Books for Christmas - Part 3:

MANUAL OF BULBS.

Consultant Editor: John Bryan Series Editor: Mark Griffiths

Based on over 50 years of horticultural experience. This is a concise, tightly written book, giving the reader information about Bulbs in the broad sense, i.e. tubers, rhizomes, corms & true bulbs. Possibly the most complete single book on the subject.

It is based on the massive Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening; this spin-off volume covers all bulbs, tubers, corms, and rhizomes, documenting their natural history and providing complete descriptions, cultural information, and practical advice. It contains all the information from the Dictionary plus more, with superb line drawings.

From RHS Manual of Bulbs edited by John Bryan.

Popular horticultural bulbs (daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, etc.) can be planted in the open ground in the autumn, at a depth of twice the height of the bulb, and then left to look after themselves. Many Lilium spp.and hybrids (especially those that are stem-rooting), some Fritillaria spp.(especially F. imperialis and its cultivars) and certain amaryllids Pancratium illyricum, P. maritimum and Amaryllis belladonna are examples)require deep planting to 15 cm (6 in) over the top of the bulb, the lilies requiring very rich soil. Rich, well drained soil is appreciated by most bulbs, as is an autumn mulch with garden compost or leafmould. Animal manure should be avoided or only used when very well rotted. It is of the greatest importance when tidying in the garden not to remove bulb foliage until it begins to die back naturally, likewise to keep container-grown bulbs in growth until natural dieback starts.

I personally can recommend this good book written by a friend. John is one of Nature's gentlemen.

446 pp, 84 detail drawings, 6 X 9 1/2", hardcover, 0-88192-339-7, ©1996

CLEMATIS - A Gardener's Guide to the Genus. by Christopher Grey-Wilson.

Clematis is the most popular of all garden climbers, a popularity that is undoubtedly due to the astonishing range of varieties available. From modest alpines to herbaceous perennials, from delicate scramblers to rampant climbers, both deciduous and evergreen, the genus offers the gardener plenty of scope.

Some offer delightfully scented flowers, and the range of colors virtually fills the spectrum, from white, yellow, and blue to green, brown,and many shades of red.

Timer Press's previous Gardener's Guide to Growing Clematis emphasizes the large-flowered cultivars. In contrast, Grey-Wilson's book highlights the species, which number more than 300; all of the species in cultivation are described fully, as are important species not yet in cultivation.