2 comments about Making the Most of Clematis.

1. Anyone growing, or thinking of growing clematis should read this book.

   Whether you're an expert gardener, or if you're a beginner like me, it provides great information for all levels. The book was most helpful this spring when I wanted to begin growing clematis. Mr. Evison's easy to follow writing, led me to choose Venosa Violcea (sp?), a perfect plant for my sunny container garden. Now that it has finished flowering, I can definitely say that I made the right choice in plants! His directions are concise, clear and complete, and I am looking forward to many more seasons of colour by following the advice in his book.




2. Whether you're an expert gardener, or if you're a beginner like me, it provides great information for all levels. The book was most helpful this spring when I wanted to begin growing clematis. Mr. Evison's easy to follow writing, led me to choose Venosa Violacea, a perfect plant for my sunny container garden. Now that it has finished flowering, I can definitely say that I made the right choice in plants! His directions are concise, clear and complete, and I am looking forward to many more seasons of colour by following the advice in his book.

2 comments about Clematis for all Seasons.

1. Excellent photographs and information on growing clematis. The information on propagation seemed rather sparse, however. My pet peeve with this book: from the beginning of the book the abbreviation "A.G.M." is used after the name of many varieties, but we don't learn what A.G.M. means until page 123 of the book! The author should put this valuable info at the VERY BEGINNING of the book.



2. I own 20 Clematis books and this one is the one use to learn the true color of a clematis before combining it with any companion. So many wonderful photographs and discriptions.

1 comments about A Comprehensive Guide to Clematis.

1. The author is a famous clematis breeder and gardener near Exeter, Devon, , UK. "A Comprehensive Guide to Clematis" was first published in 1989, but it is still one of my favourite clematis books.I like most his detailed and accurate descriptions of clematis species and cultivars, but every information this expert gives us about cultivation, propagation and pests and diseases is worth to be red carefully. Don't forget, Barry Fretwell is the breeder of the world-famous Texensis-hybrid 'The Princess of Wales' (often called now 'Princess Diana'). If you don't have it in your garden - look for it and buy it! Besides, he bred a lot of other fine clematis too.

No comments about Making Most of Clematis.

4 comments about Trouble Free Clematis: The Viticellas.

1. Of the 20 or so books that I have on Clematis, this is one of my favorites because it explores a kind of Clematis about which most gardeners have limited knowledge: the so-called smaller-flowered types (although many are not so small) that are not susceptible to clematis wilt, the scourge of the large-flowered varieties. The common viticellas are listed alphabetically, with colour photogragraphs of the the buds and the foliage as well as of the flowers, for easier identification. An appealing feature is that there are numerous plates showing similar coloured flowers side-by-side for reference and easy comparison. This book opens up a whole new world of Clematis growing.



2. This book had promise. The author did a fine job of presenting this wonderful family of plants, but the photography was the worst I have ever seen in a published work. I quit counting the out-of-focus pictures just a short way into the book, and they already numbered 20. I skimmed ahead, and sure enough, there were more. Many more.

   Truly incredible...

   I very rarely return a book, but this one is going back.




3. I was amazed when I received the book. So many out of focus photographs. many of the photos were so bad that one would not be able to identify the plant unless you knew it. Why would a publishing company allow such poor quality to slip through their quality control department. Did Mr Howells not reveiw this book prior to final production.

   The photographic quality certainly for me, had a very negative impact on quite good informative documentation.Not a worthwhile buy as far as I am concerned.




4. Thorough and interesting explanation of this outstanding Clematis genus. User friendly terminology, clearly defining all aspects of the Clematis Viticellas. A chapter on Clematis cultivars; a chapter on cultivation details what easy plants these are to crow; A chapter containing a full discussion of displayed Clematis Viticella sets forth excellent examples and achievable ideal supports, climbing techniques and placement with various hosts. Seasonal details are excellent. The history, interesting details, comparisons to other Clematis as well as the pertinent footnotes makes for great reading. The photographs of garden growing plants are good and reflect invaluable advice on the use of colours.
   I find this book to be the most informative of the Clematis books whether new at growing this vine or an experienced grower. It will be kept close at hand

2 comments about Rose and the Clematis.

1. This book treats explains rose and clematis habits in an easy to understand way. There are plenty of suggested combinations for roses and clematis - the photography is lovely.

   I wish he would come round and plant up my garden for me!




2. This book provides insight into the fundamentals of combining clematis with roses by focusing on the plants blooming periods and what makes for a pleasing color scheme. It's ideally suited to individuals new to the concept, as well as those more experienced,wishing to hone in their skills on combining the two. The reader should already have basic knowledge of how to grow each type of plant beforehand, and be aware that the book is from the United Kingdom and, therefore, tends to name roses found there rather in the U.S. That aside, it is a gem.

1 comments about Clematis: For Colour and Versatility (Crowood Gardening Guides).

1. Clematis: For Colour and Versatility is an outstanding book for anyone truly fascinated with Clematis and aspiring to grow them as part of their garden. Keith and Carol Fair provide down to earth realistic advice about Clematis, as well as a fascinating introduction to the plants. With the sage advice of this book, I've gone from a $4.99 purchase of a Jackmanii to over twenty in my garden!!

3 comments about American Horticultural Society Practical Guides: Clematis.

1. I have become entranced with clematis in the last couple years, and have been looking through as many books as I can find to develop greater knowledge of their growth habits, pruning needs, care and colors. This book had succinct but ample explanations, clear illustrations on how to plant, prune and propagate, as well as a gallery of pictures of the flowers, grouped by color. Reading this small book, I felt I had everything I needed to know as an amateur. I now have seven different clematis in my garden, and they are among what pleases me most. The only negative was that I disagreed with the coloring of the H.F. Young plant--the one in my garden is much paler than the picture. I also would have liked to see even more photos of various flowers.



2. A very basic book covering all the fundamentals of successful clematis growing. Superb color photographs. It is a must for anyone contemplating growing clematis. The information is presented in a down to earth non-technical way. It is truly worth its purchase price - some more expensive books do not have half this much information. Certainly a bargain price - a must for anyone interested in clematis. Most books are written from a U.K. perspective but this one is indeed for the U.S. gardener.



3. Wonderful clematis photos and great information!

1 comments about The Gardener's Guide to Growing Clematis (Gardener's Guide).

1. The first thing that stands out when you read this book is the great photography and excellent illustrations. Raymond J. Evison guides you through the wonderful world of Clematis by teaching you all there is to know about this beautiful plant. You will learn the history, classification, the different species, and much more.
   As Evison states, this book isn't a monograph of the species, but a guide for the gardener. So, it has just enough background information so that the gardener has a good foundation. Even I got a bit lost in the groups section, but it becomes clearer as you get more into the book. I would have liked to see some shots about propagation, planting, training, and pruning, especially in a growing guide, but overall the descriptions and the book as a whole is great.
   This is not a book for the complete novice, but for the intermediate to advanced gardener.

4 comments about An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Clematis.

1. I own every book ever written about clematis. Unfortunately, this book was written by a Brit. That's the only negative for a North American grower. If you can own only one book on clematis this is the one. The author is very generous with her information. At least read this one cover to cover before buying anything else.



2. The word "encyclopedia" is sometimes overused, but not in the case of this book by Mary K. Toomey. The reader will enjoy learning about the huge number of clematis varieties with information on each one. The author even includes the different names that some varieties have in the market. This volume is a must for the serious gardener and especially for the clematis enthusiast. I highly recommend it.



3. and readable, and inspirational. i like that it not only gives the usual flower description, plant height, pruning group but also indicates whether a plant is vigorous, compact, proliferous (habit), flowers early spring, late summer, both (flowering period), can grow through shrubs, against a light background, or sprawling on the ground with creeping junipers (recommended use). and the chapter on pruning, and all illustrations within, is priceless esp since i've just started into group A and B plants (i have mostly group C viticellas that i cut to ground level). i think now that i'd like to start a clematis collection, and try out the other species like integrifolia, macropetala, alpina, texensis, and their wonderful varieties. virtually each page is a pleasant surprise of yet another clematis i've never heard of before, splashed with pictures that are just beautiful. this book is definitely drool material for the planthusiast, to be savoured gingerly on a cold and lazy winter day like today :-]



4. I am a gardening fanatic and have collected and enjoyed Clematis vines
   for years. I own over 55 different varieties and have come to enjoy
   reading about the various species. This book is the most comprehensive
   and enjoyable to date. There are many pictures and a lot of detailed
   information. Excellent Resource.