WILDFLOWERS OF THE FAIREST CAPE: Peter Goldblatt & John Manning

Of all the Plant Kingdoms known to mankind, the Cape is probably the least documented in terms of readily available literature to the ordinary plant lover. We are all familiar with Proteas, Pelargoniums and Gladiolii but what of the Cybistetes, Sebeas and Orphiums? I must confess to not having heard of these until this wonderful book arrived with me....but my appetite has certainly been whetted.
Peter Goldblatt is Curator of African Botany at the Missourri Botanical Garden and is a world authority on Cape Flora and author of many books on the subject. His latest work is a wonderful collection of plants of the area, admirably supported by some excellent photography from John Manning, a research scientist at the famed Stellenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town and an author in his own right. They have combined to produce a very informative and very readable book on the subject.
With 649 coloured photographs and text which includes descriptions, flowering times and habitats this is indeed a very valuable aid to those wishing to become more familiar with Cape plants. The introduction gives some remarkable facts about this tiny, botanically rich area. There are close to 9000 species in 960 genera, 60% of which are endemic. That alone is enough to make you inquisitive but then there is a section entitled "Wildflower Routes" which includes details of the most prolific areas around the Cape, the plants which can be seen there and at what time of year. There is also a map showing you how to get to these places.......and then there are the photographs of the plants, arranged by family to aid identification in the field and fully described in a later chapter. There are plants here to excite bulbophials, flower arrangers, exhibitors and those who just want a garden full of colour. Whilst there are very few 'alpine' plants described, plants of the mountain passes are shown to be both interesting and desirable and of course the bulbs are in a class of their own.
This is a well produced and attractive book which would grace any bookshelf but more importantly, it is full of plants and information, otherwise not available to many enthusiasts. Although my knowledge of Cape plants is far from comprehensive, I am sure that this work will be hailed as one of the finest on the subject for many years to come. I have a feeling it will be one of those books I have readily available the next time a seed list arrives through my door.

Published by Red Roof Design cc, Cape Town and available through Timber Press: Wildflowers of the Fairest Cape: ISBN 0-620-24787-8: 315pp including 649 colour photographs.
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The Gardener's Encyclopaedia of NEW ZEALAND NATIVE PLANTS: Yvonne Cave & Valda Paddison

And yet another encyclopaedia of plants.This time from New Zealand and what a book this is. As wary as I am of 'encyclopaedic' publications, this one actually delivers the goods. 320 pages packed with information and excellent photographs of almost 1000 NZ native plants. I have over 20 books in my library dealing with the flora of New Zealand and this is one of the best.
The book is beautifully presented having been designed around the types of plants illustrated, rather than the family to which they belong. Botanical information is kept to an absolute minimum, although Latin names are given in preference to common names and there is a glossary of both botanical terms and botanical Latin appendages. The introduction describes plants for special conditions and shows photographs of the plants in both natural and garden settings. The use of trees, grasses and ferns in the landscaping is particularly interesting. This will be a boon for designers as well as gardeners and plant lovers.
The sections include Trees & Shrubs, Climbers, Herbaceous Plants, Groundcovers, Alpines, Orchids and others....all fully illustrated in colour. There is an excellent Plant Description and Cultivation index, describing the plants illustrated (with cross reference numbers to the illustrations) and the book also includes a Glossary, a Bibliography and a listing of Native Plant Nurseries. Altogether, a well thought out design, unusual in many gardening encylopaedias of this kind.
For anyone interested in the flora of New Zealand..and using NZ natives in their garden design, this book will prove of immense value. To those who have never given it much thought, a whole new world of beautiful plants will open up before you. I would highly recommend this publication to anyone thinking of travelling to NZ and although it is much too large to be used as a field guide (11½"x9"), the photographs will prove an invaluable aid in identifying the flora.
For anyone just looking for a book on New Zealand plants, then this is the one to have in their collection.

Published by Godwit.© 1999 and available through Timber Press: The Gardeners Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Plants by Yvonne Cave and Valda Paddison: ISBN 1-86962-043-7: 319pp including almost 1000 colour photographs.
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ROCK GARDEN PLANTS - A Color Encyclopedia by Baldassare Mineo

The long-awaited Color Encyclopedia(sic) of Rock Garden Plants has at last come onto my bookshelf. Was it worth the wait? Well that's a matter of opinion. It was always going to be compared to the Alpine Garden Society's two volume reference and in this respect it pales into insignificance as a classic work. Having said that, at a fraction of the cost of the AGS version, it has the potential to outsell the 'bible'.
There are reputedly over 1300 plants mentioned in the text. I say reputedly because nowhere does it tell you how many plants are described or how many photographs are included, although it would seem that each plant described has an accompanying photograph. I use the terms 'description' and 'photograph' loosely. The descriptions are minimal. One could excuse this as the plants are illustrated but the cultural advice is so basic as to be of little value. And some of the photographs are of such poor quality plants that I question their inclusion. In a work of this nature, I would not expect to see a photograph of a plant in a 3" plastic pot with half a dozen flowers on it, especially when there are far superior photographs of many of the plants already generally available. The work would have benefitted from putting quality before quantity. There are some very good quality photographs included and by some very good photographers but the inclusion of these inferior specimens, lets the volume down badly.
The book also contains sections on Plants for Specific Purposes and Locations , Hardiness Zone Maps for the USA and Europe and a list of Common Names and Synonyms. In the preface, it is said that "This book will prove invaluable to amatuer gardeners in selecting plants" I would not disagree with that. The newcomer to alpine gardening will find this a useful tool to refer to. But it goes on to say "but is also destined to become an authoritative reference manual for horticulturists, landscape designers, landscape architects and retail nurseries." That I would most definitely question.
In essence, this is little more than an extensive plant catalogue with photographs and at a publisher's price of $59.95US, I will leave you to decide whether it should form part of your library or not.

Published by Timber Press Inc.© 2000 :ROCK GARDEN PLANTS - A Color Encyclopedia by Baldassare Mineo: ISBN 0-88192-432-6: 284pp including 1300 plus colour photographs.
Current Book Price;
£35-00 from Timber Press UK
$59-95 from Timber Press USA
Alpine Society Bookstores may differ....check with them

PENSTEMONS by Robert Nold

The arrival of this book took me back to the Spring of 1991 and the International Rock Garden Conference at Warwick University, England, where I was privileged to attend a slide lecture on Penstemons and Phloxes, given by none other than the Curator of the Denver Botanical Garden, Panayoti Kelaidis.
Placed judiciously on each seat in the auditorium - presumably by Mr & Mrs Kelaidis - was a publicity leaflet for the American Penstemon Society. This led me to membership of the APS and to, not so much a love affair with the genus, but certainly an everlasting affection ....................and the publication of this work is one which will have been awaited, not only by myself but the many 'penstemaniacs' throughout the world.

It is appropriate therefore, that the Foreword for this new book should be written by Panayoti, himself an expert on the genus. But the plaudits must and surely will, go to the author Bob Nold, for his painstaking work in putting this book together. Bob and his wife, Cindy Nelson Nold, grow over 200 Penstemons in their garden in Lakewood, Colorado and this book bears all the hallmarks of not only an expert botanist but a passionate gardener.
The genus, North America's largest endemic, is notorious for its invalid names and nomenclatural chaos but the author has adequately described some 270 species, many of which are illustrated with superb colour plates from some of North America's finest photographers. There are 43 colour photographs and 12 water colour illustrations, the latter beautifully painted by Cindy.
The book contains informative sections on, amongst others, Cultivation, Morphology, Habitat & Distribution, Nomenclature, Genus Divisions, Related Genera and Propagation and gives a generous listing of establishments able to supply seed.
The book is written in an authoritative but very 'down to earth' manner, a most pleasant change from some of the monographs one reads through. All in all, a very comprehensive and enjoyable work.
The author, in his modest way, states "This book is a summary of the facts as I know them." Few, if any, will know the facts about Penstemon as well as Bob Nold. This book will undoubtedly remain the reference work on this genus for many, many years to come.

Published by Timber Press Inc.© 1999:Penstemons by Robert Nold. ISBN 0-88192-429-6: 259pp including 43 colour photographs, 12 colour illustrations and 18 line drawings.
Current Book Price;
£22-50 from Timber Press UK
$29-95 from Timber Press USA
Alpine Society Bookstores may differ....check with them

CREATING AND PLANTING GARDEN TROUGHS by Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt

I first chanced upon alpine plants growing in troughs sometime in the latter part of the 1970s when I had the pleasure of visiting the late Joe Elliott at his Broadwell Nursery in the Cotswolds. The initial impression this form of gardening made upon me has stayed with me to this day. It was with great expectation, therefore, that I awaited the publication of this new book on garden troughs. I was not disappointed.
Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt have pooled their respective expertise of construction and planting to write one of the most authoratitive books on the subject.
This work is, as the title implies, about garden troughs and NOT trough gardens. It has a most comprehensive chapter (42 pages) on the construction of hypertufa troughs covering everything from what materials to purchase, what tools to use, how to make the moulds, and how to give your trough an 'authentic' look. From my experience of trough making nothing appears to have been missed. Joyce Fingerut has excelled in her meticulous attention to detail.
Following on from the construction of the troughs there are two excellent chapters on "Planting the Troughs" and "Plants For The Troughs". Between them these chapters cover what soils to use, how to landscape the troughs, and what types of plants are most at home in this environment. The chapter "Plant Talk: Recommended Plants For Troughs", is again very well thought out, and not only suggests which alpine plants are most suitable for troughs but also which dwarf conifers, ericaceous plants and bulbs will be happy to make their homes there. The final chapter deals with "Planting Schemes" and details the planting-up aspect and very importantly where to site the troughs in the scheme of things. You may think what is the point of having a "plan" if you are only going to make one trough? Believe me, with this book to hand, you will be making troughs until your back -- or your bank balance -- gives out on you.
In the section "Sources and Resources", there is a wealth of information on books, plant societies, plant and seed sources, and a list of construction product suppliers. Whilst the last two are essentially of American origin, the book has a universal appeal and it won't take much imagination to find suppliers local to your geographic area.
Having made hypertufa troughs for the past 20 years or so, I approached the section on construction with some degree of nonchalance. Be it known that I have already made changes to my techniques as a result of reading this book. If you are serious about wanting to make even one solitary hypertufa trough, then buy this book first. It will, at this excellent value-for-money price, undoubtedly pay for itself before your first trough has cured.

CREATING AND PLANTING GARDEN TROUGHS by Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt: B.B.Mackey Books © 1999 ISBN 1-893443-00-0
164 pages: 10" x 7": 25 Colour Photographs; 116 Black & White Photographs; 9 Line Drawings plus 2 Planting Schemes
Available from
B.B.Mackey Books
P.O.Box 475,
Wayne,
PA 19087-0475
e-mail:BBMACKEY@prodigy.net

Current Book Prices; July 1999
US=$22.25including postage
Canada=$26US or $37CAN including postage.
UK, Europe and Rest Of World=$25(US) for standard shipping, $29 by International Priority Mail.

HIMALAYAN COBRA-LILIES (ARISAEMA)
THEIR BOTANY AND CULTURE By Udai C. Pradhan
Review by Cliff Booker : May 1999

As I opened the heavy cover of my review copy of this book, I was fortuitously reminded of a conversation I overheard at a recent Alpine Garden Society Show here in the north of England. A trade display staged by a nationally known firm of bulb growers proved a tempting lure to one of a group of visiting lady gardeners who, on espying the bounteous (and, to me, truly beautiful) stands of mixed arisaemas, audibly gasped and quite covetously drooled the following words; "Ooh, what are they?……how do I grow them?…….I'll take two of each". Another lady, of a similar age and equally stunned, could barely disguise her distaste for the wraith-like flowers and trifoliate leaves of these strange Asian cobra-lilies. "You aren't buying THOSE are you?……..They are twelve pounds each …….and horrible". And thereby hangs the dilemma surrounding these amazing Himalayan gems……A modest proportion of the alpine gardening fraternity have been totally smitten by their darkly seductive charms and will attempt to add each and every species to their rapidly expanding collections, while many 'more traditional' alpine growers still prefer an unsullied range of low growing cushion and scree plants. Personally I am more than willing to be seduced by these Himalayan temptresses and have learnt much about their peculiarities and preferences from reading this delightful book. Though not without it's faults (the words 'quality' and 'finish' are not inextricably linked or immediately brought to mind when one is asked to consider the physical properties of the second revised edition), this remarkable tome does possess information in abundance, an excellent key, illustrations, distribution maps and/or photographs of all the currently identifiable Himalayan species. These strange tuberous plants can thrive in many diverse habitats from exposed, rocky, often windswept uplands, where they can survive under deep snow for almost half the year, to the deep unrelenting shade of lower temperate and tropical forests. They usually frequent sites that are predominantly cold and almost arid in winter yet warm, humid and often deluged during the monsoons of summer. Continued…… The tubers, the shape and internal colour of which are essential factors in the identification of species, can grow almost on the surface in the woodland litter or be entombed to a depth of 30ctms beneath the surrounding rocks and grasses. The genus has representatives in such diverse countries as Afghanistan, Mexico, China, South East Asia and North America but the majority of the one hundred plus species of cobra-lilies are to be found on the Indian sub-continent and this superb treatise closely examines the 27 Himalayan species and their varieties, giving cultivation hints, habitat information, detailed botanical descriptions and even covers the historical and etymological backgrounds of each of these appealing relatives of the arum. As cultivators of arisaema species from areas and countries quite distant from the Himalayas it would, of course, be advantageous to possess a monograph on the genus in it's entirety, but whilst we await such a development with eager anticipation we can consummately enjoy and assimilate the plethora of information in Udai Pradhan's esteemed book.

HIMALAYAN COBRA-LILIES (ARISAEMA)
THEIR BOTANY AND CULTURE By Udai C. Pradhan PRIMULACEAE BOOKS: 2nd Edition 1997 ISBN 81-85423-04-0. 100 pp including 4 colour plates, 32 line drawings, 16 black & white photographs and 27 distribution maps. 24cm x 17cm. $35(US) incl. registered air mail delivery.

PRIMULACEAE BOOKS are available from
Abhijit Villa
KALIMPONG 734301
Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council
West Bengal
India

FIELD GUIDE TO ALASKAN WILDFLOWERS by Verna E. Pratt
A guide to the most common flowers seen along roadsides and in areas easily accessible by road.

WILDFLOWERS ALONG THE ALASKA HIGHWAY by Verna E. Pratt.
A guide to the flowers seen along the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, B.C. to Fairbanks, AK.

WILD FLOWERS OF THE DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND INTERIOR ALASKA
A guide to the plants of Denali National Park from the Park Entrance to Kantishna.

My knowledge of the Alaskan Flora (and I suspect that too, of many of my readers) is sadly lacking in depth due, in no uncertain measure, to the paucity of published material at our disposal. I was delighted therefore, to receive a set of books from Alaskakrafts which, although published in the late ’80s and early ‘90s, are, thankfully, still available.

The books, “Field Guide To Alaskan Wildflowers” (now in its ninth printing),“Wildflowers Along The Alaska Highway” and “Wildflowers Of Denali National Park, all published in paperback, are exceptionally well produced and represent extremely good value for their modest cost.

My library of alpine and wildflowers books contains, as you would expect, a number of field guides but few, if any, are as comprehensively illustrated as this collection. Between them, the three books contain over 1100 photographs with very few duplications. (Certain plants are, quite naturally, shown in each of the books but with quite different photographs). Whilst not all the plants found in Alaska have been included in these books, there is a very strong representation of the flora from the Northern Jasmine (Androsace septentrionalis) to the Barnacle Saxifrage (Saxifraga eschscholtzii).

But there is much more substance to these guides than just the photographs. There are chapters on Edible Plants, Poisonous Plants, Flowering Times, Areas Of Outstanding Interest, Plant Check lists from areas along the highways, Plant Family descriptions and much, much more.
For anyone contemplating a visit to Alaska, these guides are indispensable. For those of you who just wish to acquire a knowledge of the flora of Alaska, then you will be inspired by these pictorial powerhouses of pleasure.
The authors, Verna and Frank Pratt have worked together to produce these books and whilst Verna is the authority on Alaskan flora, both are members of the American Society Of Media Photographers......and it shows. As founders of the Alaskan Native Plant Society, they have done much to promote the Flora Of Alaska. Their obvious affection and dedication shines through every page of this trilogy.

Field Guide To Alaskan Wildflowers by Verna E. Pratt.Published by Alaskakrafts Inc.© 1989. Reprinted each year since.
136pp including 248 colour plates. 6" x 9" The plants are arranged by flower colour and the edges of the page have colour bars for easy reference. ISBN 0-9626191=0-1 $15.95(US)

Wildflowers Along The Alaska Highway by Verna E. Pratt. Published by Alaskakrafts Inc.© 1991. Reprinted 1996.
230pp including 497 colour plates. 6" x 9" The plants are arranged by flower colour and the edges of the page have colour bars for easy reference. ISBN 0-9623192-1-X $19.95(US)

Wildflowers Of Denali National Park and Interior Alaska by Verna E. Pratt and Frank G. Pratt.
Published by Alaskakrafts Inc.© 1993.
166pp including 410 colour plates. 6" x 9" The plants are arranged by flower colour and the edges of the page have colour bars for easy reference. ISBN 0-96263192-2-8 $14.95(US)


The above publications can be obtained from Alaskakrafts Inc: PO Box 210087, Anchorage, AK 99521-0087 or via their Web Site at Alaskakrafts

Other books are available by Verna E. Pratt amongst them a beautiful children's book based on Linnaea's World. If you have children or grandchildren, this would make a delightful keepsake for them.

WILD ORCHIDS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA: A Botanical Travelogue
Philip E. Keenan

Having, as I do, a profound love of orchids, equalled only by my passion for exquisite alpine plants, the arrival of this book was anticipated with a desire normally reserved for the discovery of a new Asiatic primula. That was until I became aware of the sub-title " A Botanical Travelogue." In my experience, travelogues are notoriously personal, usually boring, accounts of the author's last vacation.
Not so "Wild Orchids Across North America." Philip Keenan's narrative of his extensive travels across the North American continent is both gripping and informative and must rank with Philipson & Hearn's "Rock Plants Of The Southern Alps" as one of the most readable works on natural floras ever to have been published.
The author's knowledge of his subject is indisputably first class, as are his authoring skills but what makes this book stand head and shoulders above the rest are the photographs. 170 colour photographs taken by the author in the wild and every one of them a masterpiece in its own right. From the Kodiak Island Cypripedium yatabeanum to the Flame Orchis (Platanthera ciliaris) of Connecticut, each photograph will have you yearning to follow in Keenan's footsteps.
In addition to the memorable text and superb photographs, there is a Checklist of North American Orchids, an Identification Synopsis (very helpful for field work) and a comprehensive bibliography. These together with the Botanist's Notebook - (a look at some of the less glamourous 'green' orchids, a chapter on Spiranthes and a look at the life-span of Goodyeras ) and an introduction to some exceptionally beautiful natural hybrids, make this one of the best books to come my way in many a long year. It was a pleasure to read and will be many more times over.

Published by Timber Press Inc.© 1998:Wild Orchids Across North America by Philip E. Keenan. 321pp including 170 colour plates. ISBN 0-88192-542-0

SUCCESS WITH RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS
H.Edward Reily

An invaluable book for lovers of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, be they beginners or experienced enthusiasts. A richly illustrated work (over 80 superb colour photos) which is the culmination of many years of devotion and research of these acid loving shrubs by author H. Edward Reily.
This book lays out in simple terms, what is required to grow both species and hybrids to perfection. There are over 500 species and hybrids listed, many of these in colour, with full descriptions and the book includes an ingenious "Good Doers" section which identifies suitable plants for all the hardiness zones of the USA, Britain, Australia and Canada, prepared from painstaking research by members of the various chapters of the American Rhododendron Society and its affiliated branches. It would be extremely difficult not to find a selection suitable for your climate. Not sure if you have the right soil? Don't worry, this book also gives full details of soil requirements and growing conditions necessary for perfect cultivation. For the more adventurous, there are sections on propagation, hybridisation programmes and even show exhibits.
A rare mixture of practical information coupled with comprehensive plant listings and illustrations, make this a book unlikely to sit on any bookshelf for too long. I would even suggest buying two copies as one would very quickly become worn out through constant usage.

Published by Timber Press Inc.© 1992: reprinted in paperback form 1995:Success With Rhododendrons and Azaleas by H. Edward Reily:: 285pp including 80+ colour plates

MINIATURE GARDENS
Joachim Carl
Originally published in Germany in 1978, this marvellous work by Joachim Carl has been translated into English by Martin Kral and republished by Timber Press Inc. If you have any interest whatsoever in growing plants in troughs, then this is the book for you.
Carl takes you through the origins of container gardening from early oriental masterpieces to the present day trends of patio plantings. Each chapter is illustrated with excellent line drawings by Emil Wetter and shows both design concepts and planting schemes in great detail. There is also an excellent section on plant selection and advice on cultivation. This book is great value not only for the inspiration it offers but for the ease with which one can follow the design and construction pages. With 70 full colour plates included, this is one of the better books on container gardening and indeed if my library were to contain just one book on trough gardening, then this would be it.

Published by Timber Press Inc.© 1990: Miniature Gardens by Joachim Carl: 158pp incl. line drawings and 70 colour plates

The books reviewed above can be purchased direct from
Timber Press
2-4 Station Road,
Swavesey,
Cambridgeshire CB4 5QJ,
UK.
timberpressuk@btinternet.com