is always a delight to read such that I am sure even a non-gardener would fine his writings pleasurable. It is his combination of informed authority, open mindedness, fearlessness, adventurousness, his passion for plants and gardening and his wit which make his writings such a joy. Christopher Lloyd was one of our greatest plantsmen and garden writers, and this is perhaps the book we've always wanted from him, how fortunate we are now to be able to enjoy it.

No comments about Designing With Bulbs (The Joy of Gardening).

No comments about Bulb Gardening With Derek Fell: Practical Advice and Personal Favorites from the Best-Selling Author and Television Show Host.

2 comments about Lilies (Gardener's Guide to Growing Series).

1. This book is a very good resource for everybody who wants to get informed about lilies in general. It's biggest advantage is it's very accessible language, even beginners won't have a problem to understand. It covers all important topics and is richly illustrated, though it sometimes suffers a bit of the "coffee-tablebook-syndrome".

   It is a perfect work for beginners and advanced hobbyists who want to be well informed, but don't intend to use much too advanced techniques. For those it is quite usable and a very valuable source of information. Only experienced collectors and professionals might sometimes feel a bit unsatisfied.




2. I would recommnend this title, there are a lot of pictures, and therefore a bit less written information, but on the whole I think this book is worth buying.

1 comments about Bulbs for Warm Climates.

1. There is a shortage of books on bulb gardening for Southern gardeners, however this book does little to remedy that shortage. Thad Howard's book reads like a textbook and is not user friendly for the recreational gardener. Basic information such as planting time and depth, soil preference, bloom time, and light needs is missing or scattered in the text. Howard focuses too much on bulb classifications and history and not enough on giving readers advice on how to pick bulbs that will be successful in their garden. Academics and those in the bulb business may enjoy this book, the average gardener will be disatisfied. If Howard wishes to sell more books he should at the least add a legend for each major bulb with basic information the gardener needs.

No comments about Pocket Guide to Bulbs (Timber Press Pocket Guides).

No comments about The Complete Practical Handbook of Garden Bulbs: How to create a spectacular flowering garden throughout the year with bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes (Complete Practical Handbook).