Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2007, 01:59:04 PM

Title: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2007, 01:59:04 PM
Presumably you have all indulged in some book purchases following the Christmas benevolence of family and friends. It seems that after buying plants, buying books is the next best thing for most gardeners. I thought I would give a note on three books I have read since Christmas:

The first is simply a beautiful book which is certain to appeal is ‘The New Garden PARADISE – Great Private Gardens of the World’ by Dominique Browning and the editors of House and Garden. This is a large format book, 34cm X 26cm and runs to 460 pages so at £30 is represents the best value in beautiful horticultural printing that I have seen available this season. The past twenty years have seen a boom in interest in gardening and in gardening design particularly. In this book the author sets out to display the very best of garden design and has chosen from among the most talented designers of our time. Christopher Lloyd, Piet Oudolf, Sarah and Monty Don, Sarah Raven, Dan Pearson, Penelope Hobhouse, Dan Kiley, Martha Schwartz, Fernando Caruncho and Topher Delaney are the familiar names among others of international reputation. The publicity blurb puts it very well, ‘Here on display are 35 private gardens designed for the rich and famous by the talented and creative.’ This is a lavish production, full of outstanding photographs – what you would expect from House and Garden –of exceptionally beautiful gardens from North America and Europe, with one from Japan. They are simply stunning in themselves but are also a great indication and record of present day horticultural design. This is the one you will want for yourself! [The New Garden PARADISE – Great Private Gardens of the World,  Dominique Browning and the editors of House and Garden, W.W. Norton and Company,  New York & London, 2005, HB, 464pp, £30, ISBN 0-393-05939-1]

Dorling Kindersley has a deserved reputation as publisher of books of the highest quality with excellent illustrations and photographs, well organised, clear and user-friendly layouts all on sale at very reasonable and competitive prices. When such an organisation combines forces with the Royal Horticultural Society to publish a book, such as Perennials, it scarce needs praise or recommendation from me. You will be familiar with these encyclopaedia-type books and so it is important to point out the differences in this volume. More usually, I have had books of this nature covering all manner of plants between one pair of bookends: trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, biennials etc. This book deals purely with plants which may be considered herbaceous perennials in our climate. As it does not set out to cover the whole gamut of garden plants the authors/contributors are able to give a more in-depth coverage to the type under consideration. Because of this the range covered is excellent; there is room for many outstanding photographs and the text accompanying each entry is fuller than found in other similar publications. Why do I not sound terribly enthusiastic? It can only be that I expected no less. Dorling Kindersley and the Royal Horticultural Society have a tried and trusted history of high quality horticultural publications and they have done it again with this book. This is an excellent book, a solid reference book for someone gone past the beginner stages of their gardening interest and extending their interest in a wider range of plants. [Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Perennials, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2006, HB, 495pp, £25, ISBN-13: 978 1 40530 600 3]

Finally, allow me to recommend a beautiful book about a group of people who have created beauty for our enjoyment through the art of flower painting. This is A History and Dictionary of British Flower Painters 1650 – 1950 by Josephine Walpole. The author initially gives a short introduction to floral art from around the world before confining her attention to British flower painters in the period selected. This section occupies slightly over half of the book and is so beautifully illustrated that one is loathe leaving it to continue to the dictionary section. Many of the illustrations are of plants in their natural setting, others of material obviously picked and brought to the studio and others still of the most beautiful floral arrangements – these will certainly appeal to the flower arrangers among you. All are beautiful and many stunningly so; truly something to feast the eyes upon.

The second section of the book is a dictionary of British Flower Painters born between 1650 and 1950. The entries, in their length or lack of it, no doubt illustrate the standing of the artists but sufficient detail is given to satisfy the reader. Illustrations in this section of the book are in black and white and are smaller than those in the earlier chapters, yet allow the author to include a greater number than might otherwise be possible. This section is reference material and though valuable has neither the visual interest nor beauty of the earlier part of the book. This is a beautiful and very enjoyable book. [A History and Dictionary of British Flower Painters 1650 – 1950, Antique Collectors’ Club, Suffolk, 2006, HB, 236pp, £35, ISBN 10: 1 85149-504-5]


I have attached images of the covers below but in greyscale as this is how I had them stored on my computer in preparation for a book review for a garden society newsletter which I edit here in Ireland.

EDIT: Apologies. I am working on a slow internet connection at the moment and have posted the images in a low resolution to allow me to post them. Hope they appear reasonably well for you. P.

Paddy

[attach=1]
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[attach=3]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 09, 2007, 03:48:00 PM
Paddy, I am sure the images are sufficient to allow readers to get a "feeling" for the look of the books when they go shopping. I know we should all be making life easier for ourselves by using the ISBN numbers to ID what we're searching for, but  in a shop, I'm sure I'm not the only one who begins by using my eyes to see if I can spot the target!!
Thanks for this new page, Paddy, we hope you will be adding to it as time allows you.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 09, 2007, 07:54:26 PM
Thank you, Maggi.

Hope it is of interest to forum users.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Geebo on February 20, 2007, 07:45:54 PM
Hi All
Is there anyone who has a copy available of Brian Mathew A Gardners Guide to Hellebores,Please send me an @mail,I would like to purchase.The book is out of print.
Gheers,
Guy. ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 02, 2007, 07:48:29 PM
Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners

A new book of interest to many of us here!
'Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners' by John E G Good and David Millward, is an authoritative and practical guide to understanding alpines for all gardeners. Co-published with the Alpine Garden Society, the book studies in detail the ecology of alpine plants for the benefit of the keen alpine gardener.

The authors are well known to this Forum, of course! Since the book is co-published with the AGS we'll forgive the fact that the membership of both authors of the SRGC isn't stated! ;)
See this page at the Reckless Gardener site for a review:
http://www.recklessgardener.co.uk/books/book20.htm


Book details:
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: B.T. Batsford Ltd (4 April 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0713490179
ISBN-13: 978-0713490176
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: DaveM on April 04, 2007, 09:56:27 PM
Many thanks Maggi for pointing to this review, the first we've seen. Just hope the rest are as kind as this one........

Doctor Rock ....aka..... the Rock Doc
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 04, 2007, 10:00:54 PM
My pleasure, Dave... we have suggested to the publisher that they might care to have the book reviewed for this forum, but no reply as yet!  :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on April 04, 2007, 10:52:42 PM
Oh, is that you Dave?

I have the book to hand but have only glanced through it to date. I have a few days holidays and will be able to read it at my leisure now.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: DaveM on April 05, 2007, 07:06:13 PM
Indeed it is I. The book was John Good's magmum opus. He is a professional ecologist and for some years he has lectured to rock garden groups on the ecology of alpines. I contributed the geology bits which also expand on a talk that I have given to many of the Rock Garden Club groups in Scotland and AGS groups in northern England. Hope you find the book interesting. I should be pleased to hear your opinion.
Dave
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on April 05, 2007, 10:27:15 PM
Dave,

From first impressions I know I will like the book. This is why I have left it. I had to read six books during the last week for a book review article; yours was not included as I wanted to read it at leisure. The others were books which could be read at speed without losing much.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 21, 2007, 02:14:16 PM
WIN A COPY OF ALPINE PLANTS, ECOLOGY FOR GARDENERS BY JOHN E.G. GOOD & DAVID MILLWARD.


Eventually I have come round to posting this review, something I said I would do more than a month ago. Other books intervened again. To make up for my tardiness I have consulted with Maggi and have posted 7 photographs of plants below the review by way of competition. Identify the plants and send your answer to Maggi, offline. The winner will receive a copy of the book. The book came courtesy of the publishers.

Closing date: entries extended until 8am 12th June 2007

Maggi is judge and jury, her rules are final, her judgement is final, no niggling disagreements.
All with fully correct answers will be put into the proverbial hat and a winner drawn.

Alpine Plants
Ecology for Gardeners
John E. G. Good & David Millward.

Alpine plants may fare better in your garden after you read this book. While plants are not the main focus of attention in the book they will certainly be the clear beneficiaries, for those who read it are more likely to understand and grow their alpine plants far better.

Rather than focus on plants this book directs its attention on the ecosystems in which these plants grow and aims to lead readers to a better understanding of the ecology of alpine plants so that they may better grow these plants in their gardens. A quotation from Robert G. Ingersoll (1833 – 1899) on the title page succinctly sums up the book, “In nature there are neither rewards nor punishment; there are only consequences.”

This is rather a challenge to the attitudes of Irish gardeners as we are wont to say of a departed plant, “It died on me.”  Now we must, perhaps, reconsider and entertain the thought that some action of ours may have actually led to this demise. An uncomfortable concept yet one which the book bears out very clearly.

The introductory chapter outlines the concept of ecosystems and gives a short introduction to the various alpine zones in which plants grow, what are the causal factors for these zones and the vegetation types which occur within these zones.

A more detailed treatment of the arctic and alpine ecosystems and the plant types which grow there follows. Following chapters deal with climate, snow cover, geology and soil (Dave’s area of expertise, I believe!). Nutrition, reproduction, distribution and the effects of climate change are covered subsequently giving a treatment of growing conditions for alpine plants which it thorough, informative and thought provoking.

As said earlier, this book does not set out to tell us how to grow alpine plants but with the background information that this book provides the reader should certainly have a better understanding of the various factors and influences on these plants in the wild and by applying this knowledge may grow alpine plants more successfully in the garden.

I liked this book; a good step up from the ‘how-to’ type of book or the ‘picture-and-description’ type we so commonly encounter. It is a book with substance, something to say, worth saying and well said. The book aims to inform and does so admirably.

What is left to the reader? Why, the application of this newly gained knowledge.

Read on, grow better.

[Alpine Plants: Ecology for Gardeners, John E. G. Good & David Millward, Batsford, London, 2007, HB, 176pp, £25, ISBN 0 7134 9017 9]

Paddy

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on May 21, 2007, 07:45:31 PM
God! that's tough.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 21, 2007, 09:09:41 PM
Quote
God! that's tough.
Yes, I thought so too! But think of the nice prize! Paddy, bless him, thought that all but one were quite straightforward... ??? Still, I know there are lots of you out there who will get most or even all the answers.... not just the four I managed!! So, let's be hearing from you! Send your answers by Personal Message to me, Maggi Young... NOT in a posting in this thread.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 21, 2007, 09:35:30 PM
David,

They're not tough at all - for me that is as they are in the garden and I know them over the years. I tried to pick the plants so that some would be recognisable to all and some would challenge all so as to separate the experts from the more expert.

Have a go. It's meant to be a bit of fun. Also it does draw a bit of attention to a book co-authored by one of our forum members, the Rockman himself, and I do believe it is important to support our own.

Hoping a good number of people participate. It's worth having a go. You may think you don't know all the answers but then again, how many does the next person know?

Maggi is the only one who will know this.

Have fun.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on May 22, 2007, 07:37:47 PM
Just to let you all know I will have Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners if you are looking to buy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 22, 2007, 09:01:22 PM
Carol,

Have you read it? And if so, how did you find it?


And I think I beat you on price!

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: DaveM on May 22, 2007, 09:21:07 PM
Paddy

Pleased to hear that you enjoyed reading the book. Many thanks for your kind comments.

Phew, the competition's a tough one. So far, think I can only identify one plant with any certainty....... But it's a challenge which I'm sure folk will respond to.

Dave
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 22, 2007, 10:49:17 PM
Dave,

I think that under the normal rules of such competitions you might not be permitted to enter, so no worries about how many you have identified.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on May 23, 2007, 06:12:07 PM
Hi Paddy

No I haven't read - did see when David M. came to he Moray group and had an advance copy. How are you beating me on price? Given that I have not quoted one ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 23, 2007, 08:48:19 PM
Quote
How are you beating me on price? Given that I have not quoted one
Carol, you're getting slow in this warm weather.... Paddy' sbook is FREE... it is the Quiz Prize!!  ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: DaveM on May 23, 2007, 09:10:26 PM
Just as well, Paddy......  but it wont stop me having a good cogitate, will it ??? ??? ???
But seriously, I think the competition is a great idea.

Dave
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 30, 2007, 11:37:03 PM
Come on folks.

Surely I don't  need to start giving hints on the plant names - see the competition questions posted earlier.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 31, 2007, 12:29:42 PM
So, you think you don't know them all and haven't sent in your entry yet!

Not to worry, NOBODY has them all right so far so you are in with a good chance to win this book even with most of the answers correct.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on May 31, 2007, 12:44:11 PM
Sorry Paddy - I would have loved to take part in the competition - but your pictures painfully confronted me with my still very limited knowledge in the plantworld....  :-[ .... especially when you leave the restricted domain of alpines.
You're clearly growing a totally different range of plants than I am...

I appreciate the initiative though !
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on May 31, 2007, 01:43:04 PM
Luc,

I don't believe you!!!!

Have a go anyway. You never know - you might be the lucky one!

And I promise that nobody will be embarrassed by having their answers revealed.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 03, 2007, 12:31:27 PM
Right, everyone, sit up, please and pay attention!
The response so far to Paddy's competition to win a copy of the super book Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners has been somewhat underwhelming.... what is up with you folks? Don't you want a free book? Remember, this volume is co-authored by one of our very own Forumists, Dave Milward... the lad will be feeling seriously under valued at this rate! To win this book, all you have to do is study the photos from Paddy's garden, earlier in this thread, and send me a personal message, via the forum or by email, with your answers....how hard can it be?  True, paddy seems to grow a wide range of weird and wonderful plants but I know how varied the tastes are of the forumists and I cannot believe that there are not a few of you out there who could have a good stab at the quiz. Perhaps you have all bought the book already? If so, then well done, but still have a go at the quiz.... when you win, the book will make a lovely present for a friend!!
I'd have a go myself, but now Paddy has given me the answers!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 03, 2007, 02:10:48 PM
Someone is paying heed... that's an entry just arrived. Thanks you! Still time for a few more........ ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Andrew on June 04, 2007, 04:02:15 PM
The response so far to Paddy's competition has been somewhat underwhelming, this volume is co-authored by one of our very own Forumists, Dave Milward... the lad will be feeling seriously under valued at this rate!

Maggi, if you had not said anything, he would not have known ;D.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 04, 2007, 06:38:44 PM
Quote
Maggi, if you had not said anything, he would not have known

Oops! Hadn't thought of that  :-[   But if I hadn't said anything, we wouldn't have had a good competition for the prize  :P   It's not all beer and skittles, this job, you know...it has tricky bits! ::) :o
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 05, 2007, 05:56:54 PM
To paraphrase a voting slogan used here - enter early, enter often!

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 05, 2007, 08:36:17 PM
Two more entries have arrived since my last plea.... come on, you can do it!

By the way, have I bored you already with my opinions about making voting ( in general and local elections) compulsory? I'm toying with the idea, here, i tell you! ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on June 10, 2007, 01:28:22 PM
The Publications Section of the club has some new titles in stock that might be of interest to members.

Ian has already glowingly described the new Roscoea book in a recent bulb log (30/5/2007). We offer this at £33 (RRP£35).
Another new title to us from Kew is 'The Genus Sorbus' by Hugh McAllister. It brings up to date the latest botanical research and has invaluable sections on propogation and cultivation.
We await the imminent delivery of a stock of 'Buried Treasures' by Janis Ruksans. This describes his methods of bulb growing and his amazing bulb exploration adventures in the former Soviet block Europe and across Asia. A gem of a book which we are selling at £25 (RRP £30).

The Genus Roscoea        Jill Cowley                                  £33

The Genus Sorbus          Hugh McAllister                           £32

Buried Treasures            Janis Ruksans                             £25

See secretaries pagesfor postage nd packing costs

Enquiries and orders to carol@findhornpress.com

If you wonder why I am posting at 1o'clock on Sunday afternoon it is becase the weather is miserable outside. It might  be sunny 10 miles inland but here the haar is in and it is cold and wet. If it doesn't improve I will soon finish reading Buried treasures!



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 11, 2007, 07:53:37 PM
One last call for entries to identify Paddy's plants, pictured earlier in this thread,page one, to win a super book!WIN A COPY OF ALPINE PLANTS, ECOLOGY FOR GARDENERS BY JOHN E.G. GOOD & DAVID MILLWARD.
All entries must be received by 8am tomorrow morning UK Time) that is, 12th June.
A winner will be announced later tomorrow!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 20, 2007, 08:06:45 AM
Just to remind you all that 'Buried Treasures', 'The Genus Roscoea' and 'The Genus Sorbus' are now all available - check out the bookstore pages on the main web site for info. Also, and just as important, if you spot an ew book you think we should be carrying - let me know!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on June 20, 2007, 08:16:17 AM
and the winner is ............

I see Janis' book is already available second hand for under half price. I darent show the link or Carol will kill me! I pre-booked mine it still isnt here
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on June 20, 2007, 08:36:10 AM
Hi Mark
My copy has arrived!!...At the house of the member who ordered it, so I can pick it up the next time I get to Melbourne, probably on July 7th!
So you'll probably get to see a copy long before I do!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 20, 2007, 07:37:18 PM
Mark, where did you order from - not the SRGC! I had an e today from another SRGC member who ordered from us who received her copy today and was happy to note the the AGS site was still showing a July delivery date.

Folks when a new title is about to come out I do my best to get it asap and to offer the best price to you guys. In this case a discount plus no postage within the UK! Sometimes it is difficult as the publisher/distributor is less than helpful on the ordering front!

The book list is not there to make a profit for the SRGC, but to serve the membership. If the majority of members order elsewhere we need to look at the viability of continuing this service which does generate its own costs, which can not be covered if the members chose to buy new titles from the like of Amazon. In this instance amazon.co.uk is offering Buried Treasures at £23.10 stating an rrp of £35 when it is actually £30 as stated by Timber Press. Given that Amazon will then charge P & P on top of this cost, buying from the SRGC (assuming you live within the UK) will cost no more than buying from Amazon and you are supporting a facility that club members who don't have access to the internet need.

The SRGC 'can' get a discount which I can pass on to members - if I order enough of a title - BUT can I justify a big order if I am then going to have to sell off stock at a significant reduction later on and actually lose money - no I can't. Like so many things these days this is a 'use it or lose it' situation.

 David & I will do our best to keep everyone updated on new titles we are about to bring into stock and ask for pre-orders. In turn please flag up a title we might otherwise miss - I'd rather receive a dozen e mails telling me about something I already know than miss a title!

Alternatively tell us this is not a service you want and I will take that to the next Council meeting.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on June 20, 2007, 07:44:10 PM
bought from Amazon. They offer free postage if there is no hurry for the book. Thats usually 4 days
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on June 20, 2007, 08:35:54 PM
and the winner is ............

have I missed the result, or hasn't it been declared yet? Maggi seems to have been very quiet for the last week, is she not well??
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 20, 2007, 08:45:05 PM
And the winner is...

David,

I'm as in the dark as you are. I have been away for a few days and have not been in contact with Maggi re the competition. I'm sure she has it all at her fingertips.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 20, 2007, 08:52:07 PM
Mark,

I'm afraid it is the fate of most gardening books to very quickly end on the remaindered stack in bookshops or at the wholesalers. Publishers make a great effort to publicise a book at the time of its launch but very quickly it is apparent if the book is a seller or not. If a book does not sell well immediately it is very quickly viewed as a dead loss and left at that. There's always the next book, I suppose.

So, Janis' book selling at half price is nothing unusual. Obviously pre-publication publicity moved a number of  people to purchase prior to publication.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 20, 2007, 09:16:28 PM
The 'new & used' on Amazon is NOT from Amazon direct but via a 3rd party... You pays your money and you makes your choice...

Again I would ask the forum members do you want an SRGC book shop?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on June 21, 2007, 09:44:52 AM
My own view, taking into account the way I tend to buy books, is no, but I accept Carol's point that some members of SRGC will not have access to the Internet.

 Looking at the situation from a purely hard-headed business point of view, if the service does not generate a surplus to contribute to the SRGC 'whole', or indeed cover its own costs, then there seems no point in offering it ???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 21, 2007, 07:24:40 PM
This, and isn't :) a reply to David!
Given that the SRGC is an educational charity it is important that we offer our members a way of buying titles that it would otherwise be difficult for them to get. Equally we do not need to make a profit on the sale of said titles. The presence of the book stall at the various shows we manage to get to allows the membership, and Joe Public, the opportunity to buy specialist books and helps to raise our profile, for example we were the only stand selling gardening books at Gardening Scotland (Scotland's Chelsea). Overall we are probably around break even and that is fine with me, but I have to say I do feel frustrated when so many forum members happily announce they have bought a book from Amazon or the AGS, is it because you don't think of the SRGC as selling books? I can understand foreign members ordering from Amazon but not the AGS, perhaps you are not members of the SRGC? A quick e-mail to me asking if we have a book or can get it at a reasonable price will be answered the same day unless I am out of the country as I have my e-mail 'live' all day.
I hope this is not coming across as a rant - I just want to offer SRGC members the best service I can, with David's help. As we get new titles, or hear about forthcoming titles, these will all be posted on the books page of the main SRGC website. Would it help if this info. was also posted on the forum?

your friendly publications manager  :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 22, 2007, 10:08:33 AM
re the SRGC bookshop...surely the point is that those without internet access can use the service?


re Paddy'e comp.... I am still feeling grotty and PC is in repair shop ( interesting non sequitur, that, don't you think?) only accessing briefly via laptop to keep up with Forum. More later!
Maggi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 22, 2007, 06:27:42 PM
Hi Maggi, yes of course all the non-internet users can order from me. I am just curious to know why those who are on the forum don't, or haven't. In part I think that is because on the AGS website the books are given far more prominence and, as this is someones 'day job' they have lots of time to put up info on new and upcoming titles along with pix of same. We are starting to put up info on the members booklist page but I wonder how often it actually gets looked at, the forum is what seems to attract the folk - for very good reasons!

Oh and if someone, anyone, can tell me how to get the AGS to respond to my requests for info on how to buy ZZ's book on Crevice Gardening for the SRGC I will be eternally thankful!  :(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on June 22, 2007, 07:11:06 PM
'Buried Treasures' by Janis Ruksans is now available through ABEBooks, from a British supplier, (no doubt obtained from an American source) for £14.51 plus £2.80 post and package in the UK see http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sortby=3&sts=t&an=Ruksans&y=16&x=45
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: derekb on June 22, 2007, 07:29:41 PM
 Carol,
        It is a good idea to post new books on here as most of us look most days.
I am sorry I was one of the guilty ones who ordered from Amazon, I ordered as soon as it came up before you made it known, I would always prefer to order from you as living down south this is one of the benefits that we can have. It is alright for people to find books cheap on some web site but if we do not order from you we loose all chance of finding some obscure book for our personal use so please carry on the good work.Would it be possible to ask you for a book that is not on the list as I have been looking for Orchids from seed I have found it now after a long time trying but you might have had more success.
Derek
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on June 22, 2007, 07:50:28 PM
Amazon have finally mailed mine
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: derekb on June 22, 2007, 07:54:27 PM
And mine.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 23, 2007, 12:56:08 PM
Hi Derek and everyone else

Any time you are looking for a book that is not on the list just send me an e-mail and if it is available I will get it! I will put a complete, revised, list up on the book page in the next few days. The snag with the list in the secretaries pages is it is basically out of date before it is even in print. I'm working on ways of getting round this - with something like a section saying 'coming soon'. Of course if I didn't have the day job I'd be able to do so much more - unfortunately if I didn't have the day job I wouldn't have the money to spend on plants and bulbs and seeds and pots and, and, and.... so I guess I will just have to keep on with the time I have available.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on June 29, 2007, 10:22:28 AM
I would be interested to see the names of the mystery plants if that is possible?  Did I miss the winning result ...  or is it just dementia setting in!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on June 29, 2007, 10:40:14 AM
I've been holding my breath in anticipation for a week now
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on June 29, 2007, 10:50:03 AM
Mark, take a breath immediately otherwise it could be very bad for your health ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 29, 2007, 02:37:21 PM
Hi Brian, Mark et alia,

As you know Maggi has had computer problems and her health hasn't been the best of late and consequently hasn't been able to post the results of the book competition. I will save her the work - she has e-mailed me the results.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Winner is: .....  Fermi de Sousa


And as for the identities of the mystery plants:

Podophyllum peltatum - an emerging leaf of the American Mandrake
Beschorneria yuccoides - the flowers were just opening at the time of the photograph. Now fully open the flower spike stretches to about 2 metres
Lathyrus aureus - a nice colour in a pea, I think
Dryas drummondii - a nice fluffy seedhead
Weigela middendorffiana - certainly an odd-shaped flower for weigela
Astelia chathamica syn. A. nervosa var. chathamica showing the yellowish flowers which are not really that attractive. The foliage is the main attraction.
Fraxinus retusa var henryana (not sure of this last spelling - maybe 'henryii, whichever, called after Augustine Henry) I put this one in to puzzle the experts as it is quite an uncommon ash and certainly the flower is far from what one would expect from ash.


Now, I hope I have satisfactorily answered all questions. No correspondence will be entered into, no disagreement entertained - in other words, I am off now to the airport and off on holidays for a while. Keep well, everybody and a special 'Thank You' to all who entered and all who took an interest and to Timber Press who very kindly supplied the free book.

Paddy




Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on June 29, 2007, 07:10:22 PM
Have a good holiday Paddy.

Well done Fermi and congratulations, I hope you enjoy the book.

I will not reveal my score, suffice to say I will crawl back under my stone :-X
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 01, 2007, 05:29:43 AM
Thank you, Paddy, for the book, I'll look forward to getting it after your holiday!
I hope you and your computer are feeling better soon, Maggi!
Carol, I'll have to take a closer look at the SRGC Book Shop before I order any new books, I have to admit that I usually put in a joint order with a friend who uses the AGS service, but I guess we can be persuaded!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on July 01, 2007, 12:05:34 PM
well done Fermi! Maybe some seeds will go with the book?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on July 02, 2007, 08:56:46 AM
Congrats. Fermi! Been down south and only got back late Friday night - well by the time David got me home from the airport it was around midnight!

Fermi big snag with sending books to you guys is the mailing costs but I'm happy to give you a quote.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on July 03, 2007, 07:17:24 PM
Okay this is a possible new title for the book list - how many of you guys would be interested if I bought stock in?


ADVANCE INFORMATION SHEET


Title:          Ophrys - The Bee Orchids of Europe

Authors:       Henrik Ærenlund Pedersen
         and Niels Faurhodt
   
Imprint:      Kew Publishing
Specification:      234 x 156 mm, hardback
Page extent:      296
Illustrations:      illustrations, photographs and maps
Publication date:   July 2007
Price:          £33.00
ISBN:         978 1 84246 152 5
Rights:       © The Board of Trustees of the Royal             Botanic Gardens, Kew
• A long overdue modern treatment (i.e., a "popular monograph") of the genus Ophrys throughout its European range
• A new classification of Ophrys based on morphologically well-distinguished taxa which are hierarchically treated as species, subspecies or varieties according to ecological, geographic and evolutionary features
• Presents a new way to classify partly stabilized hybrid complexes in Ophrys
• Contains identification keys at both species and subspecies level, thus allowing the reader to adjust use of the keys according to own needs
• 226 colour photographs, 13 line drawings and 26 maps illustrate the morphological variation encountered in the especially variable taxa, their biology and distribution
• How to cultivate Ophrys plants in the greenhouse and garden
• Gives the best Mediterranean destinations to see Ophrys in the wild

Description
The genus Ophrys, the charismatic bee orchids and their relatives, are one of the most diverse and biologically fascinating groups of plants to be encountered in Europe, particularly the Mediterranean.

Ophrys – the Bee Orchids of Europe is an easy to use, comprehensive introduction to the plants found in Europe. It can be used as a field guide (with keys, descriptions and numerous colour photographs) and a standard reference (with chapters on structure, biology, evolution and conservation).  The chapter by Richard Manuel gives ample guidelines for cultivation for growers, and is especially helpful for conservationists introducing plants back into the wild.

The classification is based on a broad species concept, and offers an alternative to the finely split classifications of the genus that prevail in most recent field guides.

Finally, the chapter ‘recommended Ophrys excursions’ is ideal for planning field trips.

Author information
Henrik Æ. Pedersen is an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, where he is curator at the Botanical Garden & Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark. His research on the systematics, biogeography, ecology and conservation biology of orchids is focused in Europe, the Mediterranean and tropical Asia. Current projects include the preparation of contributions to Flora Nordica and Flora of Thailand. Henrik has studied and photographed orchids in 22 countries.

Niels Faurholdt trained as a forest and landscape engineer, has worked as a forest ranger and now teaches plant biology and plant identification at Roskilde Technical College, Vilvorde. He also runs a botanical consultancy firm and has studied the occurrence and conservation status of Danish orchids for many years. Niels has made more than 30 field trips to Mediterranean countries to study and photograph orchids, particularly bee orchids.


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carlo on July 04, 2007, 01:39:16 AM
Carol,

'Ophrys: The Bee Orchids of Europe' promises to be a valuable addition to our libraries...I'm hoping to have a review on my web site soon...

I'd say put it in stock!

Carlo
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on July 16, 2007, 08:35:55 AM
Go check out the members bookshop... I've put up some special offers that are only available to SRGC members on the site  :o


See this page:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/cgi-bin/books/whatsnew
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on July 21, 2007, 05:13:55 PM
Well Joakim has certainly got himself a bumper box of bargins... no one else interested???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 23, 2007, 11:23:33 PM
Some while ago there were several mentions of Karan Junker and her nursery. She has had a book published in the meantime, one which I enjoyed and have a quick review below for your attention.


The book begins with guidelines on how to develop a woodland garden, a description of the layers within woodland, the assessment of growing conditions, preparation of growing situations and the selection of plants. Quite honestly, I believe she devoted a little too much time to this section of the book as I imagine those with an interest in such a specialised book would have a reasonably good grasp of the arrangement of plants which occurs naturally in a woodland and would be more interested in finding out more about the plants and in being introduced to new species and cultivars suitable for their garden. In this latter aspect this book is certainly not wanting in the least. The selection of species described is indeed comprehensive, covering over two thousand plants. The descriptions are concise yet thorough and give clear information regarding the growing conditions required for each. The selection contains trees, shrubs, herbaceous and bulbous plants, sufficient to provide interest within the garden right through the year. Cultivars of note are also described. The book is well illustrated with excellent photographs, a total of 352 chosen to show those less well known, those which are of particular interest and those which are simply beautiful.

This is an excellent book, very readable and very usable as a reference book. I recommend it to you without hesitation.  [Gardening with Woodland Plants, Karan Junker, Timber Press, London, 2006, HB, 400pp, £30, ISBN13: 978-0-88192-821-1]

Not sure whether or not Carol has this in stock.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on July 24, 2007, 08:41:18 AM
We do, paddy, we do.

Thank you for the positive write up for the book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 24, 2007, 01:54:18 PM
David,

I'm sure you realise then that this is a very interesting book, the alphabetic listing of plants, at least, as the introductory chapters are somewhat too basic for anyone who might be interested in growing the selection of plants described later in the book.

I looked back at the list Carol posted recently - bargain books from the SRGC - and there are some outstanding books there for fabulously bargain prices. It is a great service for members.

At the moment my book money reserves are low; Sarah Raven's Cookbook and The Power and the Glory by David Yallop set me back 75 Euro (£50) yesterday.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 24, 2007, 07:53:07 PM
Interesting to hear about Karan Junker's book, Paddy. She has had some bulbs from us in the past but we seem to have lost contact, though it is nice to see an occasional piece from her in "the Garden", if I remember rightly. Has anyone an up to date website url for  her nursery, please?

PS... so you were not queueing to get your pre-ordered copy of the latest "Harry Potter" then, Paddy?? ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Rob on July 24, 2007, 08:39:37 PM
The website

http://www.junker.co.uk/index.htm

Last updated 09/07/07
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 24, 2007, 08:42:10 PM
Thank you, Rob, very kind.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Rob on July 24, 2007, 09:02:53 PM
I ordered two plants from Junkers in 2004

CORNUS kousa 'Wolf Eyes'
A dramatic recent variegated selection with strong white margins and subtle grey green centres to the leaf. Supposedly scorch resistant but I would only try growing it in full sun on really nice, moisture retentive soil (as always, not too wet in winter though!) One of the best of its group.

MAGNOLIA 'Gold Star'
(M. acuminata var. subcordata ' Miss Honeybee' x M. stellata 'Rosea') Effectively a yellow flowered stellata, this Magnolia is unique. The flowers truly are yellow whilst their form is stellata like being 10cm across and consisting of 13-15 relatively narrow tepals. The larger than usual, almost furry leaves are attractively flushed with deep red when young. All in all this large shrub or small bushy tree is an exciting addition to our collection.

I had to get the plants mail order as I wasn’t able to get to the nursery.

The cornus has done really well, but the magnolia hasn’t flowered yet. Also the magnolia looks like it wants to be a small tree not a shrub, so may not be suitable for my garden.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 24, 2007, 09:05:31 PM
I think a yellow stellata type Magnolia would be lovely... if it's goingto be too big for you, why not dig it up now and drive it up to Aberdeen?  ::) ;D..... not that I know where we'd find room for it!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 24, 2007, 10:59:54 PM
Maggi,

Re Harry Potter: I'll just have to wait for you to tell me all about it. In the meantime I shall be cooking up a storm with the help of Sarah Raven's book. Lesley would love it.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on July 25, 2007, 09:46:18 AM
Updated sale list is now on members booklist... I only have one copy several of the books and it is first come SOLD!  ;D

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 25, 2007, 11:57:59 AM
Quote
Re Harry Potter: I'll just have to wait for you to tell me all about it
Paddy, it'll be a long wait.......when the Potter books first became the  "rage" that they are today, I was mildly interested... waited a while, a couple of books down the line... thought I should catch up with this trend that all the children i knew were raving about.... went to local Library to borrow said books... couldn't, they were always out on loan... after a while of this, I thought I would just bite the bullet and buy he books myself to read... that idea lasted just as long as it took me to discover how much they cost... there were about four of them by this time.. so Harry Potter and all his adventures are a mystery to me and likely to remain so! A young colleague at the BBC was excited to collect her copy at the  midnight launch and was enjoying it  immensely, she reported last Sunday. I assume she'll have finished it by this Sunday's shift and tell me how big the expected bloodbath is .... !!!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on July 25, 2007, 12:31:06 PM
Maggi, we had a copy delivered last Saturday morning; none of this midnight stuff! I haven't opened it yet and Carol has only managed about 10 pages.
I am sure it is much more fun to imagine my own ending to the story :o
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 25, 2007, 09:03:56 PM
Maggi,

Very wise choice, I believe. I haven't read any of  the book but some of the kids at school are absolutely enthralled by them, something which I am delighted to see as, at least, it will have them reading and enjoying the experience and they may continue with a wonderful lifelong pastime - they may even graduate onto gardening books!

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 27, 2007, 07:43:02 AM
The (non-commercial) ABC radio had a segment asking listeners what book they "couldn't put down" (about the time of the release of the last HP) and if I'd been near a phone I would've rung up to say "Buried Treasures" by Janis Ruksans!
My nephews are avid readers of HP and I get to read their books when they're done!
One of our local daffodil growers has been naming his new releases with HP inspired names like "Quidditch"!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 03, 2007, 03:55:06 PM
Here's a link to a page of Carlo Balistrieri's website with a review of a book that may be on interest...
http://www.botanicalgardening.com/schenkhardsurfacereview.html

this is the book in question:
 Gardening on pavement, tables, and hard surfaces. By George Schenk. 2003. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 192 pp. ISBN 088192-593-4. Price: US $29.95.


also this:
http://www.botanicalgardening.com/columbinesreview.html

for this book:
Columbines: Aquilegia, Paraquilegia and Semiaquilegia. By Robert Nold. 2003. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 158 pp. ISBN 0-88192-588-8. Price: US $24.95.

and finally this:
 http://www.botanicalgardening.com/reviewsshort.html
 for details of a few design books/





Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on August 03, 2007, 07:35:19 PM
Available on SRGC Booklist:

Gardening on Pavement etc.    Schenk      £14.99 + p&p

Columbines etc                      Nold         £17.99 + p&p

enjoy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 03, 2007, 07:50:13 PM
Excellent, David, reasonable prices, too, eh?!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on August 03, 2007, 08:13:13 PM
Excellent books, Maggi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on August 07, 2007, 06:26:47 PM
We have 'Lilies' by Edward McRae on the SRGC book list. Unfortunatly it has not been delivered from Timber Press and we have reason to believe that it is out of print. Pity, as we have already had to disapoint two or three customers.
For those who think Amazon is the best thing since sliced bread - they have one copy in stock at £30 when RRP is £25! They also list two second hand copies at £70 and £170.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on August 07, 2007, 08:59:19 PM
Comments on 'Buried Treasures' by Janis Ruksans.

Just finishing 'Buried Treasures', last few pages. So,  my opinion?

My first comment is that the writing style is somewhat stilted, written by a non-native English speaker or else poorly translated. As a result I found it an uncomfortable read quite often. However, one could not but admire the degree of interest and commitment to the collection, growing and sale of bulbs which Janis Ruksans has. The general content of the book presents a fund of knowledge and experience from which the avid gardener will certainly benefit. This is definitely a book for the enthusiast, the knowledgeable enthusiast, as it deals in the main with a selection of plants not very common in cultivation with a particular emphasis on juno irises.

I have read several books similar to this one, books which describe the search and location of new plants, the subsequent attempts at growing these, their propagation and distribution and have found that my enjoyment of each book was in proportion to my knowledge of the plants being discussed.

There were large sections of this book where the level of new information overwhelmed my enjoyment of the book. Other sections in which the plants were more familiar were far more enjoyable. With this in mind one might well consider one's own level of expertise before investing in this book as it is quite pricey, £30. (Just in case you now infer that my having the book means I consider myself an expert gardener let me inform you that I received it free gratis directly from the publishers.) On the other hand, this book will certainly broaded and add to most peoples knowledge of plants and gardening, perhaps an opportunity not to be ignored in these days when we have a multitude of magazines and television programmes which add nothing to our knowledge and very little to our enjoyment of gardening.

Lacking in the book, I felt, was more general background information on the places visited during plant collection. I find it interesting to read of the culture, traditions and way of life of the local people where the plant collector is working. There is little of this type of information in this book making it a one dimensional read. An encouragement received from reading the book was to read of the many, many bulbs which had died on the author. It seemed to be the fate of many of the collections. Perhaps the message is to persevere in one's attempts to grow any new plant and, should it fail, to learn the lessons of the failure and avoid these pitfalls on subsequent attempts. 

So, in summary: I found the style of writing quite poor, the syntax awkward and reading uncomfortable. There was considerable information on bulbs though I think the cultural suggestions had little relevance to growers in areas other than Latvia as the climate there is so very different to what pertains here, for example. Good, not great. A big annoyance was the layout of photographs; instead of being positioned near the text which they were meant to illustrate they are gathered into two sections of the book. This results in the reader flicking back and forth regularly to view the plant being described in the text.

In a note on oxalis I noticed that Harold McBride was described as being from Scotland. Now while I have no doubt the Scots would welcome him with open arms I believe there would be strong reluctance to allow him to move.

Hopefully forum members with a greater experience in the growing of the bulbs dealt with in the book  might add their more informed comments on the book. My perspective is one of the general gardener rather than that of a specialist. Ian has some notes on this book in the bulb log.

And most importantly: the best place to buy this book is from the SCGC. Best value.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 18, 2007, 09:08:34 PM
Janis is on tour in the USA at the moment Here are his upcoming dates and the Chapters he's visiting:
Thur, Oct 18 Sierra, Sacramento, CA
 Oct 20 Great Lakes, Ann Arbor, MI
Oct 21 Adirondack, Ithaca, NY
 Sat, Oct 27 Delaware, Philadelphia, PA
 Sun, Oct 28   Cox arboretum in Dayton Ohio   ***N.B. This is a corrected venue ***
Tues, Oct 30 Columbia-Willamette, Portland,
Wed Oct 31   Emerald, Eugene,
Sat, Nov 3 New England, Boston,
Sun Nov 4   Tri-State, Pelham, NY

See more on www.nargs.org
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on October 20, 2007, 06:43:13 PM
Go and check the info out on the book list... several new titles plus lots of discounts :) Basically any time the books are being sold at a 'members only event' all stock will have a minimum of a 10% discount. Specifically at the AGM there will be a box of bargain books at very low prices - I'd really prefer not to take any of those home ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paul T on October 29, 2007, 11:14:28 AM
Apologies if this book as previously been mentioned......

Bulbous Plants of Turkey and Iran .... a photographic guide by Peter Sheasby
- Also includes the adjacent Greek Islands.
(Alpine Garden Society 2007)   

Oh My Gawd!!  The pictures!!  I need a towel to wipe up the drool every time I open the book.  Bought it at a local garden expo thingy at an open garden here 10 days ago.  Was looking at the Janis Ruksan's book and talking to the owner (who I see from time to time on some of the Aussie gardening lists) and he pointed me in the direction of this book.  I had a quick flick through it and couldn't help myself.  Particularly drawn to Iris acutiloba (which I'd never come across before), so was thrilled by Otto's picture of it in the thread Fermi posted.

Everything from Iris, Orchids, Amaryllids, Colchicums, Aroids, Hyacinthacea to name but a few.  Pics of pretty much everything mentioning.  Positively to die for picture-wise.

So can you tell I like it a little!!  ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 14, 2007, 11:06:28 AM
Liliies: A Guide for Growers and Collectors by Edward Austin McRae

I noticed a  couple of weeks ago David Shaw's comments on the Bookpage on the Main SRGC Site about his difficulty in obtaining the above book from Timber Press. Early last week I saw it in a Garden Centre priced at £25 and had a check on the Internet Book Sites to see if it was available. It was available on www.biblio.com and at an English book shop, priced at a laughable £4 plus £4.99 for p&p. It arrived in this mornings post-a brand new copy.

I did another search on the same site this morning but regrettably it is only now available from an American supplier for £16.99 plus p&p but it's well worth keeping an eye open for it.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 15, 2007, 07:48:01 PM
Re: my previous post, I'm about half way through the book and it's excellent. Very thorough from the points of view of the professional Lily grower and the interested amateur. I can thoroughly recommend it.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ChrisB on November 16, 2007, 01:12:42 PM
For this (and your bargains at a local nursery mentioned in another thread), I nominate you for the 'Gardener's Shopper of the Year' Award.  Anyone second this?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 16, 2007, 01:22:57 PM
Yes, Chris, I am inclined to agree with you..... David has my nomination for Tightwad of the Year er, sorry, that should be 'Gardener's Shopper of the Year' Award ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 16, 2007, 01:55:34 PM
Just wait until I get my pension in February then you'll see the last of the big spenders ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on February 15, 2008, 07:35:59 PM
I have just added some book titles to the 'Members Booklist' page of the web site. These are books that I have just ordered in and do not appear in the Secretaries Pages list. Sorry if it looks a bit messy but what appears on the page is not in the same format as the page on which I made the entries.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 20, 2008, 08:17:20 PM
In this week's Bulb Log:  a review of "Calochortus - Mariposa lilies and their relatives" by Mary E. Gerritsen and Ron Parsons......Published by Timber Press, ISBN-13: 978-0-88192-844-0, at £20.00, $29.95.
Log is here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2008/200208/log.html

Edit: Please see the Members' Book Shop on the main site to see this and  other titles listed. M
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on February 21, 2008, 08:31:48 AM
Maggie
You will have noticed from my last message that SRGC Publications is already offering this book at £18 to give members a 10% discount.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on February 21, 2008, 09:13:33 AM
It obviously makes no sense for US & Canadian members to order the Calochortus book from the SRGC (the $ price is absurdly low!) but I do hope that UK & Europe members will do so. This is not the first time that a forumist has put up info on a book giving publisher details - or even Amazon details - when we already have the title available to members. Perhaps if you see a new and interesting title a quick e-mail to the publications manager to check if they have in stock can save this happening again?

On a completely different note it is great to be posting again! :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on February 21, 2008, 09:26:33 AM
Is there a difference between a 'service to members' and those members making a commercial decision? The book in question is available on Abe Books at the lowest price of £9.79 plus £2.80 p/p see

 http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=gerritsen+and+parsons&kn=Mariposa&sortby=3&x=72&y=9

It's a competitive world out there folks.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on February 21, 2008, 11:47:31 AM
Obviously all of us have the right to go and buy books where ever we chose to and cost is a consideration for most of us. All I was, and am, suggesting is that it is good to check whether the SRGC has stock of a title and mention that too. If a member then decides to surf the web to find the cheapest available copy that is their choice.

Oh and as a publisher in my 'day job' I have to say a bitterly regret the loss of the retail price book agreement whereby a book could only be sold at its cover price. It has resulted in many small publishers and independent book shops going to the wall as they can no compete with the like of Amazon and the supermarkets. The majority of Europe still has the retail price agreement with the result that they have thriving book stores.  :'(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 21, 2008, 12:51:08 PM
Glad to see you "up and about" again, Carol. I hope you are feeling much better.

I would imagine that SRGC Members reading about any book would check to see what is available from the SRGC book store......many people... many THOUSANDS of people, reading both this Forum and Ian's Bulb Log, are, however we might regret the fact, NOT SRGC Members! The most useful info about any book includes the ISBN number, publisher and published price.... If the retail book price agreement were still in place, then that would be the ONLY price.

While I would encourage anyone enjoying this Forum on a regular basis to join the SRGC and so support the Club and secure the future of this site as a valuable resource.... it is part of the aims ofthe SRGC to disseminate information about our chosen field of plants and related matters, to as wide a public as possible .....something we seem pretty good at here, I reckon  8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Katherine J on February 21, 2008, 01:54:15 PM
Hello Everybody,
I am thinking about buying Saxifrages of Europe by D. A. Webb & R. J. Gornall. I would like very much to hear your opinion about this book, and if I should buy it from amazon or from abebooks (which I haven't known until now) - for the same price and almost the same delivery rate - or maybe from the SRGC???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on February 21, 2008, 02:15:20 PM
Hi Katherine

I can't comment on the book itself but note that it was published in 1991 and is now out of print. Thus it is not a title that the SRGC carries, Amazon themselves don't carry it but act as agents for folk selling 2nd hand copies. Malcolm McGregor would be the person to tell you if it is still up to date.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on February 21, 2008, 02:18:30 PM
Hi Maggi

Agreed we want folk who are not SRGC members to be able to buy books too.

Thanks for the good wishes I am 'getting there' as they say... fed up of blood tests and taking pills but this too will pass. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Katherine J on February 21, 2008, 02:40:18 PM
Thanks Carol for your reply, yes, I meant buying 2nd hand copies, if it is worthwhile. I am still waiting for comments on this book. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 21, 2008, 03:39:57 PM
Kata, Hello!
 I have a copy of this book... can you read Czech? If so, then I will send it to you....I do not read Czech!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Katherine J on February 22, 2008, 07:43:40 AM
Maggi, you are very kind, thank you, but I can't read Czeh, so I don't think I could use it. :(
English, German, Hungarian and Romanian is ok  ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on April 12, 2008, 06:52:49 PM
Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges

The second edition of the marvelous book is now available and described in 'Members Booklist'.

If you wish to save on postage please contact me and I will reserve you a copy to be collected at either Perth or Aberdeen Show.

Happy reading.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on April 27, 2008, 07:16:35 PM
'Garden Plants for Scotland' Kenneth Cox and Raoul Curtis-Machin
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/071122675X/ref=pe_3421_10365311_pe_snp_75X (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/071122675X/ref=pe_3421_10365311_pe_snp_75X)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 27, 2008, 08:24:36 PM
Not 'fae' Scotland Mark, as that would indicate they originated here.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on April 27, 2008, 11:15:34 PM
Oh yes sorry I forgot
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on June 18, 2008, 07:30:25 PM
Bleeding Hearts, Corydalis and their Relatives

The earlier 'Corydalis' book now appears to be out of print but Magnus Liden and Henrik Zetterlund have brought out an up to date book on the same subject. Claimed to be the first guide to Dicentra (?) the book gives a detailed description of the plants in the genus Dicentra, Corydalis, Fumaria, Rupicapnos etc. There is the usual section on cultivation and a very useful identification key to the different Genera.

The book has just become available in the UK and at £22:50 to members (£25 RRP) and is well worth considering. Magnus was at the Botanic Garden celebration at the W/E with a copy and this was admired by members.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on June 18, 2008, 08:35:14 PM
Liden and Zetterlund's original monograph on Corydalis is available on ABE Books for £24 plus £3.35 postage and packing. A search on the keyword 'Corydalis' will find it as well as other treasures!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on June 18, 2008, 10:06:06 PM
But does it have pictures?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Susan Band on June 19, 2008, 07:19:24 AM
Yes, loads, but doesn't include much about the non-tuberous corydalis that have been recently brought into cultivation from China. The new book looks as if it addresses this, great since some of these plants are really garden worthy and need to be properly identified. Here is a pic of the newly described Corydalis panda - not to be confused by Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda' or 'Gold Panda'
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carlo on June 19, 2008, 11:39:03 AM
Nice looking plant Susan. How's it hold up in the garden? Do you have enough experience with it to judge?

I'll have to check the book out. If it's relatively up to date with the new material, it'll be a welcome addition to the library...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: art600 on June 19, 2008, 12:04:30 PM
Liden and Zetterlund's original monograph on Corydalis is available on ABE Books for £24 plus £3.35 postage and packing. A search on the keyword 'Corydalis' will find it as well as other treasures!

On the AGS Sale Books, there is @Corydalis - A Gardener's Guide' for £4.95

Is this the same book?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Susan Band on June 19, 2008, 12:04:48 PM
Carlo,
It is one of the best plants I have seen in a long time. I have had it for about 6 years and although each individual plant doesn't seem to last long I always have self sown seedlings. It doesn't like drying out at all, so not for everyone. The only problem is propagation. It doesn't divide in to many plants and as you probally know Corydalis seed does not germinate readily from stored seed.

Its the kind of plant you will see everywhere if someone cracks the propagation otherwise the onlyway will be to beg a piece from a friend.

Susan
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carlo on June 19, 2008, 12:08:24 PM
Glad to hear it's a "doer"...it's always nice to have a new blue in the garden...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Diane Clement on June 19, 2008, 12:45:23 PM
On the AGS Sale Books, there is @Corydalis - A Gardener's Guide' for £4.95  Is this the same book?

It is the same book, but it's showing up for me as £9.95 members price
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: art600 on June 19, 2008, 12:54:40 PM
On the AGS Sale Books, there is @Corydalis - A Gardener's Guide' for £4.95  Is this the same book?

It is the same book, but it's showing up for me as £9.95 members price

Diane
It is in Alpinews received today.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on June 19, 2008, 07:22:03 PM
At either £4.95 or £9.95 it's a snip. 'Bleeding Hearts,Corydalis and their Relatives' is available for £11.95 plus £2.95 p/p see http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?kn=Corydalis&sortby=3&sts=t&x=47&y=10
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: yijiawang on July 09, 2008, 02:36:29 PM
Page : 221
Weight: 1.5kg
Price : 45US$
Shipping fees(Express deliver from China to UK): 30US$
discount for 5 books per order: 10%
Shipping fees(Express deliver from China to UK): 90US$ for 5books per order)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Joakim B on July 09, 2008, 04:25:12 PM
There was a long (and positive) review of this book in latest number of Orchids and it was mostly positive.
It sounds interesting something for the club? Since it is not sold by Amazon and the likes!?
Maybe AOS american orchid society sells it but I was not able to find anything from their webpage.
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on July 09, 2008, 05:06:49 PM
Book available:
http://hengduanbiotech.com/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Joakim B on July 09, 2008, 05:34:57 PM
Giles it is not so much of a threat to SRGC:s bookshop since it is in China and shipping will be expensive.
RTW I have trouble scrolling to see all that is written on a page and that is a pittty since the pics of mother plants of the Cyps is below the limit.
Kind regards
Joakim
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 09, 2008, 06:50:03 PM
I truly enjoy a good book and have a selection to recommend to you.

Plantsman's Paradise - Travels in China by Roy Lancaster

Reissued almost 20 years after being first published this book has stood the test of time, giving  a very readable account of Roy Lancaster’s many journeys in China, and his infectiously enthusiastic descriptions of the interesting plants he encountered there. The original black and white photographs have been replaced by 1,000 of the author’s own colour photographs. This is quite simply an outstanding book, an absolute must-have, a true magnus opus.
[Plantsman’s Paradise – Travels in China, Roy Lancaster, Garden Art Press, 2008, HB, 511pp, £39.99, ISBN: 978-1-85149-515-3]


Frank Kingdon Ward's Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges edited by  Kenneth Cox

Frank Kingdon Ward explored the Tsangpo Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world carrying Tibet’s Yarlong Tsangpo river in 1924 – ’25. Kenneth Cox, Kenneth Storm Jn. and Ian Baker spent ten years retracing the route of this expedition and this book recounts these adventures with accounts of the country, the people, the plants and animals found there. The original Frank Kingdon Ward text is complimented by the additional material added in this book and includes a foreword by his widow, Jean Rasmussen, and a brief biography of Kingdon Ward. The accounts of the later expeditions are very well illustrated with colour photographs and include notes on the history of exploration in the area, its geography and geology as well as present threats to the habitat. This is another outstanding book. [Frank Kingdon Ward’s Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges, edited by Kenneth Cox, Garden Art Press, 2008, HB, 335pp, £35, ISBN: 978-1-8519-516-0]


Seeds of Adventure - In Search of Plants by Peter Cox and Peter Hutchinson.

Peter Cox and Peter Hutchinson have made extensive travels in search of hardy plants and this book sixteen of those journeys, among them the Himalaya, western China and Turkey and regularly to places no other western plant hunters had ventured since the likes of Frank Kingdon Ward. As might be expected from a member of the Cox family, there is a strong interest in rhododendrons, many new or lost in cultivation. With over 700 colour photographs this is a book for the plant enthusiast and the armchair traveller. It is an outstanding, informative and very enjoyable book. [Seeds of Adventure – In Search of Plants, Peter Cox & Peter Hutchinson, Garden Art Press, 2008, HB, 415pp, £35, ISBN: 978-1-870673-58-7]

The Gardens of Russell Page by Marina Schinz & Gabrielle Zuylan

After Russell Page’s death Marina Schinz and Gabrielle van Zuylen, both friends and enthusiastic admirers of Page, decided that they would attempt to preserve and document what remained of his work. Gardens can vanish, change completely or fall into disrepair so very easily and they felt that the legacy of a great man could be lost. This book certainly fulfilled their brief. It is an outstanding testimony to the genius of Russell Page, essentially a book of brilliant photographs with sufficient text to outline the background to each garden and the development of Page’s style and approach over the years. It is a brilliant, outstanding, inspiring and beautiful book. [The Gardens of Russell Page, Marina Schinz & Gabrielle van Zuylen, Frances Lincoln, 2008, HB,         255pp, £35, ISBN: 13:978-0-7112-2694-4]


The Magic of Monet's Garden, His Planting Plans and Colour Harmonies by Derek Fell

And finally, and very briefly, here is a most enjoyable book on a garden of great beauty. Claude Money believed he was good at only two things, “painting and gardening” and in his garden at Giverny he painted with plants and flowers. The author discusses this work of art, Monet’s approaches to this work and how it can be replicated on a smaller scale in our own gardens. I adored this book! [The Magic of Monet’s Garden, His Planting Plans and Colour Harmonies, Derek Fell, Frances Lincoln, 2008,HB, 160pp, £25, ISBN: 978-0-7112-2737-8]



I expect the first three will certainly be available throught the SRGC at competitive prices and they are certainly worth having.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: yijiawang on July 10, 2008, 02:30:27 AM
Please check attachment for price detail.

this is detail of book:
Size: 210mm×285mm
number of Picture: 427
first edition: Aug,2007
number of book:1000
ISBN:978-7-5410-3346-9

Orchids of Huanglong
黄龙兰花
Language: Chinese and English bilingual
Author: Holger Perner and Yibo Luo
Number of Pages: 221 pages with color photos Binding: Paperback
Subject(s): Flowers

【Introduction】
Huanglong is entitled a “Haven for Plants”. Within its rich plant resources the orchids of Huanglong play an important role in conservation and have also a value for the development of sustainable uses like biotechnological mass-propagation. Orchids have unique forms and fragrances. Orchids are extolled as the “Aristocrats of Flowers” and are said to have “royal fragrances”. They are admired by famous as well as common people at all times and in all countries. In 1975 orchids were listed in the appendix for protected species of the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” (CITES).
This book is the first popular account of this rich orchid flora. This book offers you the research outcome in a way of multi directions, systematicness and forward looking. It has an important value on protection and development of orchid resources in Huanglong.

【Main Contents】

01. Preface
02. Foreword Phillip
03. Introduction
04. Acknowledge
05. The Huanglong National Park
06. Early Botanic Explorations in Huanglong
07. A Short Introduction into the Taxonomy of Orchids
08. Phylogenetic Order of the Orchids of Huanglong
09. The Orchid Species from A-Z
10. Literature
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on August 04, 2008, 01:54:55 PM
Came across a website that offers a wide selection of new and second-hand plant books and interestingly for continental members they have books in a range of european languages.

www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk (http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk)

There is also an extensive selection on southern african flora.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 04, 2008, 02:13:08 PM
An interesing site, Frazer, many thanks.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on August 05, 2008, 09:47:15 PM

PRICE COMPARISON
Don't know if this has been mentioned before but there is a good price comparison site (also covers continental Europe and US) called BookButler   http://us.bookbutler.com/  (http://us.bookbutler.com/)

For interest I typed in a search for ALPINE PLANTS - Ecology for Gardeners by John Good and David Millward. The site identified 2 editions (Batsford Edition printed Apr 2007 and Timber Press Edition printed May 2007). A large number of booksellers held stocks of both books and prices (inclusive of post and packing to UK destination) ranged from £12.75 to £25 - the cheapest Timber Press edition was £15.03.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on August 24, 2008, 08:25:03 PM
A couple of interesting books have been recently published which will prove of interest to Scottish Rock Gardeners:

The Flora of Rum (ISBN 978-0-9538111-3-7) Pearman et al. 480pp maps and colour plates. Privately published . Available from www.summerfieldbooks.com (http://www.summerfieldbooks.com) £25 hbk

British Alpine Hawkweeds. A monograph of British Hieracium section Alpina Tennant & Rich. BSBI 2008 234pp, colour paintings, photos, drawings and maps. The book covers 39 taxa (34 species plus forms). Available from www.summerfieldbooks.com (http://www.summerfieldbooks.com)£25 pbk or £35 hbk. (To whet the appetite one of my own shots of a native hawkweed).

Both books have been highly praised in the specialist press.


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on August 24, 2008, 11:04:36 PM
Franz,

Sounds like a good book. They certainly are the most bothersome plants to identify.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Oron Peri on August 30, 2008, 01:04:26 PM
I am looking for a copy of The Crocus by B. Mathew for sometime now.

Prices i have seen so far are really high, even on eBay. any idea where i can find a copy at a reasonable price.
Thank's
oron
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on August 30, 2008, 08:23:10 PM
I am looking for a copy of The Crocus by B. Mathew for sometime now.

Prices i have seen so far are really high, even on eBay. any idea where i can find a copy at a reasonable price.
Thank's
oron

Oron, if you ever find a copy at a reasonable price I would strongly advise you to keep the details to yourself. At least 50 members of this Forum would willingly commit murder to get their hands on a copy :o

I look at the Internet based book sites at least once each week, and wherever I go where there is a second hand book shop I browse the shelves.

The cheapest copy I have found today is on Abe Books Site at approx. £95 including postage and packing (approx. 620 Shekels)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ChrisB on August 30, 2008, 11:20:19 PM
Surely a case for reprint then....
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Oron Peri on August 31, 2008, 05:40:00 AM


Oron, if you ever find a copy at a reasonable price I would strongly advise you to keep the details to yourself. At least 50 members of this Forum would willingly commit murder to get their hands on a copy :o

David, I knew that i am risking to become addicted to this forum, what I didn't know is that I have to watch my back too.... ;)

At the moment there is one copy of the book on eBay, they ask for it 295$us + shipping, it is a pity that there isn't a way to reprint this book, even in a small edition.
Maybe the srgc and other groups should try working on that...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on September 09, 2008, 06:09:46 PM
SAXIFRAGES - MALCOLM McGREGOR

It's here, delivered today and still warm from the presses! A definitive guide for those of us who are serious about our saxes.
Members price £31:50 (RRP £35).
They are ready for sending out but I will be in Orkney next week.
They will also be available at Discussion Weekend and the AGM.
Title: The Tsangpo Gorges, was Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Rodger Whitlock on September 23, 2008, 09:58:23 PM
Google maps includes both a "terrain" view and satellite imagery of the Tsangpo River as it winds its way around Chomolhari. The "terrain" view unfortunately does not indicate water courses very well, but by zooming in on the satellite imagery, you can gradually pick out the exact route of the river. An exercise well worth carrying out by anyone interested in the history of Himalayan exploration.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on September 24, 2008, 05:35:14 PM
Rodger,

Glad to see your interest in Roy Lancaster's book. It is indeed outstanding and it was such a delight to have it updated and republished.


SAXIFRAGES - MALCOLM McGREGOR

David Shaw mentioned the arrival of this book a fortnight ago. I have just received a copy and, though I haven't read it yet, am very impressed by the layout, photographs and quality of the text. It appears to be an excellent book and certainly seems likely to increase my interest in saxifrages.

And, of interest, Malcolm McGregor was editor of the Scottish Rock Garden Club journal for several years and so is likely to be known by many of the Scottish forumists.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on October 28, 2008, 07:58:18 PM
Just noticed the following book when browsing this Site

http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/Plant%20Hunting.htm?Books=G

Apparantly published by the SRGC in 1935 and written by Cooper, Curle and Fair  'George Forest VMH: Explorer and Botanist Who By His Discoveries and Plants Successfully Introduced Has Greatly Enriched Our Gardens 1873-1932'

That's one hell of a title!

Price £20 plus £3.75 post and packing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 28, 2008, 08:15:47 PM
Interesting, David.... Curle was A. O. Curle   C.V.O., L.L.D.,
Cooper was R.E. Coooper  F.R.S.E.    ... dont' know who Fair was.... will research... :-\

First two have trophies awarded at the shows named for them, notably the R.E. Cooper Bhutan Drinking Cup... awarded for best  asiatic primula in Edinburgh show.....  it's a strange little thing, was given to Cooper by a Maharajah, I think!!    A.O. Curle memorial  Trophy is also awarded at Edinburgh show for winner of the three pans /grown from seed class. It, if I remember correctly, is a pretty heaviy embossed silver dish/platter.
Dear me, I  AM a mine of odd facts...... frighten myself sometimes!
  :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 28, 2008, 08:35:17 PM
Hmm... I can find nothing about W.S. Fair, other than the fact that he was one of three  members of the editorial committee( with Curle and Cooper) who arranged the publication of the book in 1935. I have the 1973 reprint of the book in front of me now..... interesting to see, given the 2008 prices of 20 to 25 pounds for the book that in 1973 it could be had for £1.25 or $3.25 !!!! Rather different from the Sterling/USdollar exchange rate we see today.... less than $1.45 to the pound at the minute, eh? Yikes!
By the way.... price in 1973 included post and packing!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on October 28, 2008, 09:13:24 PM
I think it's inflation Maggi ???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on October 28, 2008, 10:45:34 PM
That is a good reason to read this book once again. Good format to keep it near the bedside  ;D
As it is with so many books, you buy them, read the interesting parts of them or the whole
book, which with garden books is not always the case and put them on the bookshelf.
Most are used for references.
I almost totally forgot I have this book. Bought many years ago for 10 guilders, which at that
time was equivalent to 3 £, which was (now I realize) a bargain for the original of 1935. :D :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcenery on October 29, 2008, 09:47:32 AM
Our local Birmingham group of the AGS was recently fortunate to have a talk given by Brian Mathew, absolutely excellent by the way. I asked him whether there were any plans to reprint The Crocus monograph as I didn't want to pay in excesss of £150 to get a copy. He said that he wouldnt make promises but it was on the list, but not soon - I think Margaret was listening. He also said that he wished he had kept a few copies back to supplement his pension
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 02, 2008, 11:46:50 AM

At £150 that Crocus monograph copy is a comparative bargain: Amazon is offering a used copy at £270!!!

On the subject of Brian Mathew I puchased recently a copy of Flowering Bulbs for the Garden published as part of the series of Kew Gardening guides for just 20p from a library sale and after some rootling in a second-hand bookshop I unearthed Growing Bulbs - The Complete Practical Guide for £3.25. There is a high degree of overlap in content however both will be referred to over coming months and years and for such a relatively minimal outlay must be considered to be genuine bargains.

I also managed to get a copy (complete with dust-jacket) of Bowles' A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum for £2.50. I haven't yet consumed the contents but the tasty figure on page 57 showing clearly the parts of and differences between crocus and colchicum was worth, to this novice of bulbs and corms, the purchase price alone.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 02, 2008, 12:47:44 PM

At £150 that Crocus monograph copy is a comparative bargain: Amazon is offering a used copy at £270!!!

On the subject of Brian Mathew I puchased recently a copy of Flowering Bulbs for the Garden published as part of the series of Kew Gardening guides for just 20p from a library sale and after some rootling in a second-hand bookshop I unearthed Growing Bulbs - The Complete Practical Guide for £3.25. There is a high degree of overlap in content however both will be referred to over coming months and years and for such a relatively minimal outlay must be considered to be genuine bargains.

I also managed to get a copy (complete with dust-jacket) of Bowles' A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum for £2.50. I haven't yet consumed the contents but the tasty figure on page 57 showing clearly the parts of and differences between crocus and colchicum was worth, to this novice of bulbs and corms, the purchase price alone.



My second-hand copy of Brian Mathew's  'Growing Bulbs-The Complete Practical Guide' cost me £6 and I make a lot of use of it so £3.25 was an absolute snip. I think I have the edge though with Bowles' 'A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum'. My copy is a Garden Book Club edition from 1955 and cost me the princely sum of 50p! Now if only some novice second-hand book seller had a copy of The Crocus.................. ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcenery on November 02, 2008, 07:45:03 PM

At £150 that Crocus monograph copy is a comparative bargain: Amazon is offering a used copy at £270!!!

On the subject of Brian Mathew I puchased recently a copy of Flowering Bulbs for the Garden published as part of the series of Kew Gardening guides for just 20p from a library sale and after some rootling in a second-hand bookshop I unearthed Growing Bulbs - The Complete Practical Guide for £3.25. There is a high degree of overlap in content however both will be referred to over coming months and years and for such a relatively minimal outlay must be considered to be genuine bargains.

I also managed to get a copy (complete with dust-jacket) of Bowles' A Handbook of Crocus and Colchicum for £2.50. I haven't yet consumed the contents but the tasty figure on page 57 showing clearly the parts of and differences between crocus and colchicum was worth, to this novice of bulbs and corms, the purchase price alone.



I have both  of these but unfortunately Mathews book does not provide a key for Crocus. Bowles gives some but many species are missing and old names are used.

An enjoyeable book which still seems cheap is EA Bowles my garden in spring. Bowles certainly did a lot of plant hunting and had good contacts
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on November 02, 2008, 08:20:48 PM
Mathew/Crocus for £150 is a bargain. The alternative makes one's eyes water (Maw/Crocus £2,000) !!!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 09, 2008, 02:26:33 PM
There are a number of other good publications that can be purchased for a snip and are usually to be found in charity or second-hand bookshops.

A quick, random review of my library has drawn out Mountain Flowers by Raven and Walters. This 1984 limpback is a reissue of the 1965 reprint of the original 1956 edition (No 33 of the New Naturalist Library). Though the photographs are in black and white the remaining material is original - and still of value today. I think I paid £1.50. I've seen many copies available across the UK. Of my favoured books, with which I would not want to be without, is G.F Gardiner's Pictorial Plant Propagation. This 1956 Garden Book Club edition is comprehensive (aside from micro-propagation) and explains matters in a succinct and readily accessible manner. It is probably the best 50 pence investment, aside from my wife's wedding ring, I've made. A recent purchase this past month is Plant Hunting in Nepal by Roy Lancaster. The 1983 reprint, for, I think, the NZ and Australian market, is readily available because it was quickly remaindered, as the colour photographs were printed upside down. The text is fine, and can be read in both the northern and southern hemispheres- and though I had read it many years before I never tire of Roy's easy, yet informative, prose. Copies are usually from about £1- 4.50.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on November 16, 2008, 05:45:56 PM
A recent purchase this past month is Plant Hunting in Nepal by Roy Lancaster. The 1983 reprint, for, I think, the NZ and Australian market, is readily available because it was quickly remaindered, as the colour photographs were printed upside down.
Did they do this intentionally for the Southern Hemisphere market?? ;)
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on November 16, 2008, 05:55:12 PM
Did they do this intentionally for the Southern Hemisphere market?? ;)

I think so.  Ribbon ads around the pitch at Croke Park in Dublin were also upside down for the Ireland v All Blacks match yesterday ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on November 28, 2008, 07:47:24 PM
Trees for all Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates
by Sean Hogan. Timber Press. £25.
I came across this today, just published I would imagine, and couldn't resist it.
Definitely a book for the discerning plant fanatic. It coves a wide range of evergreen trees and shrubs.
Many of my favourite plants are covered, such as Ilicium, Drimys, Crinodendron and Arctostaphylos and alot of interesting looking plants I've never come across before. A range of more common plants are covered such as Ceanothus and Magnolia.
It was obviously written for the American market and covers some plants which one would struggle with even in the South of England, such as Citrus and Banksia, and there are quite a few omissions such as Rhododendron.
Although cold hardiness is given as a minimum temperature tolerance, some plants which are labelled as 'hardy' we would struggle with, with our
unpredictable/fluctuating Winter and Spring weather (how often has your Eucryphia been damaged by a late frost).
Probably one to look at in the shops first, before rushing out and ordering 'blind', but it covers a useful range of plants.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on November 29, 2008, 06:35:07 PM
I will get a copy and have it at the shows next year. RRP £25, Members Price £22-50. If you want me to get you a copy, blind, then just contact me. Usual conditions as per Secretaries Pages.

This book is a recent publication from Timber Press. I had seen the blurb as I do my regular visits to book web sites and had decided that it was not a book that members (based on my own feelings) would be interested in. However, here is a member, Giles, suggesting it.

 I would be quite happy to hear about other new books that I might have passed over but you think might be relevant for me to trial for members. After all, that is what the SRGC Publications manager is here for.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on November 29, 2008, 07:24:42 PM
I am most flattered David!!!
It's a nice book. Alot will depend on one's local microclimate.
I was surprised at some of the 'tender' plants they grew, even in a more 'Eastern Garden' like Kildrummy.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 29, 2008, 07:47:39 PM
David, while it is admirable that you want to be as helpful as possible to SRGC Members, the harsh reality of modern life is that those who may best benefit from the SRGC booklist are those without any access to the internet, and for those folks, the number who may want to purchase a book on trees is, I fear, likely to be rather limited.
For those of us who are reading this forum and are interested in this book, the chances to buy it at a much more favourable price are just too tempting, I think. A brief search found these:

https://secure.tesco.com/books/browse.aspx?N=525+25+12&Ne=689

Trees for All Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates    £17.50
Author: Sean Hogan
Format: Hardback
Published: 15 November 2008
Availability: Normally dispatched within 1 working day.

and...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0881926744/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227987553&sr=1-1
Trees for All Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates by Sean Hogan (Hardcover - 15 Nov 2008)
Buy new:(rrp  £25.00 )  £18.42
26 Used & new from £14.89
Usually dispatched within 10 to 13 days


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 29, 2008, 08:02:46 PM
.......... and £16.03 plus £2.50 p@p at

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=Hogan&bt.x=23&bt.y=12&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=Trees+for+all+Seasons
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on November 30, 2008, 06:14:46 PM
Maggi

I think the thrust of David's post was to ask other forum members to flag up new books they had spotted which he might not have (particularly as he is busy building us a new kitchen right now). We are both well aware that, though not gardening books. Fortunately there are enough members who do not have access to the web or prefer not to order via the web that the publications side ticks over. We get regular orders from overseas members, I can only assume that, for example, amazon.au does not carry the titles or does not offer the rock bottom prices that amazon.co.uk or .com does.

As someone who's 'day job' is as part of a small publishing company I have to say I personally wish that the agreement whereby a book could only be sold at its rrp still existed. In most of Europe this is still the case and the publishers fare better because of this. AND I respect the fact that each and every one of us has the right to choose where we buy what!  ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 03, 2008, 02:11:49 PM
Growing Bulbs Indoors by Peter J M Knippels published by A A Belkema/Rotterdam/Brookfield 1999.

This book is now out of print but after a long search I found it on Keith's Plant Books Web Site although a search today didn't find it. http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/default.aspx?Books=G

I first found out about the book when reading Manning, Goldblatt and Snijman's Colour Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs. For anyone interested in trying some of the South African and North and South American species it is ideal. There are sections on the main growing ares, a good general chapter on cultivation, and it deals in detail with a range of species from Achimenes through to Zephyranthes taking into account dormant periods, watering requirements, bulb planting levels etc. I have sometimes found it difficult to clarify whether a species was a Winter or a Summer grower and again this is well covered for all the species he deals with. If I have a grouse at all it might be that some of the ideal growing temperatures he mentions are a few degrees warmer than I can offer but in time he may well be proved right!

If you can find a copy it should prove an excellent buy.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on December 03, 2008, 07:21:47 PM
Quote
Growing Bulbs Indoors by Peter J M Knippels published by A A Belkema/Rotterdam/Brookfield 1999.
I am glad you really like the little book, David.
Though still find it very expensive. But this is mostly because the man was not able to find a cheaper publisher.
And so he only was able to invest in a smaller printing run.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 04, 2008, 02:22:24 PM
For those of you who like to keep your gardening in harmony with the Earth, I must tell you about this book....

In Tune With The Moon 2009.......see here:

http://www.findhornpress.com/ecology-nature-and-geomancy-14/in-tune-with-the-moon-2009-216.html

Our own Carol Shaw, who works with  the publishers, will be coming on, by phone, to the Beechgrove Potting Shed radio programme this coming Sunday 7th December, to tell s more about the book.
 I believe she and David have been following this holistic and natural method of gardening for a while..... must say, I had wondered what those rumours about dancing in the moonilght i the Forres area were about  ::) :-[ ;)

The programme is on Sunday at 12.05 to 1.00pm on BBC Radio Scotland  FM 92-95 ( only, not MW) or online at BBC.co.uk/radioscotland    ....listen live.....
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 04, 2008, 07:10:51 PM
When is Beechgrove on TV?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 04, 2008, 07:33:45 PM
Mark ,the Beechgrove Garden TV programme is off air for the winter at the moment. While we have at various times appeared on that programme and often provide fishbox troughs for the programme etc. I am referring to a BBC Scotland Radio Programme, the Beechgrove Potting Shed....which takes its name , as the TV programme does, from the fact that both originated at Beechgrove House, the BBC studios in Aberdeen.  Nowadays the TV programme is made by an independent production company at a six acre site some few miles out of Aberdeen. Two of the TV presenting team are regulars in the Potting Shed, as well, Jim McColl and SRGC member Carole Baxter.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on December 04, 2008, 09:58:02 PM
I hate you Maggi Young  ;) I am so not looking forward to Sunday... now you've let all the forum know I'm going to be on the programme! Findhorn Press is, for the 2nd year, bringing out a book on gardening with the Moon. Frieda has been looking for someone to talk to and, as we have not found anyone else, suggested I do! We have just barely started to learn what this means and I will probably sound like a right numpty on the programme! Oh well, I can wipe the egg off my face again :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2008, 11:39:19 AM
Just hope it's an organic egg, Carol!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on December 05, 2008, 12:15:04 PM
I would be in deep trouble it it weren't  :o
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 16, 2008, 04:48:08 PM
Gardens in Art by Lucia Impelluso published by J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles is for this Scottish Rocker one of the most interesting books read this year. I quote from the preface: " Often relegated to the background of a painting, the garden has generally played the role of decor to the main scene taking place in the foreground. But in fact the green microcosm has a life of its own, made up of symbols and meanings reflecting the tastes and aesthetics of successive centuries".

Over 350 beautifully illustrated pages, adorned with fabulous works of art, the book analyzes and deciphers the constituent elements of the garden. There are nine chapters, broadly arranged chronologically. The first 5 cover matters such as early gardens, Sacred and Profane Gardens, through to the 19th century, The Garden goes Public: the remaining 4 examine the different levels of symbolism that recur within the gardens styles reviewed in the first 5 chapters. The book provides a genuine education in appreciating the better art works - I was unaware, for instance, that the symbolism of lilies in a picture alludes not only to the love between Apollo and Hyacinth  but also evokes death, since Persophone was abducted by Hades as she stooped to pick up a lily.

I appreciate that the book might not appeal to everyone; but I realise that we rockers are a catholic bunch and I'm sure anyone with an interest in art or garden history or the importance of visual vocabulary will be smitten. It's a steal retailing for between £10-15 and handily it can fit in the pocket (albeit of a poacher's as the book weighs 1.5kilos).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2008, 06:46:21 PM
Haven't heard of this one Frazer and imagine I would enjoy it very much. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2008, 06:54:04 PM
This one was mentioned a little while ago. Paddy

“Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers” was recently published by Timber Press and has been the best instructional manual I have read to date though I must clarify immediately that this is instruction lightly delivered and easily digested. The author is a keen gardener and many of his photographs are taken in his own garden, like many of us I imagine, which makes his writing particularly relevant.

The book is in fact two books delivered in a parallel fashion and is very effective in the delivery of its message as a result. There is the main body of the book dealing with equipment, the techniques of taking macro photographs, the management of digital files etc. Parallel to this almost each page has a large photograph or two smaller ones and these are all accompanied by lengthy details of how and why each photograph was taken so that a great deal of information is given with each.

I found the book well organised and particularly well illustrated and recommend it to readers who have an interest in macro photography particularly that of flowers. [Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers, Alan L. Detrick, Timber Press, London, 2008, SB, 176pp, £17.99, ISBN-13:  978-0-88192-890-7]

Apologies that the front cover image below is in black and white as this was what was required for our local newsletter here and I had discarded the colour image.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 16, 2008, 07:08:11 PM
I agree with what Paddy has said about 'Macro Photography'.
So far I just read through it as a reading book. If I ever get this d**** kitchen finish then I intend to work my way through it again as a teaching aid.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2008, 07:12:13 PM
Snap!

David, we are up to our eyes doing up the kitchen at this moment also. Why must women always get this great burst of energy and urgency to have things done for Christmas - and all at the last minute. With me it's school Christmas concert (oh, what torture) during the day and kitchen at night.

Thank goodness for books.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 16, 2008, 07:40:37 PM
Is the book aimed at digital SLR users in particular or would it also be of use to digital camera users in general?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2008, 07:45:14 PM
David,

It is aimed at digital SLR camera users. The author uses a couple of Canon and with that exception I found his work excellent.

You ask if the book would be of use to digital camera users in general and I would say definitely yes. I would suggest it might prompt you to consider purchasing a digital SLR at some stage as you would appreciate the greater control of image capture which an SLR would give you, putting you in control of the photograph rather than the camera.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 16, 2008, 07:50:30 PM
Paddy, thanks for that. I've considered buying a digital SLR but I have no background at all in photography (never even owned a camera before buying my first digital compact about four years ago) and I would have too much to learn to use one effectively. I think I will stick to 'conventional' digital cameras.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 16, 2008, 07:56:45 PM
My first camera many moons ago was a SLR. I then went to digital compact and what I paid then would buy two Canon 450s today. I badly want to go back to an SLR again
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2008, 07:59:07 PM
David,

I wouldn't baulk at the idea of buying an SLR. Remember that it will also work completely in "Automatic" mode and you can branch out bit by bit to using the other options on the camera then.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 16, 2008, 08:02:12 PM
You have greater faith in my ability than I have Paddy. I have had my Fuji Finepix S5700 for over a year now and still haven't mastered any other function other than auto.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 16, 2008, 08:05:30 PM
You have greater faith in my ability than I have Paddy. I have had my Fuji Finepix S5700 for over a year now and still haven't mastered any other function other than auto.
Well, you say that, David, but you produce some super photos for us to enjoy here, so I'd be content, if I were you!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 16, 2008, 08:11:19 PM
Why thank you Maggi.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 17, 2008, 02:10:39 PM
Listen for the loud squelch as I put my foot right in it, again.
David, I thought we both had a digital SLR in the Fuji Finepix S5700 - yes/no?
Fuji describe it as a DSLR having a single 10x optical zoom lens (F3.5). Whilst the camera is at the lower end of the range it has all the facilities of a SLR even though it is an excellent camera in automatic mode.
I have wondered about an extra lens but haven't found anything compatible. I don't know if the camera requires one and, anyway, it is too early for me to seriously worry about this - I can't use the basic camera efficiently yet.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 17, 2008, 02:27:09 PM
Quote
I thought we both had a digital SLR in the Fuji Finepix S5700 - yes/no?

No, David S.... it's a compact digital, not an SLR   ;)
"The Fujifilm Finepix S5700 is an advanced digital compact camera featuring excellent optics, 7.1 megapixel resolution and ease-of-use. It gives you as much technical control as you want, while retaining automatic and program modes. "
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 17, 2008, 02:41:19 PM
David,

The "D" in "DSLR" indicates that it simulates through-the-lens viewing as one gets in an SLR. I used a similar Fuji up to a year or so ago and found it an excellent camera. Certainly the SLR has the advantage of being able to interchange lens and have a wide range of lens available even if they are expensive.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 17, 2008, 02:51:19 PM
OK, I stand corrected.
Splash!
I still like the camera though.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 17, 2008, 02:54:42 PM
Me too, one of these days I'll learn how to use the fiddly bits!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 23, 2008, 09:17:55 PM
On another thread, Maggi mentioned that 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens. I have just read a book published to mark the occasion and post a review below for your information.

Paddy

 “The Gardens at Kew” by Allen Paterson is the first major review of Kew by a former director of another botanic garden and is published to mark the 250th anniversary of the of the garden in 2009. Mr. Paterson was Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Ontario and is presently Distinguished Advisor to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He traces the development of Kew from private pleasure ground to tourist destination (1,000,000 visitors per year) and conservation organisation. Along the way we are given the stories of many people connected with the gardens over the centuries, royalty, scientists, gardeners and landscape designers along with artists and architects. The work of the Herbarium, Jodrell Laboratory and the Millenium Seed Bank are also covered. The story goes from the beginnings of the garden right up to the present day and also looks to the future.

As befits such an institution the book is a large one, large in the range of the material covered and large in format. It is generously illustrated with excellent photographs though I would have liked to have had the photographs of plants labelled more specifically, a small grumble on my part but not one which took from a very interesting book.

I have always enjoyed a visit to Kew Gardens and reading this book brought much of that pleasure back to me but, more importantly, will allow me to enjoy future visits in a far more appreciative and informed manner as this is, I suppose, a guide book extraordinaire. [The Gardens at Kew, Allen Paterson, Frances Lincoln, London, 2008, HB, 352pp, £25, ISBN: 13: 978-0-7112-2536-7]

Title: Re: Books you may NOT like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 08, 2009, 09:24:47 AM
 Has anyone received (free) 'Atlas of Creation' ? It has been distributed worldwide to schools and universities. Nice pictures but the text is mince. I mean, does anyone really believe the Pharaohs had helicopters and that there was no such thing as the Stoneage. ::) Clearly this guy has much more money than sense. Apart from the pretty pictures, these huge books would make excellent draught excluders, as both volumes equal the width of the average door and probably weigh just as much.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 08, 2009, 10:31:49 AM
Recommended by me is "Gods of the New Millennium". How did ancient civilisations build and cut stones so they match even if there is a bump on the rock? How did South Americans get huge bus sized rocks from one mountain, down the valley and up the other mountain? On a rock somewhere is a stick man with a space helmet. The Mayans had a 365 day year.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 08, 2009, 10:49:26 AM
The calendar was important to the Mayans so it was in their interest to calculate the year accurately. As for the rocks, no more difficult than organised team work. Regarding the space helmet. You see that because you associate it with a familiar object. It could just be a head adornment?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 04, 2009, 03:22:39 PM
I see 'The Book People' have left books in our staff room for people to order. One of them is "Garden Plants for Scotland" for a fiver. Not bad, considering the price on the cover is £25! 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on March 09, 2009, 06:28:54 PM
Kew Books are about to bring out a new guide to Rhododendrons. Due to keen marketing skills I have managed to gain a further discount on prices and can offer the book to members at £45 which compares very favourably with the RRP of £59 (from 1 May).
I am have some stock on order and am taking pre-paid orders for delivery in April, either to the shows ( hopefully Edinburgh, Perth or Aberdeen) or by post at 15% p&p. I hope to place a second order at discounted prices on 27 April if there is demand.
This book is not available on Amazon ;)

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on March 09, 2009, 08:02:10 PM
You will note that Kew Books itself is selling for £49 if you buy by 30 April... so David is offering a better deal than the actual publisher ;D I doubt that Amazon will actually go for this but as of now is certainly not available from them for pre-order.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 23, 2009, 07:57:09 PM
I thought readers might be interested in the following book review culled from the pages of the recent (Spring 2009) Edinburgh and Lothians Newsletter. The author is content for his/her article to be reproduced here.

Frazer

The English Florists’ Tulip   

Tucked away in the deep recesses of a second hand bookshop I chanced on a slim booklet entitled The English Florists’ Tulip which covers the history and cultivation of fancy tulips by the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society. Whilst I have never really favoured cultivated forms of tulips, finding them garish and their flowering period short-lived, I was intrigued by this booklet. Indeed, I was so enthused after reading that I was sorely tempted to fire off a cheque to join the society, if only to ensure its continuing existence as a living memorial of our horticultural (and social) history.

Within just 44 well-illustrated pages I learnt about the florists’ flowers of the 17th century – carnation, tulip, anemone and ranunculus – which were then joined in the 18th century by pinks (dianthus), auricular, polyanthus and hyacinths. I also became quickly immersed in the three types of tulip fancy flowers namely breeders, feathers and flames.

Breeder tulips, also called mother tulips, are unaffected by tulip virus and of solid colour and are generally crossed with those with a virus to throw marked flowers with either feathers or flames. Ideally the feathered tulip has markings which are confined to the edge of the petals and these markings can be of a separate colour or colours to the rest of the petal. Sometimes the markings can run towards the centre of the petal and are then known as “beard” markings. In addition to the feathered edge flames or flamed flowers have a bold, broad centre stripe on each petal. Though the flowers, particularly a heavily marked flame, may look bizarre they do have a mesmerising beauty. At competitive shows the flowers are placed singly (on their stems) within brown beer bottles and are judged in terms of form, purity and markings.

It was said during the 18th century by an eminent scientist (who shall remain nameless) that –
   “..these men cultivate a science peculiar to themselves, the mysteries of which are only known to the adepts. Nor can such knowledge be worth the attention of the botanist, wherefore, let no sound botanist ever enter into their societies”.

Well, that statement covers not only florists’ flowers: it is also applicable today to the showing of a wide range of plants at SRGC shows! Anyway let us leave the grumpy scientist to his own views and simply admire the dedication of folk that seek to strive what they consider perfection and in so doing give pleasure to themselves and others  and harm no-one. If you ever see a copy of the book buy it you won’t regret it!

Bookworm
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on March 23, 2009, 09:46:26 PM
Frazer,
.......and as if by magic.....
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on March 24, 2009, 12:36:22 PM
Bill Terry, the writer of this book is a recognised authority on meconopsis and heavily involved with the Meconopsis Group. He lives in British Columbia where he is doing research on seed propogation of mecs.
The book is not a monograph but more a discourse on the genus with practical sections on propogation and growing them. Evelyn Stevens has been involved with the writers work and she showed me a pre-publication copy of it at the Stirling show on Saturday.
The book was launched in Vancouver on Saturday so will be available in the UK in a few weeks time. I am making contact with the UK distributer and hope to be able to offer it to members. This is a new distribution company to us and so I will have to negotiate trade terms with them, however I would still expect to offer the usual 10% discount to members. If anyone is interested please contact me.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Carol Shaw on March 24, 2009, 07:17:09 PM
Have to say I looked at this and thought it was a great book... the only disappointment is that they've printed on a matt paper so the mec. pix are not as good as they would have been had it been printed on glossy paper. That said I expect we will buy a copy...


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on April 08, 2009, 12:45:47 PM
Hortus No 88 Winter 2008 p15-21
Hortus No 89 Spring 2009 p32-44
 - and with continuing articles.
'Hunting the Dog's Tooth : Erythroniums in the Garden and in the Wild'
Joan Loraine

Contact details:
http://www.hortus.co.uk/

It's chatty travelogue, not a scientific article nor horticultural advice.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on April 10, 2009, 05:54:44 PM
Looks like a new book on alpines is soon to be with us.
I can't make the link work, so try this,and click on 'forthcoming titles'.
Wilford and Rolfe doing a Kew Monograph. No 8. Alpines from Mountain to Garden.
http://www.kewbooks.com/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 10, 2009, 06:10:17 PM
Does this link work? http://www.kewbooks.com/asps/ForthcomingDetails.asp?id=798

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on April 10, 2009, 06:24:34 PM
 :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on April 10, 2009, 09:35:30 PM
I will be keeping an eye out for it but there is not enough information yet.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ruweiss on April 18, 2009, 09:02:39 PM
The Gesellschaft der Staudenfreunde ev. (German Perennial Society) published this book:
Gentiana, Gentians and related generas by Professor Dr. Juergen Matschke with 192 pages
and more than 200 colour photos. ISBN: 978-3-9808902-3-6, The price is 15 €.
I am just a hobby gardener, but must say, that I really like this book. It offers good advice
for cultivation and shows many species in good photos; also many which are new in cultivation.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on April 21, 2009, 09:14:23 PM
Wildwood - A Journey Through Trees by the late Roger Deakin. Penguin £8.99 Can$ 20  ISBN978-0-141-01001-4

This quite simply is my book of the year. It embodies the Reithian objectives of being educational (without being didactic), informative and importantly entertaining. The book reawakened my joy of reading, and sharing in the experiences of an other. At times, the prose is so enchanting that one has to put the book down to reflect in the moment. It is the embodiment of charm.

What could be better than a work in, on and of the ecology of life that is art, poetry, literature, culture and plants ......

As Roger Deakin says in the foreword:

A writer needs a strong passion to change things, not just to reflect or report them as they are. Mine is to promote a feeling for the importance of trees through a greater understanding of them, so that people don't just think of 'trees' as they mostly do now, but of each individual tree, and each kind of tree."

What comes through is not just a person, but a person of the best kind, and an individual.

A posthumous work Notes from Walnut Tree Farm has recently been published and which with the earlier Waterlog comprises a small yet significant canon - or rather delightful gifts.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on June 28, 2009, 05:07:27 PM
Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland - a field guide

This 848pp guide is to published on 31 Otober. It will be the most comprehensive fieldguide with hundreds of photographs and line-drawings. It will have a vinyl cver.

It is available at a special pre-publication price of £19.95 and can be ordered online using PayPal athttp://britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ (http://britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/). In November the price increase to £25 - save £5 and order soon!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on June 28, 2009, 06:42:20 PM
Worth a Read

“The Gardens of Wales” by Helena Atlee
“The Gardens of Wales” is a book I should have had several years ago when we took regular trips across the Irish Sea to visit Crug Farm and Aberconwy Nursery as well as Bodnant Gardens, Powis Castle and Plas Brondanw. The book should have been dropped into my lap with the Americanism, “You ain’t seen nothing yet”. Really, despite our regular visits, we had missed many of the great treasures of Wales – something which we shall have to set to rights before too long especially as Wales is so easily accessible to any of us living on the east coast with ferries from Dun Laoghaoire, Dublin and Rosslare.

Helena Atlee has already written well on “The Gardens of Portugal” and “Italian Gardens: A Cultural History” and her writing is both informative and pleasant to read. In this book she presents a most interesting range of gardens both large and small spread around Wales though there are two main collections, one in the north and another in the south, making them even more suitable for the ferry traveller from Ireland. While she has covered the better known gardens perfectly well, it was reading of the other gardens which I most enjoyed and, certainly, her writing would encourage me to seek them out in future visits to Wales. The photographs are an excellent accompaniment to the text and bring it to life. This is an excellent garden guide and one which will make a garden outing to Wales all the more certain of enjoyment. [The Gardens of Wales, Helena Atlee, Frances Lincoln, London, 2009, HB, 128pp, ISBN 978-0-7112-2882-5, £16.99]

The Tomato Book: A guide to the pleasures of choosing, growing and cooking by Gail Hartland and Sofia Larrinua-Claxton
This book is written by two enthusiasts, two lovers of tomatoes, of growing them and of eating them. They hold no claim to being experts other than having grown tomatoes for many years and having tried many, many different varieties. Over these years they have kept accurate notes on how each variety performed in cultivation, their taste and their suitability for culinary uses. It is simply an excellent book, a simple book indeed presenting its information in a user friendly way with no unnecessary frills or padding. After a short introduction the main part of the book describes a wide range of tomatoes gathered together in groups according to type: cherry, plum, standard globe, beefsteak etc. Cultivars are recommended for sauces and salsas, soups and salads. There is a section on cultivation in the garden or under protection, notes on possible pests and diseases and the book concludes with a selection of tasty recipes. After reading the book I have already identified a number of cultivars which I will try next year. The regulars, Alicante, Moneymaker, Gardener’s Delight and the like are all very fine but Black Krim, Cherokee Purple or Extra Sweetie might be next year’s crop. [The Tomato Book, Gail Hartland & Sofia Larrinua-Craxton, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2009, HB, 192pp, ISBN: 978-1-4053-4118-9,£12.99]   

The Gardens of Frank Lloyd-Wright by Derek Fell
Inevitably, the front cover of this book has a photograph of Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd-Wright’s most famous architectural project and, it has to be said, that he is certainly better known as an architect rather than as a landscape architect. However, on reading this book I am certainly enlightened and impressed by this aspect of his work and now realise that Frank Lloyd-Wright made a significant contribution to this area. As an aside, when asked by the owners to complete the work at Fallingwater and landscape the area around the house, he suggested that what was already provided by nature was sufficient and only added some native plantings to bulk up what was already there. This approach typifies his landscape work as he was ever conscious of the nature of the site and worked with it rather than attempt to change it while using native plants in his planting schemes. The book describes his work at his two homes, Taliesin, his summer home on a prairie hillside in Wisconsin and Taliesin West, his winter home in the Sonora Desert in Arizona. By way of information, Taliesin was an estate of some 3,000 acres and his landscape plans involved the purchase of houses and businesses within view of the house and removing them, the planting of thousands of trees – entire woods, in fact, the damming of streams to create lakes and even adopting methods of farming which best suited the design. A retelling of a conversation he had with his neighbour is both amusing and illustrative: Wright complained to him that his Guernsey cows were not producing enough cream and so his neighbour suggested he switch to Holsteins. Wright thought over the proposal for a moment and replied, “Jack, Holsteins are black and white. Black and white on green? No; black and white do not look good on green. Never bring anything black and white or red and white in the way of an animal in sight of my eyes – coffee and cream, which are the colour of my Guernseys, on green, are the three most restful colours you can find. That is why I have Guernseys, and why I want nothing but Guernseys.”

Given that his two homes are situated in very different areas and conditions the accounts of his work on both are contrasting and interesting. There are also reports on his work on other projects which widens the range and interest of the book. In all this is a most interesting book, well written and excellently illustrated by the author’s photographs. Personally, while I enjoyed the book immensely, I could not imagine myself enjoying Frank Lloyd-Wright’s company – just an impression I took from the book. [The Gardens of Frank Lloyd-Wright, Derek Fell, Frances Lincoln, London, 2009, HB, 160pp, ISBN: 978 0 7112 2967 9, £30] 

The Rose by David Austin
Have these two words, Rose and Austin, become synonymous in the past ten years or so? Certainly, David Austin has been the most prominent breeder of roses of late and his introductions have added greatly to our enjoyment of roses in the garden and has also made that enjoyment much more easy as he bred plants which were more resistant to pests and diseases while holding the beauty and scent of what we might call “old-fashioned” roses. It is to be expected then that when such a man writes on his specialist subject he would produce a book of the highest standard, well informed and well presented, and there is no disappointment in this regard. This is certainly an outstanding book and one which any rose enthusiast will enjoy greatly.

This is a substantial book which brings us through the history of the rose in the garden, the various classifications of the rose, to a treatment of roses in the garden and house with guidelines on their care and cultivation. It is an important point to make regarding this book that the book deals widely and in a fair representative manner with the rose. There is a danger that the author might give an unbalanced amount of attention to roses of his own breeding but this is not the case at all. No, this is an excellent and balanced general treatment of this most favourite and persistently loved garden plant. If you enjoy roses you will delight in this book. It is an outstanding treatment of the subject by an author who is not only an expert but also loves his subject. [The Rose, David Austin, Garden Art Press, Suffolk, 2009, HB, 352pp, ISBN: 978-1-870673-53-2, £39.50]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on June 30, 2009, 08:40:48 PM
As a follow up to Paddy's reviews you may be interested in a review of recent books on Welsh gardens or should that be gardens in Wales (including that mentioned by Paddy) by Stephen Lacey in the Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenstovisit/4943878/Gardens-of-Wales.html
  (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenstovisit/4943878/Gardens-of-Wales.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 30, 2009, 09:13:07 PM
This talk of gardens in Wales reminded me of a book I've been meaning to mention:
"Close: A Journey in Scotland " by Allan Pollok-Morris .
ISBN 978 0 9560338 0 2 Published by Northfield Print  ( www.northfieldprint.co.uk ) circa £20

This book is a record of the author's travels around many gardens of Scotland and is illustrated with many fine photographs ( taken by the author). Recorded are great  Scottish gardens, often, though by no means exclusively,  designed and created by Scots . An inspirational book, documenting some of the finest garden dsign you will see anywhere.... I make no apolgy for my favourite being the Aberdeen garden of a friend, Tom Smith, a magical place that never fails to delight.
The book is something of a " coffee-table" publication.... very beautiful to look at and certainly the smart sort of book to have to hand .... but I would like to own it, nonetheless..... I was only given a loan of a copy  :(

Writing this makes me realise we must visit Tom's garden again soon.... and take pictures for the forum!


See some of the photos from the book here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3539145/Close-A-Journey-in-Scotland.html
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on June 30, 2009, 09:24:43 PM
Abe Books delivers in G.B. incl. PP for ca. £ 13.50 !
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 01, 2009, 09:32:24 PM
Maggi,

I've also seen in the last few days mention of a book with a title along the lines of, "Scotland for Gardeners". I haven't chased it up and will probably let it pass.

Has anyone read Dan Hinkley's new book, "The Explorer's Garden, Shrubs and Vines from the four corners of the world"? This is a follow-up on his "The Explorer's Garden" which dealt with herbaceous plants, published ten years ago. This volume was meant to follow on quickly but, obviously, was delayed somewhat.

I'd like to hear other people's opinions on it. My own opinion is that he has missed the boat somewhat in that the plants which are the subject of the book are no longer the novelties they were when he collected them. Perhaps, with our proximity to Crug Farm we have had access to much of the plants he writes about whereas gardeners in North America may not have had the same access. Nonetheless, I am finding it an interesting, informative and pleasant read.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 01, 2009, 09:40:47 PM
Franz,

I've read Stephen Lacey's reviews of the two book. What caught my attention were the comments on Portmerion. I have to agree with Anderton's comments about this place. It certainly is not, in my view, a garden and an afternoon spent there was interesting simply because the place was so odd and quirky.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 01, 2009, 10:42:07 PM
Maggi,

I've also seen in the last few days mention of a book with a title along the lines of, "Scotland for Gardeners". I haven't chased it up and will probably let it pass.

Paddy

Paddy, the "Scotland for Gardeners" book is the latest venture from Ken Cox, with photos mostly by his brother, Ray.
 http://www.gardeningscotland.com/pdf/Glendoick%20Garden%20Centre.pdf
Ian got a copy but I haven't had much of a look at it yet.  It's a kind of giant list of gardens and nurseries  :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 01, 2009, 10:57:46 PM
Maggi,

That's the one. It's not one which is of immediate interest to me so I will let it pass.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 03, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
Another book of Scottish interest arrived by courier today: "Mary McMurtrie's Country Garden Flowers", published by Garden Art Press. I know someone mentioned, with delight, receiving some of Mary McMurtrie's paintings recently. Having glanced through the book, which contain, as might be imagined, numerous examples of her work, I can understand the attraction. She has a very gentle style and her paintings have a very attractive softness of finish to them which is very pleasing to the eye. 

I'll comment when I have it fully read. In the meantime it must join the queue of books to be read. I find I have to discipline myself in this manner as the temptation to read the latest received book so often leads to those previously received being neglected even forgotten about completely.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on July 03, 2009, 09:11:03 PM
Scottish Wild Plants: their history, ecology and conservation by Philip Lusby and Jenny Wright provides a comprehensive review of Scotland's rare and interesting species.

Published in association with the RBGE back in 2001 stocks have now been remaindere and can be obtained a the knock-down price of £2 from Book Bargain stores.

Though only 114 pages (with copious illustrations and photos) it packs in a great deal of information and I found myself learning a great deal about my native plants - which I must admit I'm guilty of ignoring in preference to exotics and yet they should hold my interest, such as Moneses uniflora the "One-flowered wintergreen" (alright I know it's circumpolar but nonetheless...).

Thanks Paddy for keeping us apprised of some great reads - I'm using your reviews to inform purchases (and haven't yet been disappointed - surely the mark of a good reviewer!).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 03, 2009, 11:06:21 PM
Franz,

Many thanks for your comments. I am reading Dan Hinkley's latest book at present: "The Explorer's Garden: Shrubs and Vines from the Four Corners of the World". I have no doubt you would enjoy it. It really does deal with a range of shrubs/small trees and climbers, many of which are new to us, which would be of interest in the garden.

The secret of my reviews: I only review books I have enjoyed reading!

Your Scottish Wild Plants is certainly a bargain. It is a fact of publishing life that gardening books are the most frequently remaindered. Publishing is really a big gamble. If there isn't immediate success (= sales) then the book is generally doomed.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on July 08, 2009, 12:49:14 PM
Due to a minor error affecting the quality of the colour plates, the publisher decided to reprint the last issue of Curtis's Botanical Magazine.
I therefore have a spare copy.
I attach the cover and contents page.
If someone would like it - send me your address and I'll post it to you.
Giles

ps A home has now been found for it.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 08, 2009, 01:14:58 PM
Kind offer, Giles, but nothing to interest me in it.
Many thanks,
Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 09, 2009, 07:48:57 AM
Kind offer, Giles, but nothing to interest me in it.
Many thanks,
Paddy
Plenty of interest to me but i wouldn't make you pay the extra postage! ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on July 27, 2009, 12:25:46 PM
HELLO, EIRE!
As Publications Manager I have just received an order for a book. The trouble is the purchaser has not given me a name or address. The only clue I have is that the envelope has a Republic of Ireland stamp.
On the slim chance that this person might be a Forum regular, would you like to get in touch with me with your contact details. I have the book in stock and will keep it aside for you.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 27, 2009, 07:45:28 PM
David,

If you've got the money, say nothing!

Paddy (It wasn't me)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Michael J Campbell on July 27, 2009, 08:16:47 PM
not me.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Arykana on August 06, 2009, 01:03:05 PM
Great pleasure, you all like to read! I wrote and have published a book and now wrting a new one  ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 05, 2009, 06:41:16 PM
A few books that might be of interest, only the first of which I've got my hands on:

1. New Trees: Recent Introductions to Cultivation. Grimshaw and Bayton.
Marketed as the 'update' on Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, but with a few caveats.
It's only 'trees' (not shrubs), and is for an audience wider than the UK. (Europe and N. America).
By the nature of the trees' 'newness' it lacks some of the reliable and practical aspects that Bean would cover, such as detailed advice about cultural conditions. No 'alpine' interest, I guess, and doesn't include Rhododendrons. Amazon are selling it for £93.50, but it is available cheaper for members
of certain societies (IDS;RHS Rhodo/Camellia/Mag Gp.) It will become a 'classic', I'm sure. I guess John Grimshaw might bring some to the AGS Conference for folk to look at. I think it's fantastic. Whether you want one, will probably depend on whether it covers particular genera you are interested in. I bought it for the Magnolias, but it has lots of other photographs to tempt you.

The next two I haven't seen yet, but will list, in the hope that one of you might be able to give us some information about them, as they might be of more
interest:



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 05, 2009, 06:44:41 PM
2. Mountain Flowers and Trees of Caucasia. Shetekauri and Jacoby. £26.59. (Amazon)
3. Wild Flowers of The Northern Highlands of Scotland. Butler and Crossan. £11.49. (Amazon)

If any of you have seen these - please tell us what you think.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on September 13, 2009, 09:49:59 PM
Notes from Walnut Tree Farmby Roger Deakin: Penguin UK£8.99 CAN$19.00 Henderson Rating 4.5/5
Drawn from notebooks from the last years of his life, this book, presented in diary format, presents Deakin's restless curiousity in nature and human life. His musings, for instance, as he watches an ant on his writing desk shall live long in my memory.

"I have a lost ant on my desk. It has been here for several days, wandering around in a baffled sort of way.....it's a restless soul, and no sooner has it arrived under the deep strip of shadow under the glasses case than it's off again, this time to the haven of an old copy of Sight and Sound, where, to my surprise, instead of burrowing under, it marches straight across an interview with the film director.....[and then a further page..].

"Just when I think I'll never see it again, up it pops, doodling its imaginery trail all over my desk. If I could somehow get it to walk through ink and trace its path, it might make some sense, some pattern even, but I doubt it. It is just a wandering ant, a damned soul, condemned to eternal exile on my desk, like Philoctetes... One of the few ants in the world whose natural enemy, the human, is actually concerned about its survival as an individual, except that the concept of individuality is completely alien to an ant."

This is a book that shares the wonder in the ordinary, asks us to appreciate the immediate, reappraises the common place and communicates all that and more in an infectious, life-affirming manner.

And, yes, there are sections about plants especially trees. The book is gentle, funny, uplifting, entertaining, informative and a stimulating read; it is already, and rightly so, a classic.

Frazer

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 13, 2009, 10:06:30 PM
Frazer,
I agree, this a delightful book.
Giles
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on September 13, 2009, 10:14:00 PM
A couple of other books recently finished and to which I'll perhaps return to in greater depth when time permits are

The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift, which receives a Henderson rating of 4.5/5. Bloomsbury £8.99.

The book tells a 20 year love affair with a garden and its local and natural environment at the Dower House, Morville, Shropshire. Mrs Swift is a writer of immense knowledge, charm and skill who has told the history of the garden and her subsequent development of that garden in the form of a medieval Book of Hours. This is garden writing at its lyrical best. It is always good to read about the development of a garden, however, good books on the subject are rare; I can only think of The Lasket by Sir Roy Strong that even comes close to the Morville Hours.

This is a book that a shall read and read again, indeed I have read some chapters a number of times in order to savour lines and reflect on the thoughts invoked by the writing.

Seed to seed by Nicholas Harberd has received numerous accolades. The New Scientist thought it a classic, even David Bellamy thought it a "botanical master piece". Again, published by Bloomsbury at £8.99, sadly it only recieves a rating from me of 2.5/5.

Yes, genetics and plant growth are interesting (or rather could be made interesting) but I don't know perhaps it is the abundance of acronyms GIA, DELLA, RGA etc. that left me cold. I felt at times I was back at school reading the great Russian novels where one had to remember which character was which because the names became no more than irritations in the prose: I like to stop and reflect on writing much more I think than stopping to re-read and then check the glossary (and make notes) and then conclude that what could be said could have been said more clearly without the internal language of genticists. Those of a more scientific bent will clearly derive more pleasure from the book than me.

Frazer
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 02, 2009, 09:11:11 PM
Just to advise that all gardening books at Border Books chain are currently half-price or less. The chain is in administration. I managed to snaffle some good bargains at lunch-time today from the central Glasgow store including David Anderton's tome on Welsh Gardens for a mere £7 (saving £13!).

The sad thing is that since the chains killed off the small bookshops and have subsequently succumbed to the internet themselves there will only be Waterstones available for perusing books (and at best its stock of horticultural books is poor - at least Borders contained a wider range).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Geebo on December 03, 2009, 09:27:40 PM
Anyone there who has some magazines of the RHS The Plantsman Years 2005 2006 2007 for sale I would very much like to here from.
Cheers,
Guy.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 03, 2009, 09:39:08 PM
Guy they are available to buy from the RHS. You can select what you want from contents of each
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Plantsman (http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Plantsman)
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Plantsman/2007-issues/March/url (http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Plantsman/2007-issues/March/url)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Geebo on December 05, 2009, 08:40:47 PM
Great news Mark,will cheque it out,
Thanks alot,

Guy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Geebo on December 05, 2009, 08:51:16 PM
The have 2007 08 09 available. I am looking also for 2005 and 06 also ???

Guy.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 05, 2009, 08:54:26 PM
try phoning them on Monday
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 15, 2009, 09:56:20 PM
I had front cover pictures for all the below but when I did a copy and paste they did not travel here. Edit: I've added images of the covers of the books below.

Tony O’Mahony has devoted a lifetime to studying the “Wildflowers of Cork City and County” and has been the outstanding worker in the field for this area. Here he presents the results of his work, a wonderfully encyclopaedic account the flora of the city and county.  After an introduction, which recalls the history of the recording of Cork’s flora, the author continues to describe the various habitats in his area and the plants found in each. This is not a guide to identification of plants but rather a guide to where one might find them in Cork City and county and, as such, should prove a most welcome book to the enthusiast. This book follows on extensive fieldwork and research and the findings are presented in a very accessible manner.  [Wildflowers of Cork City and County, Tony O’Mahony, Collins Press, Cork, 2009, HB, 438pp, €29.99, ISBN: 978-1-84889-020-6]

Another book of Irish interest, “Trees of Inspiration” is a remarkable work of research into the stories, history, folklore and legends of trees held sacred or of local importance throughout Ireland. Trees have held an important place in our society since Celtic times and were protected in varying degrees in the Brehon laws. Some trees marked  places of assembly, others places of devotion while others marked locations of societal or religious importance. While talk of Fairy Trees, Rag Trees or Mass Bushes might now sound very out of date, it is certainly not the case and devotion to these continues today.  This is a remarkable book, a work of deep research and a book which brings to us an area of Irish life in danger of being forgotten and lost. The book is illustrated with excellent photographs, good enough on their own to make the book enjoyable. [Trees of Inspiration, Christine Zucchelli, Collins Press, Cork, 2009, Paperback, 220pp, €24.99, ISBN: 9781-84889-013-8]

“Planting” by Diarmuid Gavin & Terence Conran is most definitely one which fits the “coffee-table book” description. Indeed, had it legs it could do service as the table itself. It is big, luxuriously illustrated with excellent photographs and it outlines the approach of the authors to designing and planning a planting scheme for the garden.  The treatment of the subject proceeds through Influence, Purpose, Structure, Colour, Season, Style and Conditions as it offers advice on the best plants for every situation while illustrating the ideas with photographs from great gardens around the world. Wonderfully produced and visually very pleasing. [Planting, Diarmuid Gavin & Terence Conran, Conran Octopus, London, 2009, HB, 272pp, £40, ISBN: 978-1-84091-529-7]

Now, here is a treasure! “The Great Chinese Gardens” is an outstanding book and one which I looked forward to reading and was not disappointed in the least. This was somewhat in the line of a drawing back of the bamboo curtain and, my goodness, what beauty and treasures lay behind. I found this book absolutely astonishing, utterly beautiful in its production and presentation and wonderfully interesting in its text. This is a choice book for anybody interested in gardening, giving an insight into the beauty of Chinese gardens which might be described as natural, intricate, subtle, refined, and spiritual, elaborate and, above all, as beautiful and this book shows all this so wonderfully well. [The Great Chinese Gardens, History, Concepts , Techniques, Fang Xiaofeng, CYPI Press, UK, 2009, HB, 260pp, ISBN: 978-0-9556057-7-2]


Oh, how I wish to visit this garden! “Ninfa” is a delight. Charles Quest-Ritson included a chapter on the gardens at Ninfa in a previous book and I was enthralled by it then so to see a full book devoted to the garden was a delight. In short: a medieval town was deserted and fell into disrepair to be uncovered and developed into a garden centuries later. The author gives an excellent history of the Caetani family from earliest days to the last in the line along with a detailed account of the development of the garden, its layout and planting right up to the present day when it is most certainly one of the garden treasures of the world. This is simply a gem of a garden and this book a wonderful testimony to its history and beauty. Fabulous photographs; excellent text. Simply outstanding! [Ninfa, Charles Quest-Ritson, Frances Lincoln, London, 2009, HB, 128pp, £25, ISBN: 9-780-7112-3047-7]

You may recall the television series, “Around the World in 80 Gardens” – this book, “Extraordinary Gardens of the World” is an offshoot of that programme.  While the programme was being made Monty Don and the camera crew also took many still photographs and Monty kept notes of the many beautiful gardens visited. This book is a product of those photographs and notes and that is, quite simply, what it is - photographs, excellent photographs, and notes on the many gardens visited. It is a pleasant book. The gardens are organised and grouped thematically: Personal, Spiritual, Natural, Botanical, Historical, Edible and Communal and this gives a little organisation to the book. The photographs are excellent and the text is personal, reflective, concise and insightful. Monty Don is an enthusiastic gardener and an enthusiastic lover of gardens and his joy he feels when visiting these wonderful gardens is evident throughout. Enjoyable! [Extraordinary Gardens of the World, Monty Don, Weidenfeld & Nicholson (Orion Books), London, 2009, HB, 272pp, €36, ISBN: 978-0-297-85638-2]

Valerie Easton, the author of “The New Low-Maintenance Garden” seeks to advise busy gardener on how to garden in a new way that saves time and resources without giving up their favourite plants or settling for a garden that lacks sophistication.  It is a response to the fact that there is a great interest in gardening but many people are short of time to engage with their gardens. Interesting, well-presented, good photographs, sensible ideas which we could all use. The author is a weekly columnist for the Pacific Northwest Magazine of The Seattle Times. [The New Low-Maintenance Garden, Valerie Easton, Timber Press, London, 2009, HB, 284pp, £20, ISBN: 978-0-88192-916-4]

When William Robinson first published “The Wild Garden” in 1870 it was a forceful challenge to the gardening style of the time and proposed a naturalistic approach to gardening. The book was republished repeatedly right through Robinson’s lifetime. Rick Darke considers William Robinson’s thoughts on gardening as relevant today as when first written and in his introductory essay outlines Robinson’s importance in the evolution of garden design and explains his relevance for today’s gardeners, designers and landscape professionals. Following Darke’s essay, William Robinson’s original “The Wild Garden” is reprinted in full. Rick Darke has previously written “The American Woodland Garden” (2002), where his thoughts were very in line with those expounded by William Robinson. He obviously admires and concurs with Robinson’s ideas and represents them well here. [The Wild Garden, Rick Darke/William Robinson, Timber Press, London, 2009, HB, 355pp. £20, ISBN: 978-0-88192-955-3]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on December 16, 2009, 12:59:22 PM
Thanks for this Paddy.  Interesting & timely.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 16, 2009, 02:43:19 PM
Ashley,

I'm not sure how interested you are in your local Cork flora but if you want a copy of Tony O'Mahony's book you are more than welcome to it. It is an excellent book but of local interest and so not going to be of ongoing interest to me. He really has put in the fieldwork and so the book is very comprehensive. I have been referring to a flora of Co. Waterford over the past year or so, one written recently, and simply from my own walks around my area I have found species not recorded in this book. Yet it received great praise when published. Tony O'Mahony's book, on the other hand, is a very thorough treatment of Co. Cork's flora. I can drop it in the post or pass it on to you at one of the Cork talks though I don't know what is coming up and I am not as free to travel with our son in an examination year at school and finishing at 9p.m. each evening. I missed Carl Wright's talk in Nov. and I would have loved to have been there. He has a fabulous garden.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on December 16, 2009, 02:50:03 PM
Very kind of you Paddy.  I'll send you a PM.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martinr on January 03, 2010, 04:20:59 PM
Here's a book I'm surprised hasn't made it to this thread yet.

Britain's Rare Flowers by Peter Marren and published, in papaerback, by A&C Black, London. ISBN 0-7136-7162-9

This was an impulse purchase from an AGS bookstall some time ago which I've read over the last year while sipping beer on the patio on the occasional warm evening and finally finished today sitting next to a hot radiator looking out at a very frozen, but almost snow free, garden.

This is a very readable account of the history and present state of rare plants in the British Flora. The style is relaxed and full of interesting and amusing anecdotes, more than a few conservation bungles and more besides. A must for your bookshelf.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 03, 2010, 05:28:06 PM
The Orchids of Ireland
Tom Curtis and Robert Thompson
http://www.nmni.com/um/Collections/CEDaR/Recording/ID-guides (http://www.nmni.com/um/Collections/CEDaR/Recording/ID-guides)

Ireland's Wild Orchids
Susan Sex and Brendan Sayers
http://www.orchidireland.ie/order.html (http://www.orchidireland.ie/order.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 03, 2010, 11:18:01 PM
I have some of Robert Thompson's books. Fabulous photography.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: jomowi on January 10, 2010, 04:30:59 PM
I do not think I nave noticed the following book mentioned, if it has Maggie please delete

It is rather selective in its coverage, mentioning for example Moneses uniflora and missing out the Pyrolas which live in similar habitats.  From my point of view covering some of the less spectacular plants such as sedges makes it less interesting.  The illustrations are good but at least one in the introduction is wrongly named (as "Fragrant Cherry" rather than Fragrant Orchid).  Names are given as the common names although the Latin names are also given.  I have mixed feelings about including grid references (one to 10 places) for some plant locations.  Plants are arranged by habitat and there is a chapter on the geology of the area. Despite its limitations the keen plant hunter will find it is an instructive and enjoyable read even at the full price of £14.99 although you can get it for much less. Details are in the picture


ISBN 978 1 841588322 Publisher Berlinn Ltd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 10, 2010, 06:57:23 PM
Brian,

As well as being of interest to those living in the area, it would also make an excellent guide for visitors. Sounds good - few such books don't have mistakes or omissions but it need not spoil the enjoyment of the book.

Many thanks for posting, Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on February 22, 2010, 10:13:45 AM
"I Flori Delle Alpi" (The Flowers of the Alps) by Franco Rasetti.
On Saturday a past Publications Manager gave me two copies of the above book that he had found in his loft! The book was published by Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei, Roma in 1980 and, at the time, was considered to be the European alpine flora of the day. As you might have guessed by now the text is in Italian but it is illustrated with 572 coloured photographs. Several members at Dunblane tell me that they bought, and enjoyed, the book when it first came out.
I am offering these two mint copies for £10 each plus postage and packing. For the UK this will mean a total cost of £16.
If anyone is interested please send me a pm so that we can arrange payment and dispatch.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 01, 2010, 10:05:06 PM
For UK and Irish interest:

Wildflowers of Cork City and County by Tony O'Mahony. This book is the product of field work since 1964! A book full of photos and over 1200 plant species and hybrids are covered. It can be obtained from The Collins Press, West Link Park, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork.

British Oaks - A Concise Guide by Micheal Taylor. Crowood Press. 237pp, colour-ilustrated. £25

Wych Elm edited by Max Colman RBGE 148pp colour-illustrated. £20. Available from RBGE - a great book which synthesises art and botany (-as an aside, is botany the work of a great artist?).  I love this sort of story: an individual tree is felled and becomes furniture, art, jewellery ...

Flowers of the Forest by Clive Chatters. Wildguides 246pp £25. A return to old style, literate botany in the New Forest.

Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland by British Lichen Society 1,046 pages!!! Illustrated. £70. The Lichenologists Koran/Bible.

The Fumatories of Britain and Ireland by Rosalind Murphy BSBI. 121 pp maps and ilustrations £12.50

Finally if anyone is interested in recording Orchids in the island of Ireland then log onto www.habitats.org.uk/orchidireland (http://www.habitats.org.uk/orchidireland), which is a 4 year, cross-border project.

Good reading

Frazer


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 05, 2010, 10:27:54 PM
Not books in this instance but bulletins from the Potomac Valley Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society........
Jim McKenney, their bulleting editor has posted this info on a couple of other sites and I thought you might find some interesting browse material in their archives.......

Jim offers a glimpse into their March issue and tells of the other  back issues available online........
 For the March taster, take a look here:

http://www.pvcnargs.org/image_page_for_march_2010_pvc_bu.htm

 Bulletins going back to July of 2005 can be viewed from the Bulletins page:

http://www.pvcnargs.org/Bulletins_PVC_NARGS.htm

 

There are loads of interesting images scattered through those bulletins.

Jim McKenney

Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS

Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org

 

Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org

 

 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on May 06, 2010, 09:07:16 AM
Anyone know what the status is for "Flowers of Western China" by Grey-Wilson et al., published by Kew?  It's one I had been looking forward to all last year, but it's no longer listed as a forthcoming title ???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on May 06, 2010, 02:10:40 PM
Are you sure that it was due to be published by Kew, Arisaema? I don't remember seeing it during my searches and I try to keep up to date with what is on the go.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on May 06, 2010, 02:21:51 PM
I am, I was checking the Kew Books web site regularly looking for updates. It still shows up on a Google search (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0h&oq=&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GUEA_enNO332NO332&q=%22flowers+of+western+china%22), but the web page was removed recently. NHBS still lists it (http://www.nhbs.com/flowers_of_western_china_tefno_163974.html&tab_tag=Review) as being due in 2009, and I seem to remember someone here in the forum mentioning having seen a printed draft?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on May 24, 2010, 05:33:15 PM
Gardens Illustrated: June 2010: Plant Profile 'Meconopsis', by Ian Christie.
8 pages. Fabulous photographs.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on July 03, 2010, 05:00:03 PM
Recent county floras published..

A Flora of Suffolk by Martin Sandford and Richard Fisk (548pp colour-illustrated) £40hbk.Cheques to Suffolk Flora fund 78 Murray Road, Ipswich IP3 9AQ

Flora of Hertfordshire by Trevor James (518pp colour illustrated) £45 Herts Natural History Society

Warwickshire's Wildflowers. The wildflowers, shrubs and trees of historic Warwickshire by Steven Falk. Hardback, 304pp with colour illustrations on nearly every page and a colour-coded checklist. Available from publisher Brewin Books.

also a mention of

Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland - a field guide by British Bryological Society (848pp colour-illustrated - 1400 photographs and keys. Book weighs 1.3kg) book comes with handy plastic wallet Only £24.95 Available from www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk (http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk)

Grasses of the British Isles. BSBI Handbook No 13 by T Cope and A Gray 612pp available from BSBI http://www.bsbi.org.uk/ (http://www.bsbi.org.uk/)



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on July 10, 2010, 08:17:50 PM
Taschenflora des Alpen-Wanderers by Ludwig and Professor C Schroter
1904. Albert Raustein, Zurich
Henderson Rating 4/5

Copies of this book which contains botanical notes in French, German and English can from time to time be seen in good second hand bookshops. The price tag is usually quite hefty because of the emblazoned cover. I was quite fortunate on an excursion to North Wales to pick up a copy at a snip (£4). I think it's worth it for the cover alone - the content is very good and the images are clear.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 11, 2010, 10:59:33 AM
Forumist Magnar Aspakar has a new book of portraits of some of his garden plants.
This "Frodig blanding" ('Luxurious Mix')  has only a sample of the 2000 or so plants he and his wife, Toril, grow in their Norwegian garden but will be delightful if the cover photo of the exquisite Eriopyhtum wallichii - one of my all time favourites- is anything to go by!
 
 See details here.....
http://magnar.aspaker.no/
The  book has 96 pages , all photos are from he Aspaker garden.
The book can be ordered by post  from Magnar at magnar@aspaker.no

Price with post and packing 230 Norewegian kroner (About £25)

Congratulations to Magnar on publishing this volume...... and Ian and I also wish every success to Göte  Svanholm in finding a publisher for his most excellent book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on October 11, 2010, 04:56:38 PM
There is a new Hosta book, Little Hostas, out now that features only miniature plants. Available from Amazon, Book Depository and other book stores
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 07, 2010, 08:58:27 PM
Mark - thanks for the tip on miniature hostas. My wife adores them (never leaves a Flower show without a least a couple of specimens) and is building up a collection, so this may suit the purposes for a present.

The following might contacts might prove useful:

http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/index.html (http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/index.html): this site provides books which can be read for free online. There are a number of alpine books.

Woodside books produce a quarterly catalogue of botanical books details from ann.gipps@btinternet.com



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on November 10, 2010, 04:32:32 PM
Alpines - from Mountain to Garden.
Richard Wilford
Published by Kew. £29

A large format book, which after an intro on alpine gardening, covers the world region by region, who plant hunted there, and what they found.
Interspersed with pages with more information on particular plants of interest.
Photographs of plants in their native habitat, and in cultivation. Some historical botanical illustrations too.
Not a 'how to grow alpines' book, more background reading for alpine gardeners.
Alot of very desirable plants covered, many I've never seen/heard of before.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 02, 2010, 05:02:04 PM
FOUR HEDGES by Clare Leighton
Little Toller Books www.dovecotepress.com (http://www.dovecotepress.com)
2010. 170pgs. 80 illustrations £10
Henderson Rating 4.6/5

Looking for a present? Then I well recommend this charming reprint of a 1935 classic written by one of Britain’s finest writers/wood-engravers. The book is artlessly written and beautifully illustrated with distinctive wood engravings. It is certainly one of my top reads this year. The introduction by Carol Klein (Gardeners World) was a revelation –

No matter how many people have read and will read this book everyone will feel that she is speaking directly to them, showing them the sweep of the reaper’s arm, helping them feel the weight of the apples, how the grass smelt, how cleggy the earth felt. There are moments of astonishment, deep joy and humour. Who wouldn’t identify with pulling off the gardening gloves, the better to get to grip with the soil, to feel it and love it, abandoning not just gloves but all inhibitions and restraint that deny the visceral experience of gardening. Without being subjected to any deliberate manifesto we are persuaded, we want to join the cause. We yearn to find in our own garden the wonder Clare elevates from the familiar.”

Art (or indeed poetry) and gardening seems to be in tune with our sensibilities and are so often intertwined (for example is not our own bulb expert also an accomplished artist?): this book is a fine example of such a confection.

Below the dust jacket (A Lapful of Windfalls) and an internal illustration…

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 02, 2010, 05:31:28 PM
The Laskett: the story of a garden by Roy Strong
Bantam Press www.booksattransworld.com (http://www.booksattransworld.com)
270 pgs  oodles of photographs and line drawings
£25
Henderson Rating 4.6/5

Another splendid read: the story of the creation of a modern formal garden in Herefordshire. Sir Roy has an engaging, conversational writing style as one is escorted around his (and his late wife’s) garden. Great stories enjoyably told, full of interesting facts and asides conveyed with ease and accessible scholarship. A real pleasure.

I do believe -possibly along with Kathleen Swift’s The Morville Hours (see earlier review) - that this book is the finest description of the creation of a garden yet written.

It is genuine shame that we do not see more of Sir Roy on the TV talking about gardens and gardening – it would be grand for a change to have a provocative, literate, informative yet entertaining presenter.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 05, 2010, 03:16:50 PM
One of the benefits of snow and ice is enforced domesticity and the chance to explore one's own library. So after a bracing walk (or trudge),its hot chocolate, Chopin and a good book.

And Garden Party by Sir Roy Strong certainly fits into that category. The book is a collection of 51 stimulating and entertaining short articles on gardens and gardening.

The afterword by A.N. Wilson provides a splendid summation:

" Sir Roy was blessed at birth, or the font, with the tongue of a ready writer. His prose is compulsive...like a glittering conversation with the best-informed and most charming of companions."

Technical details: 250 pgs. illustrations by Julia Trevelyan Oman.
Frances Lincoln Publications. £14.99 (but availalbe at amuch reduced prices almost anywhere). Henderson Rating 4.5/5.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 08, 2010, 11:48:45 AM
A book about bark that looks like it will be a good addition to a book collection
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bark-Intimate-Look-Worlds-Trees/dp/0711231370/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291804511&sr=1-1#_ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bark-Intimate-Look-Worlds-Trees/dp/0711231370/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291804511&sr=1-1#_)

since being unemployed I've bought too many books  ::) and added far more to my Amazon wish list.

I did get some brilliant bargains of perfect condition bird guides - "A Photographic Guide to Birds of ..." - for 1p each  :o. These pocket guides are brilliant for anyone who travels. I've now got 27  :o :o http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+photographic+guide+to+birds+of (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+photographic+guide+to+birds+of) All I need now is money to travelling  :(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 08, 2010, 07:28:27 PM
Thanks for the notes on the two Sir Roy Strong titles Frazer, they have been added to my Christmas/Birthday/and let's just buy David a present lists.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 08, 2010, 08:22:40 PM
David,

I can certainly second Frazer's comments on Roy Strong's "The Laskett". You will certainly enjoy it.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 09, 2010, 09:02:43 PM
Thought Forumists might be interested in the The Daily Telegraph's top 10 books for giving as presents (either to oneself or to others) over this festive period. I've used in quotations the views of reviewer Tim Richardson's

The Rose: A True Story by Jennifer Potter. Lavish book from Atlantic Books (£75) or a basic Waterstones edition (£30). "..a magnificant, wide-ranging study, would make a generous and impressive present. It is the finest disquisition published thus far on the early history and symbolism of the rose."

Trees by Hugh Johnson (£30 Mitchell Beazley). I remember the original which occasionally can be found in upmarket second-hand bookshops. "..I cannot imagine a better general book on trees.."

Weeds by Richard Mabey £15.99 Profile Books. " an erudite and snappily written historical polemic, all in favour of these (reputedly) unloved "plants in the wrong place""

A Taste of the Unexpected by Mark Diacono. Quadrille £20. The gardener/writer works with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at River Cottage and also writes for The English Garden magazine. ".a gently inspirational book.." I thought it a little weak when I reviewed a copy recently, something for the veg enthusiast and ultimately the compost bin.

A Nation of Gardeners by Twigs Way. Orion £20. Packed full of posters and catalogue covers illustrating our affair with gardening. I thought it a coffee table book - worth a flick occasionally but not one for the proper library.

The Curious Gardener by Anna Pavord. Bloomsbury £20. Month by month gardening review elevated to literature. Anthology drawn from her columns in The Independent. Interesting but not essential.

Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox. Particular Books £25. another anthology this time culled from the FT, and it shows. A casual pick up in Waterstones turned into a 20 minute read. Good stuff, well told with appropriate erudition and thoughtfulness.  The pick of the anthologies by a long way. One for the library.

Gardens of Madeira by Gerald Luckhurst. Frances Lincoln £30. Do not be fooled by the terrible cover. Good to read on a cold night. A book that needed to be produced to pick up on memories of super gardens.

Dear Christo Timber Press £18.99. Anthologised remeniscences from those who met Christopher Lloyd. "entries are formulaic and deferential..". Not one for my library.

Gardening: Philosophy for everyone by Dan O'Brien Blackwell £12. A book of essays from academics. This could be interesting however "..too many of these essays treat the garden as a metaphor rather than as an actuality". Perhaps not. Well maybe a scan at Waterstones first (that is if they have it in their lamentable selection of stocked books - come back Borders!).

That's the ten - you can get the books at reduced prices direct from Telegraph Books www.bboks.telegraph.co.uk (http://www.bboks.telegraph.co.uk) or by calling 0844 871 1515.

Good reading!

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 09, 2010, 09:39:14 PM
Frazer,

Of the books you have listed, I have just read these five:

Trees - I thought this was an excellent book, well written, well illustrated and, most significantly, written by someone who knew what he was writing about.
The Curious Gardener - a light, amusing read, a contrast the more usually more studied material from Anna Pavord
Thoughtful Gardening - a man who thinks being odd and different is a virtue. Whimsical and lightly entertainment.
Weeds - a plot like bindweed, rambling but lots of interesting fact and comment
Gardens of Madeira - good photographs. I visited Madeira recently and, judging the book against gardens I visited, I think the author has been reasonable accurate and truthful in his descriptions, a rare occurrence.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 09, 2010, 09:56:56 PM
Frazer,

The fact that most of these books are only recently published casts doubt on the suggestion that they are the top ten; they are simply the top ten most recently published.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 10, 2010, 07:49:54 PM
Just in case anyone is looking for a last minute present for a cricket lover, and especially one with Northern roots, I can thoroughly recommend the following for both a good read and a good laugh.

"Slipless in Settle" by Harry Pearson published by Little, Brown at £12.99. ISBN 978-1-4087-0209-3
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 10, 2010, 08:05:39 PM
That sounded like something from the  'funny titles' thread so I had to go seek it.... he's right, y'know! ( Sorry for doubting you, David!  :-[ )

http://www.cricketbooks.co.uk/products.php?cat=568&pg=11

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 10, 2010, 08:33:32 PM
That's the one Maggi.     'He knows yer know'- Who said that, now we have a puzzle as well.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 10, 2010, 09:30:41 PM
Well, I remember the great Hylda  Baker, saying of her  large and silent friend
(Marlene?)  " she knows, y'know......"
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on December 11, 2010, 05:08:48 AM
Well, I remember the great Hylda  Baker, saying of her  large and silent friend
(Marlene?)  " she knows, y'know......"

'Cynthia' was the stooge, Maggi.


Hylda Baker (born February 4, 1905 in Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire
Hilda Baker was her original name, and she changed it to Hylda with a Y as it was more glamorous!

This dark-haired barrel-shaped comedienne and character actress was the daughter of a Lancashire comedian. She made her professional stage debut in 1915 aged 10 and toured for decades in variety and second rank revues, several of which she produced herself. She had a reputation for being difficult to work with, but this was probably because she was a perfectionist and had to fight for equal treatment in the male-dominated world of British show business. Her most popular act was malapropism-filled gossip with a tall, mute stooge called Cynthia (who was nearly always played by a man in drag).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: rob krejzl on December 11, 2010, 09:09:57 AM





.... whilst Marlene was one of Beryl Reid's characters.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2010, 10:28:31 AM
Cliff, Rob,  your are both spot on.... thanks.
Goodness me.... I must be older than I care to think  :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 20, 2010, 08:06:35 PM
I haven't seen David Shaw around the Forum for ages but wondered if he is going to be stocking Graham Duncan's new, and much extended edition of "Growing Bulbs" published, I think, by Kirstenbosch. Silverhill Seeds have it at £18 plus £17 post and package to the UK.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on December 22, 2010, 04:56:41 PM
Plant Finder 2009-2010 for only 1p plus postage
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1405341769/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1405341769/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Olga Bondareva on December 24, 2010, 01:39:22 PM
From my friend well known Russian botanist Mikhail Diev:

Dear colleagues,
I am glad to inform you about my new published “BIG ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF PERRENIALS”.
520 pages, about 2000 photos and drawings. Almost all species of Russian gardens.
You could learn more about the book at Publishing house KMK.
Contacts: http://avtor-kmk.ru
e-mail: mikhailov2000@gmail.ru
With best New Year wishes,
Michail Diev.

(http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/6000/universad.2b/0_51081_de309b12_L) (http://cs10854.vkontakte.ru/u6450879/13056148/x_38e2a4f1.jpg)

Unfortunately only in Russian. Both Latin and Russian plant names.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Hans J on December 24, 2010, 02:01:11 PM
Just has arrived me a new book for Cacti :

SULCOREBUTIEN - Kleinode aus Bolivien

It is written from Willi Gertel + Wolfgang Latin

published from the DKG in year 2010

...sorry only in german - but with 1359 very good pictures about each species ( 320 pages )

here is a link :
http://www.dkg.eu/cms/cs/index.pl?navid=Nr._5%3A_Sulcorebutien_1184&sid=de

Hans
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 24, 2010, 02:13:16 PM
I don't think it matters at all about  some of these books not being in English.... plenty German and Russian  forumists and readers of the Forum who may be glad to hear of these books.... though perhaps it is a little late for Christmas gift shopping..... :D ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on December 26, 2010, 05:43:43 PM
Olga,

Best wishes with your book. I hope it sells millions.

Pity I will not be able to read it.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on January 20, 2011, 07:28:56 PM
In case anyone is interested here is a link to Keith's Plant Books latest Newsletter

http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/downloads/NewsletterG.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: daveyp1970 on January 20, 2011, 07:47:19 PM
Cheers for that link David
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 20, 2011, 10:50:06 PM
Janis' Crocus book is delayed  until mid Feb  :'(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 20, 2011, 11:04:13 PM
Mark,

On January 11, I was told by the publishers, "Crocuses isn't with us yet, but will be shortly."

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 20, 2011, 11:52:38 PM
I went back for a read and I got it slightly wrong

Amazon say
Dispatch estimate: 1 Feb 2011 - 5 Feb 2011
Delivery estimate: 3 Feb 2011 - 10 Feb 2011
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on January 22, 2011, 09:16:36 AM
I don't know where that comes from, Mark, as I have had a boxfull for a day or two now. See new 'Secretaries Pages' for details.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 22, 2011, 09:19:53 AM
That's good news, David. It should be in the post shortly then. Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 22, 2011, 11:38:23 AM
I don't know where that comes from, Mark, as I have had a boxfull for a day or two now. See new 'Secretaries Pages' for details.

 Ah, the holidaymaker returns-   Hope there was no sign of Monsieur Poirot or any other Agatha Christie characters on your Nile cruise, David!!
 Good to have you home.

If the JR Crocus books are not all preordered then you'll be in for a good day of sales at  Dunblane on the 19th February, then, eh?  :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on January 22, 2011, 12:06:40 PM
I wouild expect it to sell readily, Maggie. It is a very informative book as we would expect.
The Nile Cruise was fantastic - not a flower in sight! Daren't tell you how warm and sunny it was. We were not the only Forumists in Egypt at the time either - met another well known face at Luxor airport on the way home.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on January 22, 2011, 07:23:04 PM
The February edition of Gardens Illustrated has some articles in it, that might interest Forumists:
1. An article about North Green Snowdrops/John Morley
2. Winter Iris by Christine Skelmersdale
3. Hellebore Breeding
4. Profile of John Massey (Ashwoods)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: daveyp1970 on January 25, 2011, 08:28:03 AM
Mark just got an email from Amazon telling me Janis's crocus book won't be with me untill 8-11 Feb i will cry with you.GUTTED(i hope the use of capitals there really puts over how p*ssed off i am) :'(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paul Ravenhill on January 25, 2011, 08:30:43 PM
I preordered a copy of janis book form amazon (before Xmas) and it arrived today ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on January 25, 2011, 10:20:21 PM
I just got an email from Amazon saying my copy of Janis's book has been dispatched and will arrive on the29th of January.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on January 26, 2011, 10:44:46 PM
... and me.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 27, 2011, 07:17:36 AM
According to The Book Depository, my copy has been dispatched on Jan 22!
I'll let you know when it arrives here.
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on January 27, 2011, 10:05:29 AM
... and me.

and it arrived at 0710 this morning. Mrs N who normally struggles out of bed to answer the door bell on occasions such as this was out like a light so I had to do it. I think the postie must have thought the grim reaper was opening the door. It looks good but brain only just beginning to get into gear ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on January 27, 2011, 02:23:53 PM
Mine arrived today as well.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 27, 2011, 02:27:30 PM
 :o :o :'( :'(
I would love to know what's going on
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on January 27, 2011, 02:37:27 PM
:o :o :'( :'(
I would love to know what's going on

Still in Belfast sorting office ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 27, 2011, 06:04:03 PM
Just got an email to say my book was mailed today
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 28, 2011, 05:58:32 PM
Janis's book arrived from Amazon today. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnw on January 28, 2011, 10:31:24 PM
Mine was mailed on Wednesday from Amazon. ETA is Monday.   ;D

johnw
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: annew on January 29, 2011, 09:44:17 AM
Mine came yesterday on my birthday - Happy me! Now, back to Janis' catalogue.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 29, 2011, 09:50:55 AM
late happy birthday Anne!

7.33am and I heard a thud but I fell asleep again. The book is here. Do I have breakfast or go through the book .. ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 31, 2011, 09:53:40 PM
Botanic Gardens - A Living History
Black Dog Publishing
ISBN 10: 1 904772 72 2
ISBN13: 978 1 904772 72 9

Published 2007
UK £39.95 US $59.95

Waterstones UK stores have reduced price to £6!!! - I'm assuming that copies are being reduced as part of a clearance (I think because of their rationalisation they are off loading books from recently closed stores and are generally seeking to shift over-stocks) I picked up a copy at my local Waterstones today.

Looking forward to rain on Sunday so that I can digest the content.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2011, 10:28:25 PM
Has anyone got Galanthomania?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on January 31, 2011, 10:30:23 PM
I think a number of people on the forum have galanthomania ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2011, 11:00:59 PM
Botanic Gardens - A Living History
Black Dog Publishing
ISBN 10: 1 904772 72 2
ISBN13: 978 1 904772 72 9

Published 2007
UK £39.95 US $59.95

Waterstones UK stores have reduced price to £6!!! - I'm assuming that copies are being reduced as part of a clearance (I think because of their rationalisation they are off loading books from recently closed stores and are generally seeking to shift over-stocks) I picked up a copy at my local Waterstones today.

Looking forward to rain on Sunday so that I can digest the content.


 It is still full price online.  :(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on January 31, 2011, 11:18:17 PM
I think a number of people on the forum have galanthomania ;D ;D ;D

ha ha ha
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Armin on February 01, 2011, 05:35:46 PM
TV stays off - Janis crocus book arrived today :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on February 01, 2011, 06:04:50 PM
I've only looked at the photos. I have two other books to read  ::) and a third to arrive. I know I'm spending my unemployment money is the wrong places
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Casalima on February 01, 2011, 06:49:17 PM
My Crocus book dispatched today! Another one for the giant Mount Toberead!!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on February 02, 2011, 07:12:13 AM
My Crocus book dispatched today! Another one for the giant Mount Toberead!!!
Damn! I just got a new library book (3rd book in a series!) due back in 3 weeks and Will has just rung to tell me that the parcel he collected at the Post Office today fell apart when he got it home to reveal.....Janis' book!
Chloe, that mountain just got a bit higher! ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on March 03, 2011, 10:50:40 PM
I have some reservations about bringing this book to your attention, but here goes:
'Sikkim and the World of Primulas'
by Keshab C. Pradhan
http://www.cinnamonteal.in
Works out at about £70.
(Can pay by Paypal).

It is a print-to-order book that received a favourable review in the American Primrose Society Quarterly.
After a short introduction into primula exploration, and a limited key, it launches in to a photographic record of seriously weird primulas.
There are a couple of short paragraphs of botanical description for each species, but it is basically a picture book.
Disappointingly, some of the photographs are of very poor quality. However, some are very good. All are taken in the wild, and there are some general views of habitat (meadows, cliffs, around waterfalls etc.), which are not always available on the Primulaworld website.
It has many photos of each species, and there are photos of species, which are not illustrated in John Richard's book.
It is disappointing, in that it could have been better, but as I don't know of any other book like it, it is 'this' or 'nothing'.
I am happy with my purchase, if only for the pictures of P.klattii, P.sappharina and many other exquisite primulas, but others may wish to see a copy first.

I don't know if the many members the SRGC who contributed to this book have been sent complimentary copies they would be willing to bring to shows for others to look at, or if the Book Secretary would be willing to purchase a copy for others to peruse........
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 14, 2011, 08:18:25 PM
I received recently Robert Rolfe's latest book Portrait of Alpines.

I haven't yet devoured it - that will happen later this week - but as an apertif I scanned through the pictures and couldn't fault them. First impressions count for a lot...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Nick_the_grief on March 18, 2011, 08:36:49 PM
I bought one on Mosses and Liverworts ... at least I'll know what it is in my seed pots now ::)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ha6Jrc2IquA/TYNjry9cQmI/AAAAAAAAA6w/77Dz36ZwBII/2011-03-18%2013.45.20_edit0.png)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on March 19, 2011, 10:06:23 AM
Not in the top ten is it Nick? ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on March 19, 2011, 10:09:37 AM
I bought one on Mosses and Liverworts ... at least I'll know what it is in my seed pots now ::)

Fascinating plants.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Nick_the_grief on March 22, 2011, 07:16:58 PM
Not in the top ten is it Nick? ;D

Probably not David, but a damn site easier to photograph, they don't fly off, don't move in the wind and you only have to make sure that the Greens OK  ;D  I' downloaded a booklet about growing mosses in the greenhouse ... I really must get out more! :'(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on May 25, 2011, 08:20:09 PM
Books, books, books

Just to let fellow bibliophiles know that Keith's Plant Books   www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/ (http://www.keithsplantbooks.co.uk/) will be attending Gardening Scotland and orders/inpsections can be brought to the show. He's got a great selection of alpine, bulbous and plant exploration titles (in fact the whole gamut of books - he has also recently acquired the library of John Lavanos of succulent fame)  - well worth checking out.

I remember donating quite some cash to his funds last year in return for filling some space in my library.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on May 27, 2011, 05:34:24 PM
I am hunting for a new place to put a shelf up in my office! I would very much like to write a book (for one it might stop me buying them). But in the meantime a couple that have captured me: first 'The Plant Life of Snowdonia' edited by Peter Rhind and David Evans. This describes all the plant life of the region including fungi and lichens, and recalls a very enjoyable holiday. Secondly a book recommended by Anne Speigel on the NARGS website, and which I have only just started to read but am already finding thoroughly absorbing: 'Land above the Trees' by Ann Zwinger and Beatrice Willard. This is an in depth ecological guide to the American Alpine Tundra and is beautifully written.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 27, 2011, 06:42:16 PM
Tim, metal supports attached to the ceiling allow shelves to be suspended from the roof, offering a tad more book space..... depends how high the ceiling is and how tall you are as to how much use you can make of this particular space grabbing trick.  ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on May 28, 2011, 08:39:31 AM
I hadn't thought of that Maggi! I have seriously considered raising the bed on stilts (for it is a spare bedroom too, as well as seed store and place to throw all of the AGS Group paraphernalia). That should give me quite a bit more space for books!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on May 31, 2011, 07:57:56 PM
I received recently Robert Rolfe's latest book Portrait of Alpines.
I haven't yet devoured it - that will happen later this week - but as an apertif I scanned through the pictures and couldn't fault them. First impressions count for a lot...

and .....?

How many photos? How many plants? Show plants or in the wild?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 31, 2011, 08:22:06 PM
Quote
How many photos? How many plants? Show plants or in the wild?
well, I still haven't had time to read the darn thing, but Ill try to help....

How many photos? Lots, nearly all by Robert, some others.... some great scenery shots, too.

How many plants? More than 84  ;)

Show plants or in the wild? Both.

Seems eminently readable!  8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on June 06, 2011, 01:02:30 PM
I have to say - gardening friends are real friends. I have just been left a copy of Brian Mathew's 'Crocus' by Rosemary Powis who was the Secretary of our AGS Group for 17 years. It recalls many happy memories running the Group. I shall have to supplement this with Janis Ruksans book, having hugely enjoyed 'Buried Treasures'. Extensions in the office will be underway before long!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on July 24, 2011, 12:39:37 PM
Tim

Mr Ruksans book on Crocus has been published. It received a mixed review from Kit Grey-Wilson in the recent issue of The Garden. The essays on cultivation were warmly praised - as you would expect they would be since Mr Ruksans is a nurseryman of considerable standing. Concerns however were expressed about some of the photographs, the editing and terminology however  "..the author of this guide should be commended on producing an informative, albeit personal account of this popular, much loved genus."

Frazer
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 24, 2011, 01:12:28 PM
Frazer,

No book is perfect, some of Grey-Wilson's books are also not without criticism and I am sure some "experts" will no doubt have something to say about the treatment of their "own" genera in the upcoming book by CGW and Cribb "Guide to the Flora of Western China"......
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on July 24, 2011, 01:42:15 PM
£70 for Guide to the Flora of Western China
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 24, 2011, 03:23:52 PM
Yes, but not available yet Mark, still has to be released.

Frazer, which month's issue of The Garden was that review of the Crocus book?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on July 24, 2011, 04:56:25 PM
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if that's what comes across in a book, that's what catches me! But I find quite a lot beautiful so have rather a lot of books!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: GoodGrief on July 24, 2011, 06:50:18 PM
Frazer, which month's issue of The Garden was that review of the Crocus book?

August.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on July 24, 2011, 07:08:52 PM

Mr Ruksans book on Crocus has been published. It received a mixed review from Kit Grey-Wilson in the recent issue of The Garden. The essays on cultivation were warmly praised - as you would expect they would be since Mr Ruksans is a nurseryman of considerable standing. Concerns however were expressed about some of the photographs, the editing and terminology however  "..the author of this guide should be commended on producing an informative, albeit personal account of this popular, much loved genus."


Yes, it read as a very "tetchy" review to me. Perhaps KG-W had ideas on a Crocus book of his own, he's done books on most other plants :P Having said that I do find it annoying when photographs are in a lump in the middle of a book but the reasons for it are probably ones of economics and I would rather have them that way than no book at all.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 24, 2011, 08:29:10 PM
Frazer, which month's issue of The Garden was that review of the Crocus book?

August.

Mmm, as overseas member I haven't received that one yet..... ???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 24, 2011, 08:50:11 PM
Yes, it read as a very "tetchy" review to me. Perhaps KG-W had ideas on a Crocus book of his own, he's done books on most other plants :P

David, you speak out something I was keeping as a thought to myself...... ;) And that is before I have read the review itself. Often reading a review is accompanied by reviewing the reviewer in the back of your mind isn't it?.

How objective a review is depends on several things, politics is among them. Also how knowledgeable the reviewer is on the subject of the book he/she is reviewing and how one perceives that person as an authority in general. I rather read a book written with passion by someone that has devoted a lifetime studying and working on a particular genus than a book by someone that tried to understand a medium to large genus in a relatively short period for the purpose of writing a book to make a living....(..).

I usually don't pay much attention to reviews, some books were considered bad which I thought were brilliant and others were hailed that I thought were crap. It also depends on how the aim of the book is met. Some books claim to be a monograph but if it is not accompanied by a full scale revision of the genus it is not. The book by Janis is a complete guide and it that sense I think it does the job very well. Now how to resist growing more autumn Crocus after reading it.....mmmmmm..... :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on July 26, 2011, 09:41:02 PM
Just an aside on the subject matter above: A friend here in Ireland, born in Latvia, is practising her English reading by reading Janis Ruksans' "Buried Treasures".

I thought it funny that a Latvian was reading in English a book written by a Latvian. It's a funny world.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on July 26, 2011, 10:35:28 PM
What gets published in English is what will sell (& especially sell in the USA). I recall mention in the forum sometime ago of a book on crocus by Pasche & Kerndorff which could not find a publisher. I suspect that this was a scholarly monograph. I think I remarked then  that Mathew's The Crocus would be unlikely to find a publisher (even an academic publisher) today.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 26, 2011, 11:06:30 PM
In the modern digital age one can question whether printed books should be the only way to publish, I think not. A lot of botanical journals are also available in PDF format (freely available or via a subscription/password) and as long as 2-3 printed specimen of that publication are deposited at a recognised botanical institute, any nomenclatural change described in that publication is accepted by the Botanical Code.

I am aware that many people like the feel and touch of a book and many authors see it as the ultimate culmination of their work and study, there is nevertheless much to say about publishing on the internet or electronically as E-book. Due to the cost of getting a book to print, it might be the alternative for those authors aiming at a niche market. Before print the copy is usually in electronic form already and the information is potentially available to a lot more people, in my view a much more democratic way of publishing. Certainly if the plants are central stage and not the ego of the author. Publications for a niche market generally will not make a profit for the author anyway so if the authors only goal is the share the information, why not publish digitally?
Desperately holding on the world as it is or looking to the future and make use of new technology and marketing ways. I think it is more a question of changing the mindset, similar to the music industry. Really wanting to have a CD in a box with a booklet or don't mind having a file on the harddrive....., that is the question.... ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on July 26, 2011, 11:43:49 PM
Pascal - I recall you posting to this effect previously (& in response to me!). Being ancient, I prefer the cd in its box & the book in the hand. But each to his own.

A further thought. It's now 10 years since I retired so I don't know how well electronic publications would be received in today's academic world. In the past it was important in the UK, both for the author & for the institution, that publications  appear in prestigious journals or via reputable publishing houses. Money (to the institution) & promotion (for the author) was at stake.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on July 27, 2011, 01:09:18 AM
Gerry, times are changing. In some respects slowly, in others fast. Most recent publications I can get through PDF or similar and most journals can be downloaded through subscription at the same time the paper version is send to the libraries of botanical institutes. Taiwania even has the latest issue available free to download immediately! But generally 4-5 year old issues are often released free to download, it depends on the journal and the country, some countries are more conservative than others but the people behind the botanical code are realising times are changing and for effective publication only 2-3 printed versions deposited at a recognised institute accesible to botanists are needed. But even Kew Bulletin has a paid electronic version....(..).

Interesting link for this is http://www.e-journals.org/botany/

But I think we should make a distinction between books and journals. Journals are solely for sciencific purposes, books have a science aspect but other factors also come into play, the reasons to publish are different but most importantly: they have to have a prospect of making a profit in order to get published. And that is getting harder and harder with rising prices of raw materials and for a niche market even to break even would require books to have a hefty price many don't want to pay. That Janis succeeded to get it published deserves praise.

I do not think much money can be made on journals but the prestige thing is a different matter. Personally I don't care much about the ego of botanists or the prestige of an institute, for me plants are central and I judge them on what they have to say about the plants instead of who they are or what reputation they have so I am not the best to comment on that. Kew still thinks they are the foremost botanical institute but due to some very conservative decisions I think they have lost contact with reality and in my opinion have been passed a long time ago by Missouri as the worlds leading botanical institute.

But yes, for scientists the fact of the matter is they only "exist" if they publish and the more important the journal they publish in, the more likely they can get grants. But at the same time the demand for electronic versions will also decide on the fate of these journals as a result of how they anticipate on the changing world. Some reputable journals, if they don't respond well, might lose their influence and prestige. And reputable publishing houses might go bankrupt because they don't sell anymore. But that the "digital" demand exists and is growing is a fact, it is embedded in modern life and it makes no sense to deny it.

I can only guess where it is going to but I just want to note that we don't have to be stuck to books, if an author wants to share his/her work at all cost and can't find a publisher, this would be an alternative. Most that decided to publish themselves in printed form have lost money on it. Not publishing at all or publishing not how you ideally want it is the choice. It also depends on the motivation for wanting to publish a book. Sharing the knowledge for the benefit of the plants or.......you name it.....

Don't get me wrong, I do like books like those published by Timberpress or Natural History Publications but as much as I would like to have the first 2 volumes of the newly published Orchids of Mt. Kinabalu, I ain't gonna pay $255 for such a very specialized publication... But when I am doing my own private research I much prefer to have the PDF files, each has their benefit.

PS. But it is the same with the rather old-fashioned requirement that a valid publication of a new species or variety should be accompanied by a latin diagnosis. Some of them consist of only 3-4 words that don't make sense at all or say very little about the plant in question but "it is according to the code". Many botanists in the US and on the continent want to get rid of it and change it to a short description/summary in English but the most resistance for that change comes from the UK..... But I am afraid they will find out it is very hard to stay an island if the sea around you is rising, you can't stop progress.... ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Hans J on July 27, 2011, 10:51:44 AM
Hi all

I can really suggest all growers of South African bulbs the new book from Graham Duncan !!!
The titel is "Grow Bulbs" ,it is from the Kirstenbosch series .
There are good cultural advices for all kind of bulbs ,corms ,tubers from South Africa :
treat as wintergrowers,summergrowers,evergreen and more
Please look here :
http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/grow-bulbs-by-graham-duncan.html

Hans 
 
 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on July 28, 2011, 10:27:02 AM
Hi all

I can really suggest all growers of South African bulbs the new book from Graham Duncan !!!
The titel is "Grow Bulbs" ,it is from the Kirstenbosch series .
There are good cultural advices for all kind of bulbs ,corms ,tubers from South Africa :
treat as wintergrowers,summergrowers,evergreen and more
Please look here :
http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/grow-bulbs-by-graham-duncan.html
Quote

 "Excellent book I believe. I posted the following in December 2010 but didn't get a reply. Surely someone in the UK will stock it but I haven't been able to find anyone and I draw the line at £17 for p/p from Silverhill


 I haven't seen David Shaw around the Forum for ages but wondered if he is going to be stocking Graham Duncan's new, and much extended edition of "Growing Bulbs" published, I think, by Kirstenbosch. Silverhill Seeds have it at £18 plus £17 post and package to the UK. " 
 
 
  

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: angie on July 28, 2011, 11:21:55 PM
Quote
quote author=David Nicholson link=topic=248.msg209429#msg209429
quote author=Hans J link=topic=248.msg209324#msg209324 date=1311760304
Hi all

I can really suggest all growers of South African bulbs the new book from Graham Duncan !!!
The titel is "Grow Bulbs" ,it is from the Kirstenbosch series .
There are good cultural advices for all kind of bulbs ,corms ,tubers from South Africa :
treat as wintergrowers,summergrowers,evergreen and more
Please look here :
http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/grow-bulbs-by-graham-duncan.html


 "Excellent book I believe. I posted the following in December 2010 but didn't get a reply. Surely someone in the UK will stock it but I haven't been able to find anyone and I draw the line at £17 for p/p from Silverhill


I haven't seen David Shaw around the Forum for ages but wondered if he is going to be stocking Graham Duncan's new, and much extended edition of "Growing Bulbs" published, I think, by Kirstenbosch. Silverhill Seeds have it at £18 plus £17 post and package to the UK. "

 Brilliant book. Well worth having, text big enough to read if you can't find your glasses and the advice that is given is in a context that I can understand .

Angie :)
  

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on August 01, 2011, 06:27:37 PM
I have been trying to find a UK distributor for the Kirstenboch publications but cannot find one. Therefore I cannot get hold of this book any more easily than you forumists and would have to charge the book price, the postage from South Africa plus my own postage charges out to you. As Amazon does not seem to stock this book I suggest that interested forumists go directly to Kirstenboch and pay the postage.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on August 01, 2011, 06:28:31 PM
If it's any help I ordered mine from Rachel Saunders at Silverhill Seeds.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 01, 2011, 06:32:59 PM
I have been trying to find a UK distributor for the Kirstenboch publications but cannot find one. Therefore I cannot get hold of this book any more easily than you forumists and would have to charge the book price, the postage from South Africa plus my own postage charges out to you. As Amazon does not seem to stock this book I suggest that interested forumists go directly to Kirstenboch and pay the postage.

 Good on you for trying, though, David!  8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on August 01, 2011, 07:10:16 PM
Many thanks David.

Postage and packing from Silverhills is £17, just a pound less than the sale price of the book :(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 01, 2011, 07:30:53 PM
Couldnt Amazon take it on?

I heard today that Gunter Waldorfs Galanthus book is out but I cant find it
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 01, 2011, 09:48:35 PM
Snowdrops: White magic. - 300 portraits

Short Description
A must - not only for Galanthophile "Galanthus" the herald of spring, tender and charismatic: Over 300 snowdrop varieties are portrayed in such abundance here for the first time - brilliantly photographed in their natural environment. The reader will learn about plant care and propagation of onion, and about collecting the right tools. Indispensable for Galanthophile, the book makes them curious novice and connoisseur is a practical and beautiful reference book. In the fall of the next spring think! • For the first time: portraits of over 300 varieties - in brilliant photographs and informative text • Everything about the care and propagation of snowdrops: Tips, tools, sources unrivaled •

About the Author
Günter Waldorf was the age of six horticultural infected "." Today he operates with his wife, a 3,000-square-foot garden on the Lower Rhine in Nettetal with about 450 snowdrop varieties. He is the initiator of the snowdrop days taking place there.

http://www.amazon.de/Schneegl%C3%B6ckchen-Zauber-dreihundert-Sorten-Fotoportr%C3%A4t/dp/3421038317 (http://www.amazon.de/Schneegl%C3%B6ckchen-Zauber-dreihundert-Sorten-Fotoportr%C3%A4t/dp/3421038317)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on August 01, 2011, 10:05:55 PM
Hopefully those who ordered it at the Gala will be receiving it through the post soon ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 01, 2011, 10:23:37 PM
I didnt realise he was taking orders at the Gala. I ordered mine of amazon.de today
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnw on August 01, 2011, 10:39:09 PM
Günter emailed last week requesting my mailing address and said the books should go out in the next few weeks.

We should all be fluent in German before the winter is out.

And the hunt will be on for all those new continental drops... ::)

johnw   - two absolutely perfect days in a row.  Lovely warm evenings.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: annew on August 01, 2011, 10:40:31 PM
The reader will learn about plant care and propagation of onion, 
???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 01, 2011, 10:46:15 PM
The reader will learn about plant care and propagation of onion,  
???

Shoogly Google translation, Anne....... it should say "bulbs"  :)

This is a  bit more "English" ....
"Galanthus" the herald of spring, tender and charismatic: Over 300 snowdrop varieties are portrayed here for the first time in such abundance - brilliantly photographed in their natural environment. The reader will learn about plant care and propagation of bulbs, about collecting and the right tools. Indispensable for the Galanthophile, the book makes the novice curious and for the connoisseur is a practical and beautiful reference book. Think in Autumn of next Spring!
• For the first time: portraits of over 300 varieties - in brilliant photographs and informative text
• All about the care and propagation of snowdrops: Tips, tools, reference sources
• Unrivaled in the German-speaking countries

About the Author
Günter Waldorf was "infected by horticulture "at the age of six  ." Today he operates, with his wife a 3,000-square-foot garden on the Lower Rhine in Nettetal with about 450 snowdrop varieties. He is the initiator of the snowdrop days taking place there.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on August 02, 2011, 09:04:06 AM
I didnt realise he was taking orders at the Gala. I ordered mine of amazon.de today

There were fliers for it everywhere Mark!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on August 02, 2011, 09:08:44 AM
What is the title of the book? Who are the publishers? Please.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 02, 2011, 09:56:26 AM
What is the title of the book? Who are the publishers? Please.

Paddy

From the Amazon Germany page Mark gave:
Schneeglöckchen: Zauber in Weiß. - Über dreihundert Sorten im Fotoporträt - von Günter Waldorf und Oliver Kipp von Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt

The picture of the cover shown on that page has DVA on the lower left of the cover and thus I presume that Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt  which is German Publishing House in English, is the name of the book's publisher . It seems there is a Random House connection.... http://www.randomhouse.de/dva/index.jsp

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on August 02, 2011, 01:18:56 PM
As ever, Maggi, you are the most helpful. Many thanks, indeed. Paddy

No English version?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnw on August 02, 2011, 04:08:44 PM
Good grief, I just browsed Schneeglöcken on USA Amazon to see if the book was for sale south of the border.  What do I discover?  Schumann wrote a lied entitled "Schneeglöcken", Op.96 #2! Had he lived into this century he could have written a cycle, a lied for every snowdrop.

Another by Hugo Wolf and the Schneeglöcken Waltzer by J.Strauss Jr.  Plenty of music for the next Gala, we can don our snowdrop caps and kick up heels!

johnw
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 02, 2011, 06:09:47 PM
Snow drop music.... I might have known it was out there somewhere   :D


No sign of an English version as far as I can find, Paddy...... hope someone else knows better..... :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on August 02, 2011, 07:28:43 PM
A few days ago Mark referred to Chris Grey-Wilson's new book, Guide to the flowers of Western China. I have just come home from a trip to Galloway and found it waiting for me. What to say about it?
Well, my first thought before opening the packet was "That's a very small book for seventy quid!" The reason for this could be found inside the book - it is packed with over two thousand coloured pictures. Next problem is that the pictures are little more than thumbnails, one page has fourteen pictures! Also, some of the pictures are not good quality, even at this size. Looking through the book I wonder what the purpose is and who it is aimed at. It is purely a flora of plants from an area of China ranging from Shaanxi in the north east to Yunnan in the south west. I don't know just how many square miles this is, but it is a heck of a lot. The book is far too selective to do justice to any one location and so of limited use as a field guide and too technical to be of much interest on the coffee table.
I have just the one copy for sale and will order more on demand should anyone wish me to. The silver lining is that with the book being so expensive I can reduce my usual postage cost of 20% UK (£14) to only £10 - aren't I generouse. The RRP of the book is £70 so it will sell to members for £63. I will take a copy to the Discussion W/E and the AGM for people to look at.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 02, 2011, 08:16:19 PM
Doesn't sound too tempting, David.  What is the point in lots of tiny photos?  ???
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on August 02, 2011, 10:58:09 PM
No sign of an English version as far as I can find, Paddy...... hope someone else knows better..... :-\

I think I am right in saying that it is only in German, but it would be lovely if it wasn't :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 03, 2011, 03:32:12 PM
I've just received notice of another Snowdrop Book, this time in German, English,French and Dutch.
Photos by Josh Westrich, text by Clemens Heidger, due out in September 2011.
I assume you can buy it from Josh's webpage  www.flowercards.de
 but it is configured in such a way that I can only get the top half of every page to display on my screen so I am unable to say if that is the case!  :-\

The book is called "For Galanthophiles"
"106 pages;  104 stunning photographs; awarded with the Grenfell Silver Medal 2010 from the Royal Horticultural Society "

 price 36 euros

The following pages will enlarge with a click  ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 03, 2011, 04:24:37 PM
My book is coming out soon  :o

Not really but I did go to a printer in February to get a quote
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on August 03, 2011, 05:21:47 PM
A few days ago Mark referred to Chris Grey-Wilson's new book, Guide to the flowers of Western China. I have just come home from a trip to Galloway and found it waiting for me. What to say about it?
Well, my first thought before opening the packet was "That's a very small book for seventy quid!" The reason for this could be found inside the book - it is packed with over two thousand coloured pictures. Next problem is that the pictures are little more than thumbnails, one page has fourteen pictures! Also, some of the pictures are not good quality, even at this size. Looking through the book I wonder what the purpose is and who it is aimed at. It is purely a flora of plants from an area of China ranging from Shaanxi in the north east to Yunnan in the south west. I don't know just how many square miles this is, but it is a heck of a lot. The book is far too selective to do justice to any one location and so of limited use as a field guide and too technical to be of much interest on the coffee table.
I have just the one copy for sale and will order more on demand should anyone wish me to. The silver lining is that with the book being so expensive I can reduce my usual postage cost of 20% UK (£14) to only £10 - aren't I generouse. The RRP of the book is £70 so it will sell to members for £63. I will take a copy to the Discussion W/E and the AGM for people to look at.

As a friend of mine once said (apropos another publication): "This book fills a much needed gap."
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on August 03, 2011, 06:49:01 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: art600 on August 03, 2011, 08:23:49 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on August 04, 2011, 08:25:54 PM
Old Flames: an illustrated history of the perfection of the English florists' tulips by James Akers and Celia Fisher

In her article Tulips from Wakefield (the Rock Garden 127) Teresa Clements provides a short explanation and history of English florists' tulips. Her article is illustrated with a few shots of some wondrous specimens.

Having read the article I recalled my copy of Akers and Fisher's book which provides a history of these special plants, their cultivation and how they have come to be defined and judged. The book is illustrated with some marvellous reproductions of prints and contemporary botanical paintings of English tulips and some truly arresting photgraphs - with 80 pages of delights which spring out to catch the eye.

The book was jointly published by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park Press and the WNETS in 2006, copies may be available direct from contact details at www.ysp.co.uk (http://www.ysp.co.uk) otherwise one is left to the economic vagaries of the second-hand market (where I've seen the book available for between £3 and £14!).

I really do recommend the book to all bulboholics and especially those with an affection for tulips.

Frazer

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Lyttle on August 05, 2011, 12:18:22 PM
This link might be of interest to some http://www.scoop.it/t/annbot/p/326924492/outcomes-of-the-2011-botanical-nomenclature-section-at-the-xviii-international-botanical-congress (http://www.scoop.it/t/annbot/p/326924492/outcomes-of-the-2011-botanical-nomenclature-section-at-the-xviii-international-botanical-congress)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on August 05, 2011, 12:57:05 PM
Here is a slightly extended version of the outcome of the congres: http://www.pensoft.net/inc/journals/download.php?fileId=2585&fileTable=J_GALLEYS

Makes my earlier remark about the requirement of the Latin diagnosis outdated the moment I posted it as it can now be either in English or in Latin. And for my earlier remarks about the digital age, it seems they have skipped faster than I hoped for, new taxa can now be published exclusively in specific electronic journals and E-books! Great developement....

Quote:

After having rejected several similar proposals in several previous meetings, the
Section approved a proposal to allow the names of new taxa to be considered effectively
and validly published in specified types of electronic journals and books. Throughout
the history of botany, effective publication of names has been accomplished only by
hard-copy print materials. The new article in the Code, effective 1 January 2012, allows
names to be accepted when they appear either in electronically published journals
and books (e.g. Penev 2010) or in conventional printed material. As many universities
and research institutions in the developing world cannot afford to subscribe to large
numbers of journals, it is hoped that this will improve access for a greater number of
the world’s taxonomists.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on August 07, 2011, 07:45:40 PM
Old Flames: an illustrated history of the perfection of the English florists' tulips by James Akers and Celia Fisher

In her article Tulips from Wakefield (the Rock Garden 127) Teresa Clements provides a short explanation and history of English florists' tulips. Her article is illustrated with a few shots of some wondrous specimens.

Having read the article I recalled my copy of Akers and Fisher's book which provides a history of these special plants, their cultivation and how they have come to be defined and judged. The book is illustrated with some marvellous reproductions of prints and contemporary botanical paintings of English tulips and some truly arresting photgraphs - with 80 pages of delights which spring out to catch the eye.

The book was jointly published by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park Press and the WNETS in 2006, copies may be available direct from contact details at www.ysp.co.uk (http://www.ysp.co.uk) otherwise one is left to the economic vagaries of the second-hand market (where I've seen the book available for between £3 and £14!).

I really do recommend the book to all bulboholics and especially those with an affection for tulips.

Frazer



YSL does have books in stock, at a bargain £3!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 12, 2011, 11:26:26 AM
This just in about a new Hellebore Book......


Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
Dear Sir and Madam,


In einer sehr besonderen Edition erscheint zum September 2011 mein neues Buch:


HELLEBORUS
Eine Monografie



Aus dem Klappentext:
...ein Blick in lange vergangene Zeiten, bebildert mit seltenen botanischen Zeichnungen, Kupferstichen und Aquarellen aus Bibliotheken, Privatsammlungen und Museen ( Schiffner und weitere ) sowie Fotografien der Wildpflanzen und Hybriden
verschiedener deutscher und englischer Züchter.
... von Botanikern, Philosophen, Ärzten und Heilern, von Kräuterkundigen und Magiern, von Hippokrates über Dioskurides, Brunfels, Fuchs....... ausführlich die Pflanze begleitend durch ihre Jahrtausende alte Historie bis in die heutige Zeit. Gesammelte Legenden und zahlreiche Versuche der Menschen, die Pflanze für medizinische Zwecke zu nutzen....


Format: 28 x 21 cm, Festeinband/Schutzumschlag/Leseband,
184 Seiten, über 150 zumeist große Abbildungen, deutschsprachig, teils englisch übersetzt
Printed in Germany
59,00 € + Versand
ISBN 978-3-00-035275-1
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Christine Becker
sie auch hier (Abb.): http://helleborus-hellebores.com/Export3.html




In a very special edition my new book will appear in September 2011:


HELLEBORUS
A monograph


From the dust jacket:
... a look to long past times, illustrated with rare botanical drawings, copperplates and watercolors from libraries, private collections and museums (Schiffner and others) as well as photographs of the wild plants and hybrids
...different German and English breeders.
... from botanists, philosophers, doctors and healers, from herbal-expert and magicians, from Hippokrates via Dioskurides, Brunfels, Fuchs....... in detail the plant accompanied by her millennium old history till today.  Accumulated legends and numerous attempts of the people to use the plant for medical purposes....


Format: 28 x 21 cm, Hardcover/Dust cover/bookmark,
184 sides, more than 150 mostly big pictures, German-speaking, partly translated in English
Printed in Germany


ISBN 978-3-00-035275-1
Kind Regards
Christine Becker


please have a look to this site:
 http://helleborus-hellebores.com/Export3.html
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on August 19, 2011, 06:10:09 PM
I am pleased to say that I have just paid for my books (I ordered one for a friend) and eagerly await their arrival ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 26, 2011, 03:23:52 PM
Gunters book arrived this morning
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 29, 2011, 10:13:14 AM
There are so many snowdrops in there that will keep white fever going for a long time. It would have been good to have English beneath the snowdrop descriptions
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lesley Cox on August 31, 2011, 10:32:02 PM
A few more pictures Mark and no-one will need to buy it! ;D It looks nice and presumably, with such clear close-up portraits would be good for identification?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on August 31, 2011, 11:03:51 PM
Many in the book I have never seen before and may never see. It will be good for iding the common ones
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnw on August 31, 2011, 11:56:56 PM
It looks nice and presumably, with such clear close-up portraits would be good for identification?

Exactly, the second I saw the shot of Alanya I went straight to my photos and voila!  Seems my 'Lola' (lost label years ago) is now identified.  It is one very tall snowdrop. Comparing my deadlist with my spreadsheet I suspected it was Alanja which came from Germany, now correctly elwesii 'Alanya Yayla'.  No doubt someone will shoot this theory down, in fact the ovaries are not exactly the same....  Now if I could only figure out where 'Ailidh' got to.

Still awaiting the book.

johnw
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martin Baxendale on September 01, 2011, 12:20:25 AM
Haven't seen this book. Mark, is the text under the pics the only info on the named snowdrops? From what I can make out, the text isn't all that exhaustive. In fact, quite brief. I'd have thought a bit more info about leaves etc would be needed for positive id-ing, since a lot of named varieties look very similar as single flower close-ups.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: alpines on September 01, 2011, 08:38:31 PM
Not a book per se, but I just received this e-magazine via e-mail and thought it may be of some interest to the forumists.
http://www.plantnovelties.com/featured_product
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on September 01, 2011, 09:54:50 PM
Martin I speak no German so dont know what the content says
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martin Baxendale on September 02, 2011, 12:51:57 AM
Martin I speak no German so dont know what the content says

My German isn't terribly good, but even to me the written content seems quite basic. Not a lot of info, just various variations on what a lovely snowdrop and really quite minimal information. Nice photos (which I imagine is the main point of the book) but it looks like mostly individual flowers in close up. As with most snowdrop books, including the Bible, I think it would be good if there were more photos showing clumps, so you can see what they look like as a clumped-up garden plant, which can also help a lot with identification. But then you'd need large full-page photos of very high quality to see both individual flowers in detail and the overall clump.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martin Baxendale on September 02, 2011, 12:53:51 AM
Or perhaps a full-page clump photo and an insert showing a flower in close-up. But you'd still need a full page per photo. My ideally illustrated snowdrop book would be a very expensive thing to produce.  ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnw on September 02, 2011, 02:42:35 AM
Martin - Wouldn't it be great if the next version of the bible had an optional photo cd with photos of all including the foliage details, clumps and close-ups. All with a search mechanism, of course.

I'd also like to see a second index listing cultivars and selections A-Z without the species names; the present index is a bit cumbersome when you're in a rush.

How big will it be?

johnw  
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on September 02, 2011, 09:20:30 AM
Or perhaps a full-page clump photo and an insert showing a flower in close-up. But you'd still need a full page per photo. My ideally illustrated snowdrop book would be a very expensive thing to produce.  ;D

I bet we all would buy it though!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on September 11, 2011, 04:19:19 PM
As the book spine is only seen on our library shelves we tend to forget about the front cover - however some are really worth due consideration. I was pleasantly surprised recently by the number of books with gentians on the cover.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on September 11, 2011, 05:26:50 PM
I have the Berry book. Published in 1951 but very good indeed for a Gentiana beginner like me.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 11, 2011, 07:19:31 PM
Does anyone know of a book or journal article that reviews the Genus Viola?
Thankyou,
Giles
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on September 11, 2011, 09:30:58 PM
Does anyone know of a book or journal article that reviews the Genus Viola?
Thankyou,
Giles

Giles, GerdK might be the man to ask.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on September 11, 2011, 09:50:14 PM
Does anyone know of a book or journal article that reviews the Genus Viola?
Thankyou,
Giles
Violets, Doretta Klaber. 1976  (Violets of the United States)  It's a lovely book with many colored drawings of Viola.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 12, 2011, 08:15:12 AM
Thankyou both.
I have pm'd Gerd, and will track down the book  :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on September 12, 2011, 08:47:32 AM
There's a small and inexpensive book in Japanese called "Wild Violets of Japan", don't have a clue about the text, but it has good pictures and names in Latin. ISBN 4635070069
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on September 12, 2011, 09:33:17 AM
Besides the books already mentioned there are

The Violets of Japan - bei Eisuke Hama (1987) - in Japanese but superb illustrated
and names in Latin

Pansies, Violas and Violettas - by Rodney Fuller (1990) - dealing with breeding, cultivation, cultivars and also with a short treatise of the species.

From Fritz Köhlein (1999) is Viola, Veilchen, Stiefmütterchen, Hornveilchen - nice
little book for beginners but in German.

For European species you have to dip into the Viola-treatment in ' Flora Europaea '
- where sections of the genus are listed.

If you are interested in relationship of violets worldwide I recommend
Phylogenetic relationships and infrageneric groups in Viola - dissertation by Harvey
E. Ballard jr. from 1996 - 344 pp. - partly not at the current status but a good summing up of the genus.

I hope this will help a little bit.

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on September 12, 2011, 09:33:44 AM
I hear that Giles' Japanese is a joy to hear ;) ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 12, 2011, 10:49:45 AM
Thankyou, all.
I post these links, and you will see why I'm interested.
Amazon.jp has an English version of their site, which makes getting Japanese books quite easy.
(David, I only ever look at the pictures)
http://homepage3.nifty.com/plantsandjapan/page116.html
http://alm-alpines.com/gallery_viola.htm
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pascal B on September 12, 2011, 12:53:14 PM
Giles, don't forget the wild Japanese Viola species:

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~flower_world/Violaceae/

PS. If you ever find a good key for the Taiwanese species, please let me know, their identificication give me a headache....
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on September 12, 2011, 01:27:46 PM
If you do plan on ordering from Amazon Japan you should consider picking up a copy of "Himalayan Plants Illustrated" by Toshio Yoshida as well, a fantastic book that I'd love to see being translated into English. ISBN 4635580318
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 16, 2011, 07:45:43 PM
Hello,
The first of the violet books has arrived.
This is 'The Handbook of Japanese Violets' by Yamada Takahiko.
Available from Amazon in Japan.
About 120 x 180 cm, 100+ pages, in glossy full colour.
Works out quite expensive as they ship internationally via DHL Express as standard (the book arrived in 4 days).
I never realised there were so many crazy violets.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on September 16, 2011, 10:43:44 PM
Giles can you read Japanese?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on September 17, 2011, 09:40:32 AM
...... is the Pope a Catholic! ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on September 17, 2011, 06:53:26 PM
..only if I'm a Dutchman..
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 20, 2011, 12:51:09 PM
A new book, "Alpines - an essential guide" by Michael Mitchell of Slack Top Alpine Nurseries, is due out in October.
A review copy is being sent, I believe, so you will hear more later.


In the meantime, here are some details.....

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on October 07, 2011, 08:52:03 AM
Moving up on the scale of plants (!), has anyone been reading 'The Secret Life of Trees' by Colin Tudge? I started this enthusiastically because he has an extraordinary and wide grasp of his subject. I then found it hard to keep up as he worked through the different families and genera of trees and their uses. Funny how a whole host of unfamiliar latin names can send you into a quandary (so now I know what it must be like for those outside the alpine world too!). And now the final section of the book is about physiology and 'how trees live' and it is thoroughly fascinating. The idea that mycorrhiza actually connect different trees in a woodland together is something that had not properly occurred to me. On trees that can accumulate toxic metals here is an extraordinary fact - Sebertia acuminata from New Caledonia grows in soils rich in nickel and accumulates it to such an extent that its rubbery sap can run blue! It is hard to believe but the sap can apparently contain up to 11% nickel by weight (though nickel is quite heavy). As you might expect with the affinity we have with woodlands and forests, Colin Tudge has things to say throughout about the importance and value of such ecosystems. For one brought up on science but turned gardener it makes a fascinating if slightly exhausting read.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on October 15, 2011, 08:03:36 PM
Thought you might be interested in
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5434.msg217143#msg217143 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5434.msg217143#msg217143)
which gives some details on the archiving project being undertaken by the W&NETS.

As I say in that note, perhaps that is something the SRGC should consider (that is in having an archive and making an application to HLF for funding).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on October 20, 2011, 08:46:48 PM
The Flora of Taiwan is available as a free ebook resource at

http://tai2.ntu.edu.tw/ebook/ebookcontent.php?book=Fl.%20Taiwan%202nd%20edit.&volume=2

The flora also contains thousands of photographs as well as complete descriptions and illustrations. A truly good resource

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on November 02, 2011, 12:28:13 PM
Michael Mitchell's book "Alpines, An Essential Guide" is now available and I am just looking through my first copies. Well written, it is in the standard format of covering how to do it followed by a selective, list of suitable plants including information on how to grow them. It is probably a book for a keen gardener wanting to try their hand at growing alpines. In this it fills a niche and is one of the best of its type to be published in recent years. At £19.95 it is good value and would be worth giving as a Christmas present to someone you might want to encourage into alpines.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about- new Tulip book
Post by: Maggi Young on November 22, 2011, 12:39:08 PM
Since David mentions the Christmas word(!!) ........New book for Tulip Lovers
 I was very happy to find information  about this book on the VRV forum...
http://www.vrvforum.be/forum/index.php?topic=565.0


Followers of Luit's  superb thread, the "Connoiseur Collection"  ..... 
     (  http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1331.0  )
will know of the remakable Dutch grower Kees (Cees)  Breed. This man has one of the most astonishing private collections of bulbs imaginable. A particular favourite of his are the tulips and he has a world class collection  made since the 1950s of old and special rare tulips...around 1900 varieties ... many of them historical types, most lost to general cultivation many years ago. Some date back to the time of Clusius and Tulipomania!

A new book is available, price 19 euros... with 100 photographs of lost or forgotten tulip varieties from the collection of Mr Breed.
The book has been produced by his son, Eric Breed.
The book may be ordered by email  :
 info@tulippictures.eu
More information is here :
http://www.tulippictures.eu/LOST+TULIPS/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on November 22, 2011, 11:19:05 PM
I do have this nice book since some weeks on my desk and must say that here tulip flowers are shown in their full beauty!
There are pictures of tulips in there where only a very few plants still exist. The breeders, as far as known, are added to the names and the year of originating.
There is not so much text in the book but is in English and Dutch and with such pictures not really necessary.
But I am sure Eric is always willing to help with more information. Just mail him!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lina Hesseling on November 23, 2011, 09:54:16 PM
I can only agree with you, Luit. Today I received my book and I love it. It must be great for Eric to make such a book with this beautifull pictures about the passion of his father. Another very nice book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: majallison on December 05, 2011, 07:26:54 PM
Here's a book that people interested in South African bulbs or specifically nerines might be interested in:


http://www.nerineandamaryllidsociety.co.uk/52589.html

It's largely about growing nerine species & hybrids in Britain & is authored by a number of members of the Nerine & Amaryllid Society (I should declare an interest).

It would make a cracking Xmas present for any nerine-lovers in your life...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2011, 07:29:25 PM
Quote
It would make a cracking Xmas present for any nerine-lovers in your life...
It certainly would.... and not break the bank, either!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 18, 2011, 02:36:25 PM
Great website with new books at bargain prices, many of interest to rock gardeners

http://www.psbooks.co.uk/General_Interest_Gardening_Fts.asp   


And a recent great read was The Tulip Anthology by Ron van Dongen. It usually retails from $80.00/£40.00 but can be obtained at Photo Books International, London for under half-price.

A review (not mine) of the book can be obtained at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hWUSWqb-VI   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hWUSWqb-VI)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: manicbotanic on December 18, 2011, 05:24:49 PM
ive just treated myself to flowers of western china by phillip crib and chris grey wilson..very nice it is to.the only problem i now have more plants to track down!!! :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 19, 2011, 09:06:21 PM

ive just treated myself to flowers of western china by phillip crib and chris grey wilson..very nice it is to.the only problem i now have more plants to track down!!! :D

And there's an article by Phillip in the December issue of the AGS Journal to futher whet your interest:

http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/pdf_files/news/AG-DEC2011--Contents.pdf
 (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/pdf_files/news/AG-DEC2011--Contents.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on December 24, 2011, 04:37:28 PM
The Orchids of Ireland (http://www.nhbs.com/the_orchids_of_ireland_tefno_172298.html) by Curtis & Thompson (2009) is a book I'd recommend to anyone with an interest.  Apparently cheaper here (http://www.habitas.org.uk/orchidbook.html) ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lina Hesseling on December 26, 2011, 06:55:15 PM
If you need a small gift for one of your gardening friend, I can recommend: "The gardener's year" by Karel Capek. It is one of the funniest books about gardening. I have been reading it several times and gave it as a present several times.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 03, 2012, 03:16:19 AM
I agree, Lina, I got it the previous Christmas ;D
Well worth the search through the second hand book sites
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 25, 2012, 06:13:47 PM
Ian has a review of Michael Mitchell's book "Alpines, an essential guide" in this week's Bulb Log.... follow the link below...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2012Jan251327484353BULB_LOG__0412.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on February 01, 2012, 09:28:02 PM
As someone who finds it just as impossible to pass by books as I do plants, I have just started to read 'The Undaunted Garden' by Lauren Springer Ogden. This is the story of gardening in the dry and harsh climate of Colorado but still rings a lot of bells with rock gardeners. She comments for example that it is second nature with rock gardeners to really learn about the plants they grow. Elsewhere when describing the relative homogenity of gardening throughout North America she says that [It is as though] 'A nation of bold pioneers and innovators has seemed to wither when it comes to adventurous gardening, planting the same few dozen plants in the same few dozen ways, from sea to shining sea.' It rings some bells! (even if we do live in a land of great gardens). Of course there are many adventurous gardeners around but it's always nice to be prodded along by such heartfelt writing. So I am looking forward to getting into the book properly and making my own little corner of Colorado!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 01, 2012, 09:32:14 PM
Sounds a good read, Tim.
Coincidentally, we had a talk on Colorado from Sandy Leven last evening at the Aberdeen Group: super talk.

I have never been to the States and I was surprised at how many verdant areas there are in a state that I imagined would be much more arid. 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: illingworth on February 02, 2012, 03:57:16 PM
Another good book by Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden is Plant - Driven Design; Creating gardens that honor plants, place and spirit (Timber Press). It is illustrated with lots of ideas and pictures from the authors' own gardens in Colorado and Texas, and also looks at plants and gardens in many different situations and regions.
Sharon




 Edit by maggi : link added http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plant-Driven-Design-Creating-Gardens-Plants/dp/0881928771
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on February 22, 2012, 07:12:20 PM
My long awaited copy of the reprint of "A Guide to Species Irises:Their Identification and Cultivation" arrived today. It is a reprint of the original edited by The Species Group of the British Iris Society and is published by Cambridge University Press.

I've wanted to get my hands on a copy of this for a long time but baulked at paying the prices being asked for a second hand copy. Even today a copy of the original is for sale on ABE Books, from a UK based book seller for £320 plus p&p.

I may be wrong but I don't think the reprint has been updated (from the 1997 original) but it does include a Preface to the 2011 reprint in which reference is made to "....draw attention to some of the more invidious"[errors and omissions].

The Preface also includes "Sadly, for technical reasons, it has not been possible to reproduce the original plates in colour {which are now avaiable for download from www.cambridge.org/9780521206433}........." At the end of the book there are 128 black and white prints none of which are marked with the pages of the text where these species and forms are discussed. Perhaps we are spoilt by the coloured illustrations in available in modern books today and on The Internet.

Those points apart I look forward to sitting down and reading it.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ronm on February 22, 2012, 07:21:23 PM
One of mine arrived today David - £22, the other will be here in two days - £29. Both from the same supplier and both P&P free. One ordered much earlier than the other. Its good. Up to date.. no! but who is??? See I. polakii. ??? ??? ??? ???. A worthwhile addition definitely.. if anyone wants a spare one?, also 'Moleskin' gets a mention, :-X :-X :-X
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 15, 2012, 09:24:35 PM
http://peterkornstradgard.se/bok.html

Peter Korn's book.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lina Hesseling on March 15, 2012, 09:46:08 PM
Paddy, I got this week the Garden Illustrated of February. The article about the Irish snowdrops was great. It is also great they mention your good work. Indeed, fame at last! Congratulations!

Lina.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 16, 2012, 12:03:19 PM
Lina,

I have had to buy a new hat because my head had swollen so much! Fame has taken my by surprise. LOL

Re Peter's book, I do hope that an English edition is published. Peter says it is a possibility; says he will need help with translation, something I disagreed with as the translation might lose the flavour that Peter would give to the subject.

Paddy
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 21, 2012, 09:36:31 PM
Old Carnations and Pinks by Rev. C. Oscar Moreton published by George Rainbird, London, 1955.

This hard back book is only 51pp., folio, with a splendid introduction by Sacheverell Sitwell and 8 glorious colour plates by Rory McEwen together with pictorial end papers.

Anyone with an interest in heritage plants would be well advised to purchase this book (it is available on ABE, Amazon etc). I obtained my copy in Penrith, England for a ridiculously low price. Rory McEwan's paintings are beautifully executed; I defy anyone not to be bowled over by his portrayal of "Old Irish Laced Pink from Avoca". I was tempted to photograph it but I couldn't do just justice to the colour tones, so instead here a couple of others.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Casalima on March 21, 2012, 11:13:34 PM
Old Carnations and Pinks by Rev. C. Oscar Moreton published by George Rainbird, London, 1955.
I was sure that this wonderful book was in the collection my father gave me (confirmed by my LibraryThing list) but I couldn't find it! My gardening books are sadly shelved in no particular order. I finally managed to find it in the most hidden/obscure bookcase! Thank you for reminding me!
I have too many books, I know. One day I have to have a garden that lives up to my book collection!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on March 21, 2012, 11:46:06 PM
Paddy - it's really good to know about Peter Korn's book; even more encouragement to visit later in the year. I love that atmospheric cover photograph. I have only heard him speak once on his garden but imagine it would be almost possible to translate oneself from listening to him. This is a must have book...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 22, 2012, 06:18:10 PM
Tim, it is certainly one I would love to see in English. Paddy
Title: Books - a sad digression
Post by: Maggi Young on April 05, 2012, 12:07:02 AM
 News has come of the sad death of someone much involved in the world of 'alpine' books, Susan Clements of Defford, Worcestershire.

Susan Clements will have been known to AGS members both as a former volunteer at the Pershore garden and as an AGS show secretary. She worked for many years as AGS "book person" presenting them at various events, and, of course, mail order from Pershore. In this capacity AGS members will have come into contact with Susan from aross the world.
It is a great shame that Susan was not able to enjoy the long and happy retirement that she richly deserved.
Susan is survived by her husband Richard (who worked with Susan as a Show Sec.).

We send our sincere condolences to Richard, daughter Ruth and son Adrian at this sad time.

Too many of these sad notices lately.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on April 27, 2012, 12:15:20 PM
Just received a second hand book list from the following (don't know why, perhaps I've ordered from her in the past). It's a cracking list with some very good stuff on it and no doubt I'll be spending more of the kid's inheritance in the next few weeks. I can't say how competitive the prices are but, before I order, I'll be checking that. Thought I would share the details.

Valerie Merritt
17 King Edwards Road
Malvern Wells
Worcestershire
WR14 4AJ
UK

Tel: 01684 566777

valeriecmerrittATyahoo.com Replace the 'AT' with '@'
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: daveyp1970 on April 27, 2012, 12:19:01 PM
Cheers for that David,can you recommend Brian Mathews dwarf bulbs.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on April 27, 2012, 12:27:31 PM
Yes I can Dave, I couldn't but recommend anything by Brian. It's on the List at £10, as is his "The Larger Bulbs" at £20, "The Iris" at £30 and "The Genus Lewisia" at £20.

As I said it's worth checking out the market on prices, I use ABE Books.

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/?cm_ven=ggl&cm_cat=Abebooks%20UK%20-%20corporate&cm_pla=abebooks_corporate&cm_ite=abebooks%5Bexact%5D (http://www.abebooks.co.uk/?cm_ven=ggl&cm_cat=Abebooks%20UK%20-%20corporate&cm_pla=abebooks_corporate&cm_ite=abebooks%5Bexact%5D)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on May 12, 2012, 01:12:34 PM
For anyone with an interest in English Tulips I can thoroughly recommend Flames and Feathers which was published earlier this month by W&NETS. ISBN 978-0-95-323922-1.

Details on ordering etc can be obtained from the contacts page on www.tulipsociety.co.uk (http://www.tulipsociety.co.uk)

check out also http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5434.0  (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5434.0)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on May 12, 2012, 01:58:54 PM
Cheers for that David,can you recommend Brian Mathews dwarf bulbs.
Mathew's later book The Smaller Bulbs (Batsford, 1987) is more comprehensive & detailed.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on May 18, 2012, 12:46:20 PM
Apparently today is Fascination of Plants Day.  :o 
Hoo'da thunk it? ::) ... as my teens might say.

OUP is offering a 20% discount on quite a few of their botanical titles, as well as free access to some journal articles, here (http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/category/academic/promotions/humanities/webplants.do?code=webplants).

[Maggi, Kindly remove this post if considered an inappropriate commercial 'plug', albeit disinterested :)]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on June 09, 2012, 09:59:02 AM
With the great plethora of books about plants these days it can be hard to discover the real gems at times. This must have always been the case, but it is fascinating to discover the very same passion for growing plants some 180 years ago. We have several volumes of 'The Floricultural Cabinet' from the 1830's - they are beautifully illustrated with hand coloured plates, and could be said to be the version at the time of our modern day Forums. A great range of gardeners contributed - but hardly an alpine is mentioned! Having said that, an amazing variety of plants were being grown, many that it would be extremely rare to see in gardens today. These are just a few examples of the plates, which when you consider the great ease of reproduction these days, have an immense charm, and are very sensitively painted.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on June 13, 2012, 08:00:07 AM
Good books must lie at the heart of any garden, especially those with the detailed interest in plants that alpine gardeners have. Although I had heard of the famous Scotsman John Muir, who became an American, I have never read his writing until recently and this book is just so wonderful to read for anyone who has spent time alone in the mountains and just breathed in the air! He can get carried away but then someone who climbs a 100 foot tree in a gale in California, and clings to the top as it swings in a 20° arc is not the ordinary sort of person! He does it because he knows he can and that the tree will not fall down - really amazing.

Journeys in the Wilderness - A John Muir Reader

There are few writers who have written so beautifully and intimately on the Natural Environment than John Muir. He was someone of such wide ranging accomplishments and yet so grounded in his surroundings that his words sound down from late nineteenth century as though written today. He played a leading role in the conservation movement in North America, and the creation of the famous Sierra Club. He had an appreciation of Nature in way that was both detailed and yet poetic, and this is what most comes across in his writings - an immersion in his surroundings. Here is a simple paragraph as an example on 'The Water Ouzel', comparable to the lovely 'Dipper' of British streams:-

'The waterfalls of the Sierra are frequented by only one bird - the Ouzel or Water Thrush (Cinclus Mexicanus, Sw). He is a singularly joyous and lovable little fellow, about the size of a robin, clad in a plain waterproof suit of bluish gray, with a tinge of chocolate on the head and shoulders. In form he is about as smoothly plump and compact as a pebble that has been whirled in a pot-hole, the flowing contour of his body being interrupted only by his strong feet and bill, the crisp wing tips, and the up-slanted wren-like tail.'

How words can convey what you see. He has a particular love of birds and later on makes a fascinating comparison between them and flowers, which must be true of people now as then:-

'Love for songbirds, with their sweet human voices, appears to be more common and unfailing than love for flowers. Every one loves flowers to some extent, at least in life's fresh morning, attracted to them as instinctively as humming-birds and bees. Even the young Digger Indians have sufficient love for the brightest of those found growing on the mountains to gather them and braid them as decorations for the hair. And I was glad to discover, through the few Indians that could be induced to talk on the subject, that they have names for the wild rose and the lily, and other conspicuous flowers, whether available as food or otherwise. Most men, however, whether savage or civilized, become apathetic toward all plants that have no other apparent use than the use of beauty.'

John Muir wrote about birds and flowers, the mountains and the weather, the people he met, all in the same way as 'The Water Ouzel', with affection and understanding. A book for everyone to read.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on June 13, 2012, 08:14:46 AM
Beautifully put Tim.

May I also thoroughly recommend Muir's superb; 'The Mountains of California' with an excellent introduction by Bill McKibben?

A tremendous read.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on June 17, 2012, 12:51:59 PM
Great news for SRGC book lovers! The Publications Manager has come to an arrangement with Timber Press for SRGC members to get a generous discount on Timber Press titles. You will find an advert from Timber Press in the July journal and this contains a password for you to enter on the order form. The discount is at least equal to what you will get from Amazon and UK postage is free. The offer applies to all Timber Press publications, not just the selection that I offer.
To see the extensive and varied range of Timber Press titles go to:
http://www.timberpress.co.uk/ (http://www.timberpress.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on June 17, 2012, 01:21:48 PM
Congratulations David and many thanks for another excellent initiative.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 16, 2012, 09:10:54 PM
FROM the RHS:

The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Conifers.

A comprehensive guide to cultivars and species by Aris G. Auders and Derek P. Spicer.

Publication date: July 2012

ISBN: 9781907057151

 

A new reference title for conifers has been unveiled. Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Surrey, England in cooperation with Kingsblue Publishing Limited has published the Encyclopedia of Conifers: a Comprehensive Guide to Cultivars and Species. The book is already in stock and available from the warehouse in United Kingdom, Swindon. Currently the Encyclopedia is offered by a special pre-publication price and July is the last month to take advantage of this special offer at http://www.coniferworld.com/order.php. (http://www.coniferworld.com/order.php.)

 

This two-volume, lavishly and extensively illustrated encyclopedia is a much needed, complete reference book covering all recognised conifer cultivars and species, both hardy and tropical. The 1,500-page work features names, synonyms, and brief descriptions, as well as information about height and spread after 10 years, where known, for over 8,000 cultivars and all 615 conifer species, plus their subspecies and varieties. Apart from the descriptive text, it is illustrated with more than 5,000 photographs, which have been taken especially for this encyclopedia. More than 500 species and 5,000 cultivars are depicted in high quality photographs, many taken in private collections in northern Europe, Japan and the USA.

 

The species and their descriptions follow the most recent botanical classification (Farjon, 2010) and the cultivar information has been compiled with reference to the RHS International Conifer Register and Checklist, including as yet unpublished data. There is unique appendix listing all the principle conifer collectors, nurseries, arboreta and individuals responsible for introducing new cultivars over the last three centuries. The book is designed to meet the needs of professional as well as amateur gardeners.

 

Aris G. Auders, a conifer collector and photographer, and Derek P. Spicer, chairman of the British Conifer Society, have been working on this book for 7 years. The authors have been assisted by Lawrie Springate, RHS International Conifer Cultivar Registrar and Victoria Matthews, RHS International Registrar.

 

Author and broadcaster Roy Lancaster states in the Foreword:" The authors are committed and knowledgeable conifer enthusiasts who have been supported by a wealth of international expertise and experience. The book is claimed to be the most comprehensive account of its kind. Its authors and their helpers have delivered a truly monumental account of a major group of woody plants."

 

You can find more information, as well as text and photo samples of the encyclopedia at www.coniferworld.com (http://www.coniferworld.com).

A copy of this hard cover edition, two volumes, 1,500 pages book can be ordered from publisher at http://www.coniferworld.com/order.php. (http://www.coniferworld.com/order.php.) July is the last month to take advantage of a special pre-publication price - 120 GBP for two volume set of the RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers.


Armands Jurjevs

Encyclopedia of Conifers

Email: info@conifer-encyclopedia.com

www.coniferworld.co.uk (http://www.coniferworld.co.uk)
 

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ChrisB on August 07, 2012, 07:28:40 PM
i get some interesting enclosures when I get membership renewals.  Today I got a business card from Mike and Liz Fraser who have a book published by kew called The Smallest Kingdom: Plants and Plant Collectors at the Cape of Good Hope.  Thought forumists might like to know.  I know nothing about it though....

Cheers

Christine 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 07, 2012, 07:36:38 PM
Here's  link to the Fraser's  website...  http://www.thesmallestkingdom.co.uk/ (http://www.thesmallestkingdom.co.uk/)  ... very interesting!

 added later : I had quite forgotten hat I had read a review of the Fraser's book at the end of last year in John Grimshaw's blog....http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/good-reads.html (http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/good-reads.html)   - some other good reads listed there too.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ronm on August 07, 2012, 07:54:06 PM
It does look very interesting, and such a reasonable price. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 02, 2012, 04:35:32 AM
I've just received a nice book for Father's Day (which is today in New Zealand): "Ghosts of Gondwana - The History of Life in New Zealand" by George Gibbs. It traces how the current day plants and animals got here.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on September 02, 2012, 09:28:21 AM
Anthony - do you know those two beautifully produced books by Mary White, 'The Greening of Gondwana' and 'After the Greening'? Not surprisingly they are largely centred on Australia. The book you mention sounds very interesting for anyone with a fascination in Southern Hemisphere flora and fauna - I've always found the connections across the different continents completely intriguing.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 02, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
Tim. Don't know those books, but the Ghosts of Gondwana fitted, especially as I've become fascinated with the native fauna and flora here. I have to doubt George's reasoning for the Kiwis naming the occasional migrant butterfly Hypolimnas bolina the blue moon because that's how often you are likely to see one (I saw one in Kerikeri last year). I think it has more to do with the large white circular spot surrounded by iridescent blue on it hind wings! http://www.flickr.com/photos/rstickney/4416250730/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rstickney/4416250730/#)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 02, 2012, 11:08:53 PM
I'll look for that Anthony at the UBS probably. It sounds interesting. According to someone ??? many of our most "Iconic" and positively NZ creatures originated in Australia! That's a worry.

Bought a Kobo ereader yesterday.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 03, 2012, 04:26:57 AM
Whether they originated in Australia or not they either came with the land mass or migrated here subsequently, e.g. the buttercups, including the ancestor of the Mount Cook buttercup, only got here 2 million years ago. It's a fascinating read. I'm learning about the kakapo and the short tailed bat, both lek breeders!

What authors do you read Lesley?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on September 03, 2012, 06:41:44 AM
Did someone mention 'Buttercups'?  LOL.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 05, 2012, 09:41:29 AM
Finished "Ghost of Gondwana". Learned new words like divarication, and that many of the animals are ghosts of Gondwana but the plants arrived here later; that man has caused the most dramatic reduction in New Zealand fauna but not so much to the flora, just added to it. In the 18th century they were hell bent on replacing the dull native fauna with familiar animals from home, like the flocks of goldfinches I see every morning, feeding on the football pitch grass heads, and rabbits, whose droppings, alas, seem to form part of Heidi's diet, and all the other vermin. In fact "the attitude of the day (Victorian times), exemplified by influential naturalist Walter Buller, was that the loss of the remarkable endemic life, especially the birds, was inevitable. He did his bit by shooting rare birds for museums of the world before it was too late". It contains many colour photos, including the only coloured photo of the last flightless New Zealand wren (no, not the species annihilated by the lighthouse keepers cat).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on September 05, 2012, 10:31:51 PM
Although goldfinches are widespread here I've never seen them in the big flocks that occur in NZ.

Years (15 or so?) ago I had a fascinating book about conservation of the most threatened NZ bird species, possibly published alongside a series on NZ TV.  Then it was lent, I forget to whom, and unfortunately never returned :'(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 06, 2012, 08:07:28 AM
I was looking up Buller's "Birds of New Zealand" and discovered the price for a 1st edition is NZ$12000 and a second edition NZ$8000. Hand original coloured plates from the book range from NZ$250 to NZ$650! Here's a compromise: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapaPress/FullCatalogue/NaturalHistory/Pages/BullersBirdsofNewZealand.aspx (http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/TePapaPress/FullCatalogue/NaturalHistory/Pages/BullersBirdsofNewZealand.aspx)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on September 06, 2012, 08:15:17 AM
It is interesting that birds seem to catch the attention so much more than plants when one thinks about conservation. Inevitable, along with animal life in general. It's more difficult to empathise with a plant! But there are not many Gerald Durrell's about, whereas the opportunity to grow and learn about plants in your own garden is so much greater...but there are a couple of books on 'Birds of Paradise' that I have just come across - will I be converted from phytophile to ornithophile? Maybe! I don't think any of my plant books will reach such heights.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: brianw on September 09, 2012, 03:45:42 PM
If you Google "RHS Encyclopedia Brickell Google books" one link you get is to Google trying presumably to sell you the book/ebook, but if you click on view ebook and then view sample, you seem to get the whole book on screen. Some sample!

http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/RHS_Encyclopedia_of_Plants_and_Flowers.html?id=qyJpSQAACAAJ (http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/RHS_Encyclopedia_of_Plants_and_Flowers.html?id=qyJpSQAACAAJ)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: brianw on September 09, 2012, 03:53:04 PM
Well almost all of it. Seems to miss out odd pages. I don't have the original of this version to know how relevant the missed bits are.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on September 18, 2012, 09:35:47 AM
As someone who likes learning about plants I can't grow (pretty well everything), I have long been fascinated by small ericaceous species like those that Barry Starling is so famed for growing. These seem to be a group that no comprehensive books have been written about, and even dwarf rhododendrons have only been covered by Peter Cox back in the 1970's? Does anyone know of a more recent book? Or if something might be in the pipeline? There must be great interest in these plants in the north and west.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on September 19, 2012, 08:26:36 AM
I don't know of anything current or in the offing, Tim. I will watch this post with interest to see if anyone can suggest something.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on September 19, 2012, 08:31:31 AM
Hardy Heathers from the Northern Hemisphere, E. Charles Nelson, Kew Books, HB, £60

From a review of this book:

It may come as a surprise, but heathers seem to be making a comeback in popularity as garden plants. However, Charles Nelson’s book has little to do with these. His interest, as it has been for many years, is in heathers, Calluna, Daboecia and Erica species, growing naturally in the northern hemisphere. This is a monograph for the botanist, ecologist and conservationist though hardly for the general hobby gardener. Distribution, history, conservation, classification and cultivation are covered in detail. Colour photographs, maps and line drawings augment a precisely written and comprehensive text.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 19, 2012, 10:53:54 AM
I've met a few hardy Heathers in my time. 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on September 19, 2012, 11:11:07 AM
... And a couple of Erica's, no doubt!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on September 19, 2012, 01:58:14 PM
One of the first books I bought was Alfred Evans' 'The Peat Garden and its Plants', £2.50 in 1977 from The Landsman's Bookshop' - apparently I still owe 16p for underpayment on postage! This was published in 1974 and perhaps I should still be happy with it - it is really comprehesive and well written. No one today would dare use, or admit to using, peat, apart perhaps from those who still grow these plants well, but this form of gardening is really fascinating especially for those of us who just dream of pyrolas, diapensia, and nomocharis in the garden!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on October 18, 2012, 09:18:29 AM
Gunter Waldorf's book, "Snowdrops", the English edition,  has arrived in the post. I think it is a very nice addition to snowdrop literature, an excellent introduction to the beginner yet with much of interest for the enthusiast. It has a good selection of the snowdrops we all hold in high regard, those worth their place in any collection and also an extensive selection of the very rare.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: daveyp1970 on October 31, 2012, 12:14:10 PM
Can somebody tell me if there is a book out there that covers the genus muscari?I can't find one in amazon.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Diane Clement on October 31, 2012, 07:22:05 PM
Can somebody tell me if there is a book out there that covers the genus muscari?I can't find one in amazon.

not a book, but an excellent on line resource, first published in The Plantfinder: Little Blue Bulbs - a report from the RHS trials on Muscari and related genera.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/planttrials/TrialReports/Hyacinthaceae%20hardy%202003.pdf (http://apps.rhs.org.uk/planttrials/TrialReports/Hyacinthaceae%20hardy%202003.pdf)

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/PDFs/Plant-trials-and-awards/Plant-bulletins/hyacinthaceae (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/PDFs/Plant-trials-and-awards/Plant-bulletins/hyacinthaceae)

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: daveyp1970 on October 31, 2012, 08:25:27 PM
not a book, but an excellent on line resource, first published in The Plantfinder: Little Blue Bulbs - a report from the RHS trials on Muscari and related genera.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/planttrials/TrialReports/Hyacinthaceae%20hardy%202003.pdf (http://apps.rhs.org.uk/planttrials/TrialReports/Hyacinthaceae%20hardy%202003.pdf)

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/PDFs/Plant-trials-and-awards/Plant-bulletins/hyacinthaceae (https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/PDFs/Plant-trials-and-awards/Plant-bulletins/hyacinthaceae)

Diane thank you so much
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2012, 04:50:29 PM
A seasonal  offer from Timber Press in the UK: http://www.timberpress.co.uk/ (http://www.timberpress.co.uk/)
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 12, 2012, 10:14:57 AM
Another Christmas offering:

Dear Sir or Madam,
In the spirit of the Christmas season we offer 15% discount for all orders of  RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers placed during the period from December 10th – January 15th.
Please visit our webpage www.coniferworld.com (http://www.coniferworld.com) to order the Encyclopedia.

RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers was published in the fall of 2012 and  has been well accepted by media representatives, conifer and gardening professionals as well as gardening enthusiasts world wide.

Many book reviews were published in different media, like Horticulture Week, The Gardening Times, The Sun as well as many others and we are proud of having so positive feedback.

Please visit our homepage www.coniferworld.com (http://www.coniferworld.com) section Reviews&Publications to read some of them.

Wishing Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sincerely Yours,

Encyclopedia of Conifers



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 12, 2012, 09:12:47 PM
Remember those days (doesn't seem that long ago!) when Christmas neared and letters arrived from various Aunts "Didn't know what to buy for you so here's a "tenner", get something for yourself". No-one left to do that now for me but just in case you have here's just a few suggestions from the second-hand market that caught my eye. All available currently from the ABE Books Web Site from UK based book-sellers. Prices are net of post and package. I have more on my list if anyone is interested!

Gray Alec. Miniature Daffodils, Collingridge 1955, £13.00
Green Roy. Asiatic Primulas, AGS 1976, £2.00
Grey-Wilson Christopher and Mathews Victoria, Gardening on Walls, Collins 1983, £0.64. We had a thread about this recently.
Hughes Sophie, Carnations and Pinks, Crowood Press 1999, £0.63
Ingwerson Will, The Dianthus, Collins 1949, £2.00
Lowe Duncan, Growing Alpines in Raised Beds, Troughs and Tufa, Batsford 1991, £6.87
Philipson and Hearn, Rock Garden Plants of the Southern Alps, (NOTE: NEW ZEALAND) Caxton Press, £4.92
Richards E C, Our New Zealand Trees and Flowers, Simpson and Williams 1956, £8.00
Salmon John T,  A Field Guide to the Alpine Plants of New Zealand, Godwit 1992, £12.00 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 14, 2012, 09:11:57 PM
"Hortus Veitchii".
Caradoc Doy has produced a facsimile edition of this book to mark the centenary of its original publication. There is information on the book on this web site:
http://www.caradocdoy.co.uk/veitch_nursery/hortus_veitchii/book_details (http://www.caradocdoy.co.uk/veitch_nursery/hortus_veitchii/book_details)
RRP is £95 but our members have been offered copies at £35 inc. p&p to anywhere in the world.
I think that orders should come to me for onward processing but am not sure about this. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy of this book send me a pm or email and I will confirm what needs to be done.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 14, 2012, 09:22:10 PM
Good price David!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Leena on December 15, 2012, 12:59:26 PM
What book would you recommend for best information about Erythroniums?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 15, 2012, 02:42:52 PM
Leena, there isn't a book about  Erythroniums really. There is an old article by Elmer Applegate (1930s) on the western American species
 Ian Young has written articles for the SRGC journal and also the AGS.
There is a lot in his ten years of Bulb Logs, too, of course, since these are his favourite bulbs. http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb)

There will be a little article on E. sibericum in the next issue of the International Rock Gardener.
 ;)

Also on the SRGC Website is a great series of 5 articles from Ed Alverson, on his project to see all the North American species....."My big erythronium year"  http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/content.html (http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/content.html)

edit to add -  Ian Young's e-book - Erythroniums in Cultivation -  in pdf form - 278 pages in full colour - is available to  download, free, via this link :
http://www.srgc.net/filessub/general/ERYTHRONIUMS-IN-CULTIVATION%20-2016-IanYoung.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Leena on December 15, 2012, 04:11:59 PM
Thank you Maggi.  :)
I have read Ian Young's Bulb Log, and that is what has made me interested in Erythroniums  :)
The only flowering size Erythronium I have is 'Padoga', but I have sown a lot of seeds last year, and hopefully get more from the Seed Exchange this year. I want to be sure to give them right conditions when the seedlings grow, so that is what made me want to have a book about them.
I had not read "My big Erythronium Year" articles, so thanks for the link.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on December 15, 2012, 04:53:34 PM
Maggi, there is also Ian's article on Growing Erythroniums, the one in three parts. You were kind enough to send me copies on PDF files some years ago. I thought it came from the old Web Site but I've had a look and can't find it. (that doesn't mean it isn't there of course, you know what blokes are like when they are looking for something ::)  ) I still have the files and would be happy to send them on to Leena if she will send me her personal email address to my personal email address.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 15, 2012, 06:38:32 PM
Re: Ian's three part article on growing Erythronium, as mentioned by David- I'd forgotten I had those here- I was going to ask Ian  :-\
I'll send them to you, Leena
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Leena on December 16, 2012, 07:46:58 AM
David, thank you for the offer. :)
Maggi, thank you for the articles, what a wonderful surprise when I opened the computer. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 29, 2012, 05:41:09 PM
18. Asirda Lâle [The Tulip in the 18th Century] by Ekrem Hakki Ayverdi

In the 1950s, Ekrem Ayverdi (1899-1984), a noted architectural historian and devotee of Ottoman culture, chanced on an album of tulip paintings in his native Istanbul.

The album, of quarto size, with a contemporary goat-skin and a gilded cover with a bossed, sun motif, contains 49 representations of tulips, one multi-flowered narcissus (a jonquil) and a single, poorly executed red-flowered cyclamen. The first four pictures are mounted on decorative collage pages with the rest on unadorned paper. Forty-four of the tulips are named, of which seven are repeated. The names are in Arabic, Farsi or Turkish, written in Arabic script.

So taken was Ayverdi with the beauty of the album that he resolved to find out more and sought to establish when and by whom the work was produced. By making comparisons with other works and investigating written information, the quality and type of paper and paints he was able to establish that the work was of the 18th century. Further research with reference to known dates by which various tulips and their cultivars had been named enabled him to establish that the work had been produced between 1726 and 1730. Ayverdi noted that the Defter-i Lâlezâr-i Istanbul, the register which gives over one thousand names of tulips grown between 1681-1726, includes 31 of the 37 named in the album, one appearing first in 1725/26. In addition, 24 of the varieties in the album are listed, with their prices, in the Narkh Defteri, the register of the Kadi (the Canon Law judge) of Istanbul for 1726. Since by 1750 the name of only one of the 37 varieties is found in the Risâle-i esami-i Lâle, a treatise on tulip names, Ayverdi concluded that the album dates from circa 1725, when the appreciation of tulips in Istanbul was at its height.

With a small selection of the pictures together with an introductory essay from Ayverdi about his investigations, a pamphlet was published by Kemal Press in the 1950s. It is likely that a book with the full range of illustrations from the album would have been too expensive for an independent publisher to produce. In later years Ayverdi disposed of the album in order to fund the publication of some works on architecture. Through various transactions the album made its way to auction in 1998 when it was sold for £111,500. A few years prior to its sale at auction a number of the pictures were reproduced in a book by the Turkish botanist Dr Turhan Baytop entitled Istanbul Lâlesi [The Tulip of Istanbul]. 

In 2006 the original Ayverdi essay together with all the album pictures was reproduced and published by Kubbealti Neşriyâti.  And just as Ayverdi had done so some 60 years earlier I chanced on this facsimile in an Istanbul bookstore and was similarly captivated and beguiled by the exquisite paintings.

The tulips are portrayed in a stylised form reminiscent of Tulipa acuminate.  The leaves are shown, in most representations, as being undulate. The flowers, delicately shaded in soft pink, carmine red, purple, orange, yellow and cream in whole or streaked colours, conform to the criteria required of the tulip in the Mizan'1 Ezhar (The Habit of Flowers), the authoritative treatise on the subject of the cultivation of flowers written in 1703 by Mehmed Lâlezari.

Though the tulips are shown without adornment, the scarlet flowered Nize-i-rummâni (‘the pomegranate –coloured lance’) is presented in an exquisite, cobalt-blue glass vase.  Ayverdi mentions that this tulip was the most expensive and was sold in the early 18th century for a price of seven and a half gold Turkish lira. He also mentions that the Nâib-I Krali (‘the regent’) was exchanged for 2 carts of oats, 4 carts of barley, 4 fat oxen, 12 fat sheep, 8 fat pigs, 2 barrels of wine, 4 barrels of beer, 2 barrels of butter, the equivalent of 50 kilos of cheese, one bedstead, a suit of clothing and a silver vase – and we thought that the apogee of tulipmania was in the Netherlands!

As Ayvedi says in his introductory paragraph “…this graceful blossom [of the tulip] became the sumbol of an entire epoch, and gave its name to an era. The Occidental Turks loved all flowers with unrestrained exuberance. Within the fellowship of Islamic civilization, it was solely the Turks who adopted the flower as an element, creating a distinctive and personal universe of ornamentation in architecture and in tiles. But the passion for tulips so far surpassed the affection for other flowers that it became a world in its own right.”

That affection is clear in the wonderful and evocative names given to many of the tulips in the album: ‘the augmenter of joy’, ‘the heart-breaker’ and ‘the bringer of joy’. But it is not only emotions that are evoked, senses managed to be affected, for it is interesting to note that one of the tulips, a carmine red with a white ground, is given the Arabic name which translates as ‘scented’. And though I stand to be corrected, I am not aware of any current tulip which has scent discernable to human olfactory senses.

If you should be in Istanbul I thoroughly recommend searching for a copy of the book: it is more likely to be found in a book shop rather than the book bazaar. There are a few English language copies available but they are hard to track down. The Turkish version will give equal pleasure. I’m sure that a few hours on the internet may prove fruitful in securing a good second-hand copy and whilst the price for such a copy may seem relatively high it won’t be anywhere near that charged at auction for the original album!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on December 29, 2012, 10:27:02 PM
What a tremendous story! This must be the same book that Martyn Rix refers to in his recent book 'The Golden Age of Botanical Art', and there is a picture there of one of those amazing acuminate tulips. So presumably the 'species' sold as acuminata is really one highly developed by selection - fascinating how the aesthetic tastes of different horticultural cultures result in such different plants.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 30, 2012, 12:32:59 PM
Tim

Tulipa acuminata is indeed a hybrid of unknown parentage.

It was named botanically in 1813 (Vahl) and the name stuck.

There is a representation in Redoute's work on Liliaces where it is titled as Tulipa cornuta.

A couple of photograph's taken of the images within the book.

I should  have mentioned that my review is reproduced from the W&NETS 2012 Annual Journal.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerry Webster on December 30, 2012, 01:03:50 PM
Extremely interesting Frazer.

I think the Turkish botanist "Dr Turban Baytop" should be Turhan Baytop, after whom Crocus baytopiorum is named.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 30, 2012, 06:59:25 PM
Gerry - thanks, a keen eye - drafting infelicity now corrected
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 31, 2012, 03:03:36 PM
Lorraine Green and Marcela Ferreyra : Flowers of the Patagonian Steppe

  Vazquez Mazzini Editores       www.vmeditores.com.ar (http://www.vmeditores.com.ar)


"A field guide to recognise the main species of the plants of the Patagonian Steppe, selected for their abundance, beauty and adaptations.

With attractive and detailed drawings in ink and watercolour, this guide describes in accessible language and with scientific accuracy the botanical features of each species, observations for their identification, scientific and common names, uses, flowering period, possibilities for cultivation, habitat, distribution, among other useful information. It also includes a botanical and medical glossary, as well as a list of the species present in the area. "

The unusual beauty of the Flora of the Patagonian Steppe.

250 species described – More than 300 colour illustrations

 see Here: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9907.msg262911#msg262911 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9907.msg262911#msg262911)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 11, 2013, 10:52:57 AM
I was in Paper Plus book shop today and spotted a new book on penguins. Had a flick through, but was most disappointed. All the photographs were in black and white! :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on January 11, 2013, 11:04:47 AM
What a gent oo are, Anthony!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 11, 2013, 11:26:49 AM
Apart from that, it was adelie-tful book Cliff. 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on January 11, 2013, 11:48:04 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on February 07, 2013, 02:14:53 PM
Just arrived from New Zealand (many thanks Steve), a copy of the WONDERFUL 'Above the Treeline' (A nature guide to alpine New Zealand) by Alan F. Mark.

This magnificent field guide to New Zealand's rich and diverse alpine environment features 472 pages, more than 1150 colour photographs, two maps and includes detailed descriptions of more than 675 species of flowering plants.

The ISBN is 978-1-877517-76-1 and it is published by Craig Potton Publishing.  The superb images include contributions by forum members, Steve Newall, David Lyttle, Dave Logan, Dave Toole and many others.

Thoroughly recommended (even if the recommendation happens to come from a New Zealand plant devotee).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 07, 2013, 02:44:27 PM
Links to the publisher of 'Above the Treeline' here:

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9883.msg266119#msg266119 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9883.msg266119#msg266119)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 11, 2013, 10:41:22 PM
Maggi, I was intending to bring a copy of this for you and Ian but then I thought it may already be with you from say, the Study Weekend or someone else. If you don't have/get it soon, let me know please. It is a lovely book and a good size (not too large for a field trip).

There was a good article about Alan Mark in the ODT the weekend I was at Lincoln, well worth keeping, and also one about Pat and Keith Stuart of Wanaka (also at Lincoln), whose garden has just been declared a "Garden of National Significance." Don't know how Pat has time for it with all that water skiing, and she a mere 85 years old.   :D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 11, 2013, 10:52:10 PM
Lesley, that would be super. We hadn't asked anyone from the Study Weekend to get it for us so your offer is gratefully received!


 Oops, was going to quote  you and got muddled.... fixed now ...
Quote
Pat and Keith Stuart of Wanaka (also at Lincoln), whose garden has just been declared a "Garden of National Significance." Don't know how Pat has time for it with all that water skiing, and she a mere 85 years old.
You know what they say - "Ask a busy woman" .... that must be her secret.  What a fantastic honour for the garden and the Stuarts.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 14, 2013, 05:58:19 AM
Just got my copy of "Above the Treeline" by Alan F. Mark (Craig Potton Publishing). What a lovely book. Amazing photographs, some taken by at least three of our Forumists. Not only does it deal with the flora, but there are sections on fauna too: reptiles, birds and invertebrates. $49 post free in NZ is a superb deal for a book of 472 pages! 8) (Posted this on the Wildlife thread too.) I only ordered it on 12th Feb!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 14, 2013, 08:48:40 AM
It will be in my luggage Maggi. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on February 14, 2013, 09:19:35 AM
This book only seems to be available directly from the publisher (or a NZ friend). I have been unable to get copies to sell through the SRGC and I see that even Amazon does not have it.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 15, 2013, 06:19:37 AM
Fishpond advertise it at $10 less, but don't have it in stock. http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Above-Treeline-Sir-Alan-Mark/9781877517761 (http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Above-Treeline-Sir-Alan-Mark/9781877517761)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 15, 2013, 09:58:00 AM
A member in NZ suggests that this site may be helpful for those wishing to source  "Above the Treeline" -
http://www.touchwoodbooks.co.nz/new-zealand/Natives (http://www.touchwoodbooks.co.nz/new-zealand/Natives)
Thanks for the tip, Adrian  :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on March 22, 2013, 11:41:38 AM
Genus Cyclamen - my copies of this book arrived this morning and I will have it on display at the Edinburgh show. It is a large and comprehensive book seeming to cover everything you could imagine about cyclamen. The Cyclamen Society had a very good offer to members for purchase of the book so I would suggest that those who are CS members to check and see if the offer is still open.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on March 22, 2013, 02:32:33 PM
That's good news, David.  I hope mine arrives soon.  I ordered it through the Cyclamen society.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lvandelft on April 02, 2013, 10:54:46 PM
Going Wild for Tulips

For anyone with an interest in wild tulips pictured in nature I can thoroughly recommend this little booklet by Eric Breed.
There are 42 species beautiful photographed in their habitat in for instance Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, but also in Crete and Switzerland.
The photos are made over several years by Eric Breed, Wim Lemmers, Marijn van den Brink, Sjaak de Groot, Arie Peterse and most trips were guided by Vladimir Kolbintsjev.
The price of this little booklet is € 9,95 excl. p. p.
 Details on ordering etc. can be obtained from Eric Breed: info@tulippictures.eu


Title: Peter Korn's book in English
Post by: Maggi Young on July 17, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
"Peter Korns Garden : giving plants what they want"

The English version of Peter's book is now available,  see here for more info :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10656.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10656.0)

I have bought it   - if you read Swedish, buy the Swedish version- but do buy it!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on September 03, 2013, 07:28:57 PM
Calling all Neo-galanthophiles (apparently Galathophiles lived in the 19th C ).
Better late than never, Freda Cox's' book 'A gardeners Guide to Snowdrops' (Crowood Press) has finally hit the shelves. It covers just about everything to do with snowdrops from their history, how to grow them, descriptions of species and varieties, snowdrop people etc, etc. To my mind it is good value at £35 and the only thing that might put you off is the pictures of a couple of Forumists!
It will be available for viewing at the Discussion W/E and the AGM.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 19, 2013, 03:55:44 PM
I've heard from Karen Platt - devotee of Black Plants  etc, that she has a special discount on offer

Karen writes : Don't miss our exclusive offer - 50 percent discount on all printed books whilst stocks last. Extra 5 per cent off if order received by 27 Sept 2013. Send your enquiry today - excellent for Xmas or your garden club.
Contact me now to place your order on the email below.

Author of multi-edition garden books.

http://www.karenplatt.co.uk/50-percent-book-offer/ (http://www.karenplatt.co.uk/50-percent-book-offer/)
k@karenplatt.co.uk

------------------------
Karen Platt
35 Longfield Road, Crookes
Sheffield, S10 1QW
Tel: +44 (0) 114 268 1700
www.karenplatt.co.uk (http://www.karenplatt.co.uk)

Latest ebooks
The Seed Search 8th ed
Black Iris
Lavenders
4th edition Black Magic and Purple Passion -650 new black plants
The best of Black Plants
Tulips
Fruit Cocktail - fabulous orange, apricot and peach tones for the garden
2,000 Tomatoes
The Seed Search 7th edition


Titles in print
Lifestyle Gardening ISBN 0954576462 - get the look, the style, make the garden
Black Magic and Purple Passion ISBN 095457642X
Gold Fever ISBN 0954576411
Silver Lining ISBN 0954576438
Emeralds ISBN 0954576446


Seed Search 5th Edition ISBN 095288108X
Seed Sowing & Growing Success ISBN 0954576403
Plant Synonyms ISBN 0954576454
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 10, 2013, 01:23:49 PM
Going Wild for Tulips

For anyone with an interest in wild tulips pictured in nature I can thoroughly recommend this little booklet by Eric Breed.
There are 42 species beautiful photographed in their habitat in for instance Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, but also in Crete and Switzerland.
The photos are made over several years by Eric Breed, Wim Lemmers, Marijn van den Brink, Sjaak de Groot, Arie Peterse and most trips were guided by Vladimir Kolbintsjev.
The price of this little booklet is € 9,95 excl. p. p.
 Details on ordering etc. can be obtained from Eric Breed: info@tulippictures.eu

I picked up a copy of this book when last over in the Netherlands - the quality of the photographs make the book. There's a review of it by Richard Wilford in the 2013 issue of the Daffodil, Snowdrop and Tulip Yearbook. The Yearbook also has articles on:

- Cretan tulips (John Page)
- T. sylvestris in Yorkshire, UK
- Division 2 all-white daffodils (Brian Duncan)
- breeding miniature daffodils (Harold Koopowitz)
- an appreciation of Karel van der Veek
- daffodils in northern Spain
- a review of N. bulbocodium
- a review of hot-water treatment of daffodils
- climate change and daffodils
- rust on daffodils

together with articles on snowdrops by Matt Bishop, Kit Grey-Wilson and Alan Street as well as show reviews and various notes.  It's a damn good read. £11.95 from RHS or John Gibson at gibbo.john@ntlworld.com or see [url]johngibson-daffodils.co.uk[/url
Title: For Books you may like to buy.........
Post by: Maggi Young on December 04, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
A Christmas Offer from Timber Press  : To gain a 30% discount on all titles and, for those in the UK,  free postage in.......Visit their  website  (http://www.timberpress.co.uk/home)and enter the code: FESTIVE30 at the checkout to get the discount on your order.
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 11, 2013, 05:39:18 PM
I have just taken receipt of three new books that some may find of interest. The first two are Kew monographs and the first thing I noticed about both was the increase in size and weight, the increase in valuable content and, of course the price. However, they are just as important and value-for-money as the earlier monograph titles.
The first is the brand new, ie this month, 'The Genus Tulipa' by Diana Everett. Whilst Diana is better known as a talented botanical illustrator she seems to have done her homework and shows an in-depth knowledge of the genus. Each of the many species has a two page spread with a written description, photo and detailed illustration all kept nicely together.
The second monograph, 'Hardy Heathers' by Charles Nelson actually came out in 2011 but I have only just got a copy. Charles is more verbose than Diana and gives more background 'chat' on the different species and their many, many named forms and varieties. The book is again illustrated with many photos and some illustrations.
I am sure that most of us dream of taking photographs to rival those shown on this web site - IRG, Bulb Log and the other various blogs, articles and diaries. The latest book to try and help us on our journey is Crowood press's 'Close-up and Macro Photography, by John Humphry. John explains the use equipment from compact cameras to, what now seem to be called, interchangeable lens cameras and how to get the best use out of them. Most of the photography is based on flowers but he also includes insects and inert objects.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Shaw on December 24, 2013, 06:06:40 PM
“The Crossley ID Guide Britain & Ireland”
I know that this is a plant site but I also know that a very large number of you are also birders, so I would like to tell you about a new bird guide that we have just bought. I find most bird guides to be excellent if you are looking at stuffed specimens in a museum where all the labels have been removed, but challenging to use in the field. The Crossley Guide uses a completely different format in that for each species there is a large, composite picture showing the birds in different attitudes and at different distances away from the observer, one picture likely to be exactly as you are seeing the bird in the field. The book was only published in October; we received our copy on Friday and already are finding it to be of great use.
I don’t think that the book is likely to be easily available except from Amazon (30% off) . Go to the Amazon site and copy/paste the title above into their search engine and you will find that they have a ‘look inside’ feature. Look at this for yourself and make your own mind up. I can recommend it.
Oh, and a Merry Christmas to you all from the Publications Department!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 27, 2013, 09:47:05 PM
Many of us have been waiting for a long time to hear of the publication date of a book from the AGS by  the SRGC's most generous  plantspeople Margaret and Henry Taylor.
It seems the book, in the Mountain Flower Walk series, will be published early in  2014.
The Taylors' subject is the Picos and the Pyrenees - they are amply qualified to write on these areas and  give advice to others wishing to enjoy plant spotting hikes in these mountains. 

See the pre-publication offer here on the AGS website : http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/flora/Mountain+Flower+Walks+The+Pyrenees+and+the+Picos/310/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/flora/Mountain+Flower+Walks+The+Pyrenees+and+the+Picos/310/)


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2014, 02:53:00 PM
Forthcoming Pulsatilla Book :
Christopher Grey Wilson has decided to self-publish his new title "Pasque Flowers" -  details below

[attachimg=1]
front cover

PASQUE-FLOWERS
The Genus Pulsatilla
A Guide for Gardeners, Horticulturists and Botanists

Christopher Grey-Wilson

Closely related to the anemones, pulsatillas or pasque-flowers are amongst the most exquisite of all mountain plants and an essential element in any alpine garden. This is the first book devoted to these charming and eagerly sought plants. The work is not only a survey of the genus and the identification of the various species but it also examines, in detail, their cultivation and place in the garden. All this is aided by sumptuous photographs of the species in the wild and in cultivation.

Christopher Grey-Wilson retired in 2011 as Editor of the Alpine Garden Society after twenty-one years. Before that, from 1968-1989, he was a Principal Scientific Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. He has travelled widely in the mountains of Europe and Asia, in particular, and has written many books and articles over the years; Clematis, Cyclamen, Dionysia, as well as guides to European alpine plants, Mediterranean flowers, the flowers of western China and poppies. He was awarded a VMH by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2007 for ‘outstanding  service to horticulture’.

This book is a limited edition restricted to just 300 copies. Each copy will be numbered and signed by the author.

Book details:
Type: Hardback Cased - Facepaper
Size: 340 x 270 mm portrait
Pages: 216
Colour plates: 278
Maps: 2
Publication date: 15 January 2014
ISBN: 978-0-900048-76-6

Price per copy: £36.00

Post & packing per copy:
(Special rates possible for orders of 3 copies or more)
UK: add £3.50
EU Airmail: add £5.00
Elsewhere surface mail: add £6.50

Please email details of orders giving your name, address and payment method
Email: c.grey-wilson@talk21.com

Payment details:
Cheques made payable to Dr C. Grey-Wilson, Red Lion Barn,
East Church Street, Kenninghall, Norfolk, NR16 2EP, UK.

Direct payments
UK
Bank Sort Code 40-15-22; Account Number: 31817876

EU and elsewhere
IBAN (International Bank Account Number) GB57MIDL40152231817876
Swift Code/BIC: MIDLGB22
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pauli on January 11, 2014, 05:32:11 PM
Perhaps I am a little bit too nervous ???

I have emailed Mr. Grey-Wilson with an order for three books and asked for the reduced shipping rate - no answer in a week. I really want to get to books and there are only 300 of them....
Is Mr. Grey-Wilson absent?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2014, 05:47:16 PM
Herbert,
I believe there are several people waiting for a reply from C. Grey-Wilson - perhaps he is away or he may simply be disorganised.

I think there are still a majority of the 300 to be sold.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 11, 2014, 06:44:07 PM
Maggi - if he is disorganised then he is not the only one! I think a bit more patience is in order.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pauli on January 12, 2014, 11:36:16 AM
Patience is not my strongest virtue :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2014, 12:13:23 PM
Patience is not my strongest virtue :P
     ;D ;D

While we are in the realm of old sayings, we might add that 'ounctuality sorry that should be  punctuality is the politeness of kings'  and that 'the customer is always right' !  ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 12, 2014, 02:53:40 PM
Oh Maggi you've obviously never run a nursery! What's the saying about pleasing all of the people some of the time...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2014, 03:26:07 PM
Twelve years of  selling from a Bulb List, Tim, though I'm not sure what the relevance is......
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Olive Mason on January 13, 2014, 04:53:07 PM
 I emailed Chris Grey-Wilson to reserve a copy of his book and received a very prompt reply reserving me a copy which will be posted at the end of the month.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2014, 04:58:02 PM
Excellent news, Olive - so  at least we know he's about.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lori S. on January 13, 2014, 07:41:09 PM
I emailed Chris Grey-Wilson to reserve a copy of his book and received a very prompt reply reserving me a copy which will be posted at the end of the month.
Me too!  Can't wait!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pauli on January 17, 2014, 12:29:53 PM
No response yet :'(

Did you order via this e-mail:  c.grey-wilson@talk21.com?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lori S. on January 17, 2014, 06:11:20 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on January 19, 2014, 09:31:42 PM
I can't resist mentioning this book because it is one of the most beautifully written and illustrated that I have come across: 'Plant Discoveries - A Botanist's Voyage Through Plant Exploration', by Sandra Knapp. It is a series of essays (but what essays!) on different groups and families of plants, but introducing classicism, prominent botanists and naturalists, the most up to date knowledge about the plant world, and exquisite botanical illustrations. There are many appealing asides which make the book very human, in a discipline that can become rather dry and dusty at times. Not surprisingly she mentions many eminent women in the botanical world, including in the chapter on 'Daisies and Sunflowers', Alice Eastwood, who studied botany for 94 years, and for whom the Californian endemic shrub Eastwoodia is named. A certain rivalry existed between her and Jepson (of Jepson Manual fame), who Sandra Knapp desribes as 'an irascible man, even to his friends'. Jepson left Eastwoodia out of his Manual. For those with a fascination with Rocky Mountain alpines, Alice Eastwood introduced Alfred Russel Wallace to Gray's Peak near Denver. All this from just one chapter of the book - a great read!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 27, 2014, 09:40:29 PM


I received the book The Genus Tulipa: tulips of the world' by Diana Everett (Kew RBG) last week and have subsequently devoured the contents.

Chapter 1 presents an extremely succinct history of the appeal of the flower and its subsequent movement across Europe as well as discussing the previous classification of the genus.  In fact, it is so succinct that it is only two pages - for more detail see papers by van Raamsdonk and Zonneveld.

Chapter 2 is a highly personal account of the author's search for tulips in the wild. It covers just 18 pages and is simply written.

Chapter 3 by Richard Wilford, is an eight page distillation of the cultivation of tulips in the garden and under glass. He writes well and says what needs to said - more detail can be found in his 2006 work.

Chapter 4 by Fay and Christenhusz is a synopsis of their paper which is discussed in earlier Forum postings. I'm glad publication was held back to include their findings. Thankfully they have eschewed the notion of not going beyond subgenera into sections - it's complicated enough with tulips!

Chapter 5 constitutes the bulk of the book and contains the taxonomic treatment of each species (and all those tricky neo-tulips). An illustration and often a photograph (in habitat) accompanies each species. The descriptions are terse but sufficient for purposes and give details of distribution. The paintings are of variable quality - but who am I to judge when I can't even paint a living room wall properly!. I did think that some of the paintings lack the luminosity of the actual plants, but appreciate that this is terribly difficult to achieve. Having the bulb (in tunic), the tepals and stamens presented is, however, very helpful. 

There is an extensive bibliography (hurrah!).

The appendices contain an alphabetical checklist of species (with synonyms) and a summary of Zonneveld's 2009 work on sectional classification for those masochists who enjoy breaking subgenera down into minute units. Appendix 3 contains details of nurseries with a heavy emphasis on UK stockists (it includes an incorrect address for Miniature Bulbs which was purchased by Frankie Charlton of Choice Bulbs in early 2013 and moved to the north east of England but that aside they all seem to be there. It would have been good to have had more of the Baltic nurseries represented). Appendix 4 provides biographical notes (some of only one line) on prominent authors, collectors and growers.

How do I rate the monograph? Well, I do admire the dedication of Diane Everett in producing the work which I'm sure will prove to be an important reference for quite some time to come. We've been asking for it and I take my hat/cap off to her. I do wish some of paintings of white and yellow flowering species had more vivacity but, that aside, I do heartily recommend the book and thank the author for her trouble and time - it was worth it and much appreciated!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on March 03, 2014, 10:27:35 PM
My replies came quickly but now I've read this
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/news/Pasque+Flowers+by+Christopher+GreyWilson/404/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/news/Pasque+Flowers+by+Christopher+GreyWilson/404/)

and to save you looking ...

'Pasque Flowers' by Christopher Grey-Wilson

Cancellation
 As mentioned in an earlier announcement we have been experiencing a number of production problems in relation to this title.  The issues mainly relate to poor image quality and we have made several attempts to rectify these problems.  Unfortunately we have been unable to achieve the high standard of illustration and layout that is required in a book that was designed to be a very special publication.   Sadly this leaves us with no option but to cancel this planned publication.  A letter has been sent to all those who had ordered a copy of the book and refunds are currently being processed.

Our sincere apologies for the inconenience and genuine disappointment that we are unable to proceed with this publication.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on March 04, 2014, 09:19:36 AM
Mark, you're way behind the times see Reply 504
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: mark smyth on March 04, 2014, 09:46:03 AM
I am David but no mention of AGS stopping the book in reply 504. £36 could buy me some snowdrops
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 04, 2014, 10:33:35 AM
I am David but no mention of AGS stopping the book in reply 504. £36 could buy me some snowdrops
Sorry you missed it Mark, but all this was discussed in the Pulsatilla thread.
It is hard to make links to every thread where something may be relevant - the place would grind to a halt.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Brian Ellis on March 04, 2014, 10:38:52 PM
I am David but no mention of AGS stopping the book in reply 504. £36 could buy me some snowdrops

Am I missing something here?  Isn't the relevant sentence
Quote
Christopher Grey Wilson has decided to self-publish his new title "Pasque Flowers"
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on March 05, 2014, 09:29:01 AM
I thought that was clear enough Brian.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Pauli on March 05, 2014, 05:32:24 PM
I am happy with the pulsatilla book - lots of pictures of species I have not heard before.
Distribution in Austria of vulgaris, grandis and pratensis nigricans is not correct - literature for Pulsatillas in Austria was not fully checked. So what about other countries ???

Today arrives also mountain flower walks - The Pyrenees from the AGS. Picture quality is far superior to the last volume (Eastern Alps), which was inferior. Mouth watering plants and landscapes - perhaps one day I go there :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 05, 2014, 06:26:20 PM
I am not surprised you have good words to say about the Mountain Flower Walks: The Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa book by Margaret and Henry Taylor (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/publications/books/sales/flora/Mountain+Flower+Walks+The+Pyrenees+and+the+Picos/310/) for the AGS, Herbert - Margaret and Henry Taylor are very experienced travellers, great photographers and remarkable communicators. We are very lucky to have these people in our club.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John Kitt on April 25, 2014, 12:58:44 PM
A short time ago I came across a listing in a catalogue of an Antiquarian Bookshop – “The Romance of Gardening” by F Kingdon Ward (Jonathon Cape, LONDON 1935).  Having parted with the princely sum of AU$10.00 I have had the pleasure of reading one of FKW’s books NOT on plant hunting.  (My first such experience).
I don’t want to provide a full critique of this publication, doubtless others in the past more qualified than I have done so, but I was fascinated by some of the statements made. Perhaps it is just the passage of time that make them so striking.
“Nowadays gardens, even English gardens, are becoming horribly utilitarian places. The grown-ups have taken charge of them for the propagation or rare plants, the shaping of scenic effects or – vilest Philistinism –the cult of lawn tennis”
“Men grew tired of beds and herbaceous borders; anyone can grow plants in a bed. But it takes some skill to make a plant grow on a rock.  So rock gardening became popular.  The rock garden is essentially English. ……. The rock garden is distinctly the English contribution to garden architecture; it is a feature, and an important feature, of many modern English gardens”

On Flower Shows he writes,
“What the layman does not quite realize is that these ‘improved’ plants are really sick plants – sick from the plant’s point of view and from nature’s.  Their natural functions are in abeyance, and though the plant exists, it can only be kept alive and increased by artificial means. Such plants have been sterilized not because they are unfit, but because we regard the freak as an improvement on the normal.     But this must not blind us to the fact that these plants are sick – not diseased but just sick.”
And there are many more interesting quotes.  I have to say that I found the much of the book “bloodless” in spite of the somewhat interesting views. 
And then I came to the Chapter “On Top of the World” and read,
“So we scramble on up the scree, our feet sliding and sinking in as the gravel gets finer, until it is just sand.  At last we reach the bare cliffs, from the crevice of which peep a few bold rock plants……Golden buttons of Ranunculus stud vast interstellar spaces between violet constellations of Primula bella; orange spotted Saxifrages fleck the screes, and fill like metal lodes the joints in the granite face…….Close by a giant thistle is bursting its way through a muff of cotton wool. At the moment all one sees is a snow-white dome a foot high, with heads of dusky purple flowers peeping out of the breaking cloud.  Later as the plant stretches and expands, the clouds are torn asunder leaving cobwebs trailing from every part of the massive inflorescence.       Dotted about the alpine desert, these queer vegetables, like wooly Saussureas and giant Sorrels at once attract attention.  We might be on another planet.”
And so I felt churlish for my previous opinion.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if today’s horticultural journalists wrote with such passion and knowledge and facility with language?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on April 25, 2014, 01:36:14 PM
He also wrote a great guide to rock gardening which starts with the line 'Rock gardening is great fun'. He is not afraid of pulling punches so what about this description of rock gardens at the Chelsea Show: 'You will see many different designs at Chelsea, which is patronized by the rich, the very rich, the idol rich, as well as by the idolatrous who would like to be rich, or who like to appear rich...'. This was probably especially true when he was writing - but on the other hand it would be great to see outdoor rock gardens once more at Chelsea, on a smaller and more personal scale, and certainly more writing on a par with Frank Kingdon Ward's, which came from huge experience of studying plants in nature.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John85 on May 17, 2014, 04:05:18 PM
About the new book published by Timber Press : Sedums
It is a best seller but how good is it?
Is it not too basic?
May be some American members have bought it?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 17, 2014, 04:27:15 PM
Until you mentioned this, the only Sedum book I knew about was ' Sedum: Cultivated Stonecrops' by Ray Stephenson from 1994 - it was also from Timber Press. I confess I have not read this book though others here must have done, I'm sure.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sedum-Cultivated-Stonecrops-Ray-Stephenson/dp/0881922382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400343388&sr=1-1&keywords=Sedum%3A+Cultivated+Stonecrops+Ray+Stephenson (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sedum-Cultivated-Stonecrops-Ray-Stephenson/dp/0881922382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400343388&sr=1-1&keywords=Sedum%3A+Cultivated+Stonecrops+Ray+Stephenson)   - is this the one you mean John?

Now I see that soon a new title is expected in October  from Timber Press :The Plant Lover's Guide to Sedums
by Brent Horvath   -  http://www.timberpress.co.uk/books/?search=9781604693928 (http://www.timberpress.co.uk/books/?search=9781604693928)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John85 on May 17, 2014, 06:54:35 PM
The new book will be available in the UK in october but it is already available in the USA
And yes Maggi,Stevenson's book is my sedum bible but I have only the reprinted thing that is more a bundle of poor black and white photocopies
Title: Books you may like to hear about - Erythronium
Post by: Maggi Young on June 19, 2014, 02:05:46 PM
The Genus Erythronium by Chris Clennett (Kew Publishing 2014)
ISBN 978 84246 492 2

[attachimg=1]

Ian reviews Chris Clennett's Erythronium monograph in this week's Bulb Log 25 18th June 2014 :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Jun181403082722BULB_LOG_2514.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Jun181403082722BULB_LOG_2514.pdf)

[attachimg=2]
Erythronium montanum- which is in cultivation.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ikizzeki on June 30, 2014, 06:28:56 PM
Here is a book from Turkey..I am very empressed very much. She is not a botanist nor writer but  book is full of rare and endemic plants pictures..

I only wanted to share it

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q79/s720x720/10463062_10202923408181097_5366991183940567412_n.jpg?oh=278617419c29019935c30b80c5f89ef8&oe=541598FE
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 30, 2014, 07:20:38 PM
Looks a very good book   8)- I share this other link to it http://www.wildflowertours.com/wildflowers_of_turkey_book.html (http://www.wildflowertours.com/wildflowers_of_turkey_book.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 04, 2014, 03:38:32 PM

A recent review from Graham Rice, author, broadcaster  also known as "The Transatlantic Plantsman" really caught my attention because the subject of erroneous passed down "wisdom" in the field of gardening is something that has been raised quite often in this forum.

So, with Graham's kind permission, here (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12020.0) is his review of     "Coffee For Roses" by C. L. Fornari 
 
Thank you, Graham, for your agreement to allow this use of your review.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on July 24, 2014, 08:56:24 PM
Ann Zwinger

I've mentioned the N. American naturalist Ann Zwinger several times on the AGS website after reading her book 'Land Above the Trees' (recommended by Anne Spiegel). There is a wonderful interview with her on U-tube here:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4mvSeEPhDo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4mvSeEPhDo#)

She is written about in the same way as John Muir and Thoreau and her vision of the Natural World shines out in this interview. I will certainly be reading more of her books.
Title: SRGC Book Sale
Post by: Maggi Young on August 30, 2014, 05:03:44 PM
Note re SRGC  - Book Sale  - from  SRGC Secretary's Pages, Summer  2014  (http://files.srgc.net/general/SRGCSPJuly2014.pdf)
 From David Shaw :
"It is with mixed feelings that I announce that the SRGC Publications section is
closing down. For the last couple of years there has been a steady decline in the
interest in the books and sales are now very low. When I became Publications
Manager there were always a lot of members browsing the books on offer and we
made a decent number of sales. Nowadays few stop by to look at the new titles and
a very small number of books get sold. Mail order services fell by the wayside a
couple of years ago as the price of postage increased at a dramatic rate.
In the beginning I was frustrated by visitors to the stand browsing a book then
taking out pen and paper to write down its details and ISBN number so that they
could go and buy it from Amazon – all this directly in front of the stall holder,
which I thought rather rude. As the years went by the camera on their mobile phone
replaced pen and paper! Now however, even this practice has ceased indicating that
gardeners now have little interest in the printed word; the Internet reigns!
I am sorry to be leaving this post but, at the same time, I have been wasting my
own time in trying to provide a redundant service. On behalf of all the previous
Publications Managers and myself I would like to thank all members who have
supported us in the past. I trust that you have had many happy hours reading your
books.
I am not buying in any more stock and am selling the remainder off at 25%
discount to members. The diminishing stock will be available at the rest of this
year’s SRGC events. If anyone wishes to buy by mail order please email me with
your request from the list in the January Secretary’s Pages (http://files.srgc.net/general/SRGC_SPJan2014.pdf)and I will let you know
if it is still available and the cost of postage to you.
Many thanks to all my past customers.
David Shaw (delftdavid@gmail.com)






Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 30, 2014, 05:11:35 PM
Timber Press has a sale at the moment, too -Save 30% on all books End of Summer Sale -
http://www.timberpress.com/?twitter&utm_content=bufferd787d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer (http://www.timberpress.com/?twitter&utm_content=bufferd787d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Chris Johnson on August 30, 2014, 07:00:40 PM
Timber Press has a sale at the moment, too -Save 30% on all books End of Summer Sale -
http://www.timberpress.com/?twitter&utm_content=bufferd787d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer (http://www.timberpress.com/?twitter&utm_content=bufferd787d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer)

Maggi, this is the American site with books priced in Dollars. I haven't noticed a sale on the British site?

Chris
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 30, 2014, 07:17:57 PM
Was so busy  looking at titles I didn't notice that ,Chris.  Have sent a message to ask about UK sale.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: jomowi on October 11, 2014, 04:20:54 PM
White Beech - The  Rainforest Years by Germaine Greer ISBN 978-1-4088-4671-1

Surprisingly, the content of this book is far removed from what one might expect of Germaine Greer.  She bought a derelict dairy farm in SE Queensland with the intention of restoring it to its original sub-tropical rain forest. The destruction of habitat and its consequences is a familiar story the world over, and this was no exception. 

The author comes across as a very knowledgeable amateur botanist, and she shares with her readers the l2 year project with all its trials and tribulations.  The Cave Creek Rainforest Rehabilitation Scheme (CCRRS) is now a UK registered charitable trust.  The book is thoroughly researched, witness the 10 pages (in small print) of literature cited and a similar index running to14 pages.

I was captivated from the start.  The aboriginal name for the ‘White Beech’ of the title (neither white, nor a beech!) is ‘binna burra’. The rustic mountain lodge named Binna Burra in the nearby Lamington Plateau is where Brian and I spent the Christmas of 1965!  Neither my family who gave me the book nor I were aware of this connection and it came as a delightful surprise just a few pages into the book.

I should be interested to hear what our Australian forumists think of the book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: jomowi on October 11, 2014, 04:35:16 PM
There is a link to CCRRS on the Gondwana Rainforest website: http://gondwanarainforest.org/ (http://gondwanarainforest.org/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Susann on October 14, 2014, 10:43:32 PM
Has anyone mentioned "Flowers of Mongolia" from 2010 yet? The book is very good with often several photos of a species that makes it easier to try to identify a plant,  but it also-unfortunally- contains a lot of mistakes.  For example the state that Pulsatilla ambigua is synonyme to P dahurica. That is like saying I am a look-alike to Queen Elisabeth. Still, I find the book being a helpful fieldbook even giving the more or less exact localities of the pictures. The introduction is in English, Mongolian and German. ISBN 978-3-9813082-0-4 editor Verlag Rûdiger Biermann. I searched for a second hand copy for months but could not find any. But if you live in Germany you can find it at the library. ( There is a new book, (I think it might be called cartography in English?) to be published any day now; with all vascular plants in Mongolia
by Margsal Urgamal)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Karaba on October 17, 2014, 09:50:18 PM
Two books have been published this year about french flora. These are the new bibles for who wants to identify plants in France :
Flore de la France méditerranéenne continentale (https://www.floremed.com/flore-de-la-france-mediterraneene-continentale/) by Jean-Marc Tison, Philippe Jauzein and Henri Michaud. 2080 pages, 200 pictures, 6000 draws, 4905 species and subspecies.
(https://www.floremed.com/catalog/view/theme/default/image/flore300.png)

Flora gallica _ Flore de France (http://www.biotope-editions.com/index.php?article13/flora-gallica-flore-de-france) by Jean-Marc Tison and Bruno de Foucault. 1180 pages and ~6000 species and subspecies from France and Corsica.
(http://www.biotope-editions.com/data/images/ouvrage_flora_gallica(1).jpg)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 23, 2014, 10:31:03 PM
Forumist  Stephenb from  Malvik, Norway - well known to us  here as a man " eating his way through the world's 15,000+ edible species" has got a book coming out shortly.

The book will be  published in about 3 weeks in the UK it is " Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates" by Stephen Barstow

See here for more : http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/ (http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/)      8) 8)

The cover of Stephen's book:

[attachimg=1]

- wishing you all the best with the book, Stephen. 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John85 on November 04, 2014, 07:00:57 AM
The plant lover's guide to sedums Brent Horvath

As the genus sedum as been split  in hylotelephium,petrosedum,phedimus...this book is very helpful in finding the new names.
150 "sedums" are described
As the author is a nurseryman plenty advice is given
At less than 20£ real good value for money
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2014, 11:16:13 AM
The plant lover's guide to sedums Brent Horvath

As the genus sedum as been split  in hylotelephium,petrosedum,phedimus...this book is very helpful in finding the new names.
150 "sedums" are described
As the author is a nurseryman plenty advice is given
At less than 20£ real good value for money

[attachimg=1]

    Format: Hardcover
    Pages: 228 pp.
    Book dimensions: 8 x 9 in. (230 x 205 mm.)
    Images: 238 color photos
    ISBN-10: 1604693924
    ISBN-13: 9781604693928

Available from only £7.70 via Amazon.co.uk - http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The%20Plant%20Lover%27s%20Guide%20to%20Sedums (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The%20Plant%20Lover%27s%20Guide%20to%20Sedums)

If you buy using the Amazon link at the foot of this page, you'll earn money for the SRGC too!  ;)
 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on November 05, 2014, 03:52:20 PM
Just wondered if anyone had splashed out on the new G-W Meconopsis book, and can offer comment?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Stephenb on November 09, 2014, 11:48:09 AM
Thank you, Maggi :)
Forumist  Stephenb from  Malvik, Norway - well known to us  here as a man " eating his way through the world's 15,000+ edible species" has got a book coming out shortly.

The book will be  published in about 3 weeks in the UK it is " Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates" by Stephen Barstow

See here for more : http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/ (http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/)      8) 8)

The cover of Stephen's book:

(Attachment Link)

- wishing you all the best with the book, Stephen. 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 09, 2014, 12:01:27 PM
I've heard from Stephen's publisher and I'm expecting a review copy of

" Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates"

 :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on November 09, 2014, 08:56:34 PM
http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/the-irish-garden-jane-powers-and-jonathan-hession/ (http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/the-irish-garden-jane-powers-and-jonathan-hession/)

A new book on Irish Gardens.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 17, 2014, 03:39:08 PM
Many of you will be aware of the famous set of books, " Bean's Trees and Shrubs " - now it seems these are available  online  - John Grimshaw tweeted :

Bean's Trees and Shrubs now live online - a free resource for all gardeners, thanks to International Dendrology Society      http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/ (http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/) 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ArnoldT on December 17, 2014, 04:05:37 PM
Maggi:

Thanks for the link.

It solved a problem I've seen regarding the spelling of Evodia.

http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/browse/euodia/ (http://www.beanstreesandshrubs.org/browse/euodia/)

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 04, 2015, 11:26:30 AM
Remarkable Plants that shape our world:

Just read and reviewed here:

http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/remarkable-plants-that-shape-our-world-helen-and-william-bynum/ (http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/remarkable-plants-that-shape-our-world-helen-and-william-bynum/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 04, 2015, 11:27:45 AM
The Splendour of the Tree - Noel Kingsbury

Reviewed here:

http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/the-splendour-of-the-tree-by-noel-kingsbury-photography-by-andrea-jones/ (http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/the-splendour-of-the-tree-by-noel-kingsbury-photography-by-andrea-jones/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on January 04, 2015, 01:46:13 PM
http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/the-irish-garden-jane-powers-and-jonathan-hession/ (http://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/09/the-irish-garden-jane-powers-and-jonathan-hession/)   A new book on Irish Gardens.
Sounds excellent and one to look out for; thanks Paddy.
Congratulations too on the revamped IGPS website.  Beautiful, interesting and dynamic.  Well done to all involved & best wishes for the future.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 04, 2015, 04:23:27 PM
Thank you, Ashley.

Contributions for the blog always welcome!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on January 05, 2015, 12:01:36 PM
Ah Paddy, I was afraid you'd say that ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2015, 12:22:27 PM
Ah Paddy, I was afraid you'd say that ;D
Tee Hee! I KNEW he'd say that! I was just about to mention the IRG .......  ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 05, 2015, 07:57:55 PM
LOL Ashley, Those who wish to fill web pages must be ready to pounce at every opportunity. So, get writing. lol
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on January 05, 2015, 10:07:31 PM
Entrapment; learning the hard way to keep head down and mouth shut ;) ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 05, 2015, 10:26:06 PM
Sounds excellent and one to look out for; thanks Paddy.
Congratulations too on the revamped IGPS website.  Beautiful, interesting and dynamic.  Well done to all involved & best wishes for the future.

Yes, this is one to look forward to alright.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 06, 2015, 07:41:29 PM
Yesterday i received two nice books about turkish flowers :

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WILD FLOWERS OF TURKEY VOL. I-II

30,000 slides, covering 1,500 species, 1100 pages

Everyone who love bulbs and mediterranean flora should own these books.
They'll complete/replace(?) my 6 tomes of the well known flora of Turkey.

I found the 2 volumes for less than 20€ inc. shipping.

[attach=1]
[attach=2]
[attach=3]
[attach=4]
[attach=5]
From the editor
Quote
Over the past few years a number of books have been published about Turkey’s rich, natural flora. It is interesting to note that most of these books were written by people whose passion for nature began as a hobby. Erdoğan Tekin also falls into this category of people whose hobbies have inspired them to produce something to be cherished by many enthusiasts alike.

Essentially an engineer, Tekin has worked as a professor in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara for forty years. During the 80’s, he focused his personal love of photography into searching for wild flowers. However, it was not until the 90’s that Tekin started looking for information on the flowers he ‘hunted’.

Upon reading books written mostly for botanists Tekin’s knowledge and interest grew, leading him to photographing wild flowers more consciously. As his collection neared an astonishing 30,000 slides, covering 1,500 species, Tekin’s friends persuaded him to publish them, thus resulting in these two amazing volumes, The Most Beautiful Wild Flowers of Turkey Vol. I-II.

Containing more than one thousand flowers, the first volume of The Most Beautiful Wild Flowers of Turkey was an instant best seller, with four print-runs in a short amount of time. The book also served as a meeting point for similar enthusiasts, which in turn opened the door to the second volume, this time compiled with contributions from 18 other plant lovers from different parts of Turkey and adding a further 600 flowers to the collection.

The Most Beautiful Wild Flowers of Turkey comprises more than 2,000 photographs, detailed in accessible tables, providing information on any given flower. In order to realise the full potential of the book, readers are given an initial guide to the page layout and the many different signs they will encounter in the aforementioned tables. Information regarding the family and species of the flower, its form, height and distribution in Turkey, as well as habitat and flowering period and, of course, its common name in both Turkish and English are well presented along with the photographs.

There is yet another important detail I was delighted to discover whilst leafing through these colourful pages: the flowers are divided into chapters according to their colours, as well as being presented by their flower form. This is an ingenious way of making things much simpler for a wild life enthusiast, saving him/her hours in the search for information. Hence, the reader need look only at the colour and then count the petals, requiring only a few pages research before finding the desired plant.

The Most Beautiful Wild Flowers of Turkey is a remarkable guide for those who wish to know more about the wild flowers surrounding us. Written both in Turkish and English, it is also suitable for foreign visitors interested in Turkey’s flora. These volumes are a wonderful achievement by Erdoğan Tekin, who has transformed his interest in the natural world into something valuable, whilst also providing Turkey with a much needed resource about its wild flowers.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2015, 08:15:21 PM
They look good , Yann. Ian's just got another book from that area - on Turkish Bulbs - will be reviewing it soon in the Bulb Log , I expect.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 06, 2015, 08:40:02 PM
Another one you can bring in the bag is Wild Flowers of Turkey from Nazan Öztürk
5 languages and 300 pages
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 07, 2015, 12:09:20 PM
Ian Youngs 's favourable review of Yasemin Konaeralp's book appears in the first Bulb Log of 2015.

"............I have just received a copy of a very interesting book that I would like to share with you- it is a Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Turkey by Yasemin Konuralp, ISBN 978-605-89610-6-7: this the second edition which covers the bulbous species along with some others.   "

 http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jan071420630264BULB_LOG_0115.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Jan071420630264BULB_LOG_0115.pdf)
 
See more and buy the book here :
 http://www.wildflowertours.com/ (http://www.wildflowertours.com/)


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 07, 2015, 12:13:58 PM
Forumist  Stephenb from  Malvik, Norway - well known to us  here as a man " eating his way through the world's 15,000+ edible species" has got a book coming out shortly.

The book is " Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates" by Stephen Barstow

See here for more : http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/ (http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/)      8) 8)


Ian reviewed this book in the Bulb Log a few weeks ago and my review will be in the next issue of The Rock Garden 
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Nov261416997359BULB_LOG_4814.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Nov261416997359BULB_LOG_4814.pdf)   =Log with the review

You can buy the book here -  http://www.green-shopping.co.uk/around-the-world-in-80-plants.html (http://www.green-shopping.co.uk/around-the-world-in-80-plants.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 07, 2015, 12:31:43 PM
The Yasemin's book is must have, descriptions are exhaustive and locations accurate.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 07, 2015, 03:09:23 PM
I agree, Yann.
The only minor  problem I see is that the printing of the photos on some pages ( a black backhround is used) seems to be affected oddly- perhaps because of the very shiny paper.  But colour reproduction is still accurate too.
A most interesting book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 07, 2015, 07:43:46 PM
Another book just released by 2 nature lovers, Chris & Basak Gardner

Flora of the Silk Road, 416 pages, 3Kg (!!) full of marvellous photos.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 07, 2015, 07:46:36 PM
more of this wonderful book (i know it's not the weight of an Android tablet but when you open it, you got the whouaah effect)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 11, 2015, 12:26:52 PM
Royal Flowers of the Netherlands
Dennis A-Tjak
Terra Publishers, 2009
HBK 192pp, 347X260mm


Last year I chanced on a copy of this beautiful book when perusing a second-hand emporium in Dordrecht, Netherlands and immediately wanted to transplant it to my own library.  Though, weighing in at over 2kgs, it sorely tested my hand-luggage limit on the return flight! 

Genuine beauty doesn't fade through familiarity: I have continued to admire this book and the warm, sensuous photographs by Dennis A-Tjak. Essentially the book follows through on an idea to represent flowering bulbs which refer in one way or another to the Dutch royal family. In reality A-Tjak’s idea is merely a publishing excuse to show some of his truly delightful images for he also includes photographs of Rembrandt or broken tulips which have no royal connections, though I suppose they are associated by many as being quintessentially Dutch.

Within its many pages is a marvellous, colour-rich bouquet of over 180 images of tulips, narcissi, hyacinths and the odd fritillaria. The single and occasional double-page spreads are organised chronologically in accordance with the date of record or introduction of the various cultivars, starting with T. ‘Duc van Tol’ (1595) and concluding with the prosaic T. ‘Orange World’ (2008). Along the way life-size images are presented of such broken beauties as TT. ‘Zomerschoon’ (1620), Keizerskoon’ (1750), ‘Julia Farnese’ (1850), ‘The Lizard’ (1903), ‘Adonis’ and ‘Mabel’ (both of which are shown as 1915 Dutch introductions, though they were known much earlier in the UK) as well as the gold and blood red ‘Royal Sovereign’ (1916). Not all the photographs show the plants in good bloom for there is beauty in imperfections and even in the wilted state.

The book also contains short chapters, in English, by Rien Meijar on the growing and cultivation of bulbs with a brief and well-trodden history of tulips and a useful description of events, gardens and cultural institutions containing flower representations (such as flower vases or paintings) in the Netherlands. 

I thoroughly recommend this book.

New copies are available at 50 Euros (about £40). I was fortunate to obtain a pristine copy for 10 euros. Readers would be well advised to try a bargain book site such as Postscript (www.psbooks.co.uk (http://www.psbooks.co.uk)) (on which it is currently available at £8http://www.psbooks.co.uk/products/arts/photography/item/royal-flowers-of-the-netherlands  (http://www.psbooks.co.uk/products/arts/photography/item/royal-flowers-of-the-netherlands)  ) to obtain a substantial reduction on either Amazon or Waterstones.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 19, 2015, 08:11:18 PM
Carolyn Walker has reviewed  Naomi Slade's Snowdrop Book  - complete with kind words about the SRGC Forum 
http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2015/01/14/new-snowdrop-book/ (http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2015/01/14/new-snowdrop-book/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2015, 01:53:58 PM
Carolyn Walker has reviewed  Naomi Slade's Snowdrop Book  - complete with kind words about the SRGC Forum 
http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2015/01/14/new-snowdrop-book/ (http://carolynsshadegardens.com/2015/01/14/new-snowdrop-book/)
   

See HERE (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12503.msg321953#msg321953)  for news of how to get a discount on this book - and others!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2015, 01:54:35 PM
Quote
Quote from: Maggi Young on October 23, 2014, 10:31:03 PM

    Forumist  Stephenb from  Malvik, Norway - well known to us  here as a man " eating his way through the world's 15,000+ edible species" has got a book coming out shortly.

    The book is " Around The World in 80 Plants: An Edible Perennial Vegetable Adventure For Temperate Climates" by Stephen Barstow

    See here for more : http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/ (http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/around-the-world-in-80-plants-an-edible-perennial-vegetable-adventure-for-temperate-climates-by-stephen-barstow/)      8) 8)

(Ian reviewed this book in the Bulb Log a few weeks ago
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Nov261416997359BULB_LOG_4814.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2014Nov261416997359BULB_LOG_4814.pdf)   =Log with the review)

You can buy the book here -  http://www.green-shopping.co.uk/around-the-world-in-80-plants.html (http://www.green-shopping.co.uk/around-the-world-in-80-plants.html)

My review of the book- in the latest issue of  The Rock Garden (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12503.0) - out now...[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on January 24, 2015, 07:11:22 PM
I wonder why the book on Alpines in the Roger Philips and Martin Rix  series never appeared?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: astragalus on January 25, 2015, 01:23:43 PM
After a couple of months wait, my Birthday present "Flora of the Silk Road", finally arrived and it was worth the wait.  What a beautiful book!  Some of the plants I've never seen and a few are in my garden.  The photography is spectacular.  The book has inspired me to try some of the Juno Irises for a start.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on January 25, 2015, 04:36:39 PM
I must stop reading this Forum.  I have just gone and ordered Flora of the Silk Road and Round the World in 80 Plants :-[.  I need to get rid of some books to make room on the shelves.  Husband doesn't understand my addictions - books and plants - could be worse -  so there's no chance of sneaking in another bookcase.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: astragalus on January 25, 2015, 05:32:51 PM
Roma, I'm sure there must be some space you haven't considered, such as over doorways and windows, usually just space not being used!  Easy to put shelves there, and how convenient to pick out your next book while going through a doorway.  I always tell my husband that books are necessary in our cold climate - they add insulation to walls.  That being said, books do have a bad habit of cloning themselves while you sleep and when you get up, any empty shelf space you had will be packed solid.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 26, 2015, 06:45:30 PM
After almost two years at my new address I'm at last getting all my books unpacked. This is good because I realize that I CAN throw out an awful lot. I'm re-reading old thrillers mostly and they seem so outdated, the characters unreal in the modern world that I'm almost embarrassed by some. So dozens are going. Even Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh don't cut it compared to Stuart McBride or Stieg Larsson! The overall result is several metres of space now available. ;D

Some garden and cookbooks are going too. Everything that is discarded will go to the Regent (Theatre) 24 hour Book Sale, a once a year event helping to fund the theatre Trust. Books are donated and are snapped up very quickly. Many thousands of dollars are raised each year from books selling from 50c to about $5 for the best and newest, everything from old paperback westerns to second hand medical tomes. Sheet music, and CDs too.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 28, 2015, 09:21:05 PM
I know some of you are also orchids addicts and love middle-east.
There's a must have title named "Die Orchideen der Türkei" you should own.
It's pricey but it's surely the most complete book on the subject.

Scotland gardens guide is there to compare book's height   ;)

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 28, 2015, 09:22:41 PM
the book contains detailed distribution maps
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 28, 2015, 09:25:52 PM
the 768 pages and the somptuous photos should make more pleasant winter evenings waiting for spring
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 29, 2015, 06:27:40 AM
Roma you will not be disappointed by the Silk Road book, but i'm sure you'll use it as an insulation (cf astragalus) :o
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 29, 2015, 03:27:41 PM
Paddy Tobin reviews Keith Wiley's new book: https://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/designing-and-planting-a-woodland-garden-by-keith-wiley-a-review/

Designing and Planting the Woodland Garden: Plants and Combinations that Thrive in the Shade
By Keith Wiley

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 280 pp.
Book dimensions: 7⅝ x 9¼ in. (235 x 195 mm.)
Images: 229 color photos, 8 illustrations
ISBN-10: 1604693851
ISBN-13: 9781604693850
Product code: 689385
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on January 30, 2015, 01:06:37 PM
Roma you will not be disappointed by the Silk Road book, but i'm sure you'll use it as an insulation (cf astragalus) :o
I ordered the book through Amazon from a company called 'Speedyhen' on Saturday and it arrived on Wednesday :).   It is a lovely book and will get great pleasure looking at the pictures with just enough text to be informative.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 01, 2015, 02:53:20 PM
Another book just released by 2 nature lovers, Chris & Basak Gardner

Flora of the Silk Road, 416 pages, 3Kg (!!) full of marvellous photos.

    And this is their website for tours.....    http://www.viranatura.com/About-us (http://www.viranatura.com/About-us)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 02, 2015, 08:38:18 AM
Paddy Tobin reviews Keith Wiley's new book: https://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/designing-and-planting-a-woodland-garden-by-keith-wiley-a-review/

Designing and Planting the Woodland Garden: Plants and Combinations that Thrive in the Shade
By Keith Wiley

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 280 pp.
Book dimensions: 7⅝ x 9¼ in. (235 x 195 mm.)
Images: 229 color photos, 8 illustrations
ISBN-10: 1604693851
ISBN-13: 9781604693850
Product code: 689385

Ah, Maggi, now I understand why I was getting traffic from the SRGC! Many thanks.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Paddy Tobin on February 02, 2015, 08:44:11 AM
A book of more general interest, The RHS, The Garden Anthology, edited by Ursula Buchan

https://igpsblogs.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/royal-horticultural-society-the-garden-anthology-edited-by-ursula-buchan/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John Kitt on February 17, 2015, 05:25:21 AM
I've just taken delivery of a book I have been waiting for  for some time. "The Flora of the Silk Road" (Christopher Gardener & Basak Gardener). No doubt Northern Hemisphere members may have seen/heard of it.  A little more expensive than my usual acquisitions and I have only skimmed it so far.  I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH ENTHUSIASM for this book.  Largely a picture book of plants but wonderful pictures and it has reinvigorated my energy for growing these gems.  I know I am probably gushing a little but, for someone at the other end of the earth from these plants, just a little tolerance please.  My winter reading and planning will be special this year!!
 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on February 17, 2015, 06:41:31 AM
This is a beautiful book isn't John - I have a review copy which I aim to write about in my Diary on the AGS website because the range of plants described, the places and the incredible history that has come from travellers on the Silk Road, and the connections between different cultures, belies a lot that is occurring in the World at the moment.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on February 17, 2015, 06:35:15 PM
Cross-posted from The Rock Garden-January 2015.

Quote from: David Nicholson on January 20, 2015, 01:09:09 AM
It won't be long now. Here's a scan of the Timber Press advertisement, which will be on page 121 of the January 2015 edition, and showcases the Timber Press range of Plant Lover's Guides, including Naomi Slade's Snowdrops. As you will see these are available for a special price of £15.00 per title (including postage to UK mainland addresses [elsewhere postage is charged at cost], just use the code SROCK15 on the Timber Press website at www.timberpress.co.uk (http://www.timberpress.co.uk)  . Dahlias, Salvias, Sedums and Snowdrops are available now and these will be followed from 1 April by Tulips, Epimediums, Ferns, and Asters .


Sadly I heard from Sally McEnallay, Sales and Marketing Manager for Timber press UK that Timber Press USA has made the decision to close their UK Office at the end of March. Sally has been good enough, at a time when she must be under some pressure, to set up procedures by which our members can continue to implement the offer outlined above after 1 April. I have thanked her for this and those procedures are below:-

""The code is up on the website, which will be active until the end of March at which point, I think, the US are closing down the UK site. After 1st April, the best way to redeem the offer and order books would be for members to contact our PR and Communications manager, Becky O’Malley, also based in Devon! If they ring her on 01395 232166 or email her at romalley@timberpress.com she will be happy to take the order and organise for the books to be sent at our agreed price of £15.00 per book with free postage for UK addresses.

I hope you might be able to distribute this information to members so that anyone who does want to order still is able to do so after April 1st. ""

I will repeat this information on the Books thread.
Modify message
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: John Kitt on February 17, 2015, 07:10:36 PM
Tim, look forward to your review.  Interestingly it did occur to me that with all the bellicose confrontations occurring in some of these areas, the effects on native species may well be seen as a disaster in the future.  The unintended consequences of plant hunting and seed collecting of the past, although contentious now, may well be an environmental saviour.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 20, 2015, 08:12:48 PM
A new title coming later in the year from Timber Press: http://www.timberpress.com/books/steppes/bone/9781604694659 (http://www.timberpress.com/books/steppes/bone/9781604694659)

[attachimg=1]


Steppes: The Plants and Ecology of the World’s Semi-arid Regions

By Michael Bone, Dan Johnson, Panayoti Kelaidis, Mike Kintgen, and Larry G. Vickerman

With Denver Botanic Gardens

Steppes are giant grasslands, defined not only by their plants, but also by the geology and climate that created them. They comprise enormous areas on four continents and are where a huge number of staple crops and garden plants originated. Despite the importance of these regions, both horticulturally and in terms of human evolution and development, remarkably little has been written about them.

Steppes surveys all of the world’s steppe regions—including areas in North America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America—and highlights the plants in each, along with climatic and geological descriptions of each area. The plants of these regions have inspired some of the most important garden designers of our time, including Piet Oudolf, Tom Stuart Smith, Wolfgang Oehme, and James Van Sweden.

This important reference is for professionals, highly knowledgeable gardeners, and students of botany and horticulture.


    Price: $49.95*
    Format: Hardcover
    Pages: 360 pp.*
    Book dimensions: 8½ x 10 in. (255 x 215 mm.)*
    Images: 380 color photos, 6 maps, 1 diagram*
    ISBN-10: 1604694653
    ISBN-13: 9781604694659
    Product code: 689465
    *These specifications have not been finalized and are subject to change.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 09, 2015, 05:49:16 PM
Hi Maggi
Just wondering when this book is being published?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 09, 2015, 06:11:03 PM

The Timber Press page says that  "Steppes: The Plants and Ecology of the World’s Semi-arid Regions"   is "expected" around July 8th 2015.  That's all I know so far. 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 09, 2015, 07:15:29 PM
Thank you I will put that date in my diary, this will be a lovely book for the updated SRGC library that I am working on.
Has anyone got any other new books I should be buying for the club library.
I ordered over 25 titles today from floras to genus to cultivation in the woodland!
What fun on a cold wet day
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on March 09, 2015, 08:35:35 PM
A forthcoming monograph on the genus Fritillaria by Martyn Rix has been mentioned and might be a worthwhile acquisition, publication this autumn perhaps?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 09, 2015, 08:48:55 PM
I'll  believe that when I see it , Matt - Martyn Rix' Frit . book has been "promised" since Methuselah was a boy....
 :-\
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on March 09, 2015, 08:54:19 PM
Maybe Julia could file it in the 'Fiction' section of the library then?  :-X
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 09, 2015, 09:10:07 PM
She may need to! Where did you see/ hear of the possibility?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on March 09, 2015, 09:49:17 PM
It came up in a recent discussion thread on the PBS list (I dip into the archive now and again as a lurker). Others there also expressed doubt that it would be ready by then...

OK, I finally found it (the search function is 'clunky'): http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/2015-February/tjejgju1fqre4f72n0bs4pqli7.html (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/2015-February/tjejgju1fqre4f72n0bs4pqli7.html)

Maybe Paul C has info we don't?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 10, 2015, 05:03:02 AM
I'll keep a note and hopefully it be published this year 😃
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Tim Ingram on March 10, 2015, 07:50:26 AM
This is a picture from the Harlow AGS Show detailing the collaboration between a number of people studying fritillarias. The prospect must be that a Kew Monograph on the genus will be published at some date related to this work and the information on the Fritillaria Group website. Quite a project to pull together, especially with such a significant interest in the genus from so many people and probably many differing views at times on the detail. For gardeners like myself who don't grow so many and would like to learn more the prospect is very exciting and I would particularly like to grow more species suitable for the less demanding conditions of the garden itself.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martinr on March 10, 2015, 08:36:36 AM
I collected my copy of the Silk Road book at Loughborough at the weekend. Bought unseen based on  comments here and I'm not disappointed. Stunning photography.

Just one difficult question.....how did they produce this and it only cost £28?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 10, 2015, 09:33:44 AM
It came up in a recent discussion thread on the PBS list (I dip into the archive now and again as a lurker). Others there also expressed doubt that it would be ready by then...

OK, I finally found it (the search function is 'clunky'): http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/2015-February/tjejgju1fqre4f72n0bs4pqli7.html (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/2015-February/tjejgju1fqre4f72n0bs4pqli7.html)

Maybe Paul C has info we don't?

  Ooops, I'm a PBS member and I missed that!  Good news indeed!   I note that Jane McGary, a woman with a great deal of experience in publishing, also expresses her cynicism about "tentative" publishing dates! :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 10, 2015, 09:35:13 AM
I collected my copy of the Silk Road book at Loughborough at the weekend. Bought unseen based on  comments here and I'm not disappointed. Stunning photography.

Just one difficult question.....how did they produce this and it only cost £28?

Ian and I have been amazed at the price too - it is quite astonishingly good value. Really fantastic book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Darren on March 10, 2015, 10:02:42 AM
  Ooops, I'm a PBS member and I missed that!  Good news indeed!   I note that Jane McGary, a woman with a great deal of experience in publishing, also expresses her cynicism about "tentative" publishing dates! :)

After the (to me) disappointing Tulipa monograph I think I'll want to see a copy before ordering.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 10, 2015, 05:56:29 PM
I agree that The Silk Road was a fantastic book and an amazing price!
Fantastic quality and pictures out of this world , best buy in years 😃😃😃
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on March 10, 2015, 06:54:50 PM
Maggi, Martin Rix was to produce a book on alpines with Roger Philips many years ago. I asked the publishers when it was to be published but received no answer.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 11, 2015, 03:59:14 PM
Ian reviews  the "flora of the Silk Road" today in Bulb Log 10 of 2015 :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Mar111426071102BULB_LOG_1015.pdf (http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2015Mar111426071102BULB_LOG_1015.pdf)

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 Must say I am in agreement with him on this one - really super book - whether you are an armchair traveller or looking for inspiration for a tour ( which the Gardners can arrange (http://www.viranatura.com/), of course!)- this is just a super book with printing and photography of a consistently high standard.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 11, 2015, 04:35:33 PM
yes an amazing book, I've just bought on for the SRGC Library it arrived today  :) :) :) :)
Lots of books ordered.
 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on March 11, 2015, 04:38:01 PM
SRGC Librarian is an enviable post to hold, Julia. Lucky you!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Julia on March 11, 2015, 06:30:10 PM
Yes very lucky, now trying to get it up-to-date so members have a great  collections of books to choose from
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Palustris on March 11, 2015, 07:46:11 PM
Didn't buy the Silk Road book at Loughborough. Spent all my money on plants. BUT I was given the Tulipa book and unlike Darren I found it very interesting and as with many of these things, very frustrating. All those lovely plants and no chance of ever seeing or growing them!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Darren on March 12, 2015, 07:13:40 AM
It is interesting and the information it contains is valuable but I found the illustrations a bit lacking, and the photographs of plants in habitat frustratingly small.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Hans J on March 12, 2015, 03:20:37 PM
Hi all ,

before some days I have heard about the book for Hamamelis "Witch Hazel" from Chris Lane ...it looks very interesting !
I have looked today in Timber Press ...but it is out of print
A second try via Amazon was also not so succsessfull ...crazy Prices for new and used books
Also some other searches (Bookfinder ,Abebooks ..) give no results

So ....now I have the idea to ask here if someone has a copy for sale ?

Please send me your offer via PM

Thank you in advance
Hans
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on March 12, 2015, 07:36:49 PM
Hans, it is available on ABE Books but at ridiculous prices and all from USA, see below:-

Damn, my copy and paste isn't working again

here it is Hans hope I have typed it properly

www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=Lane&sts=t&tn=WitchHazels (http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=Lane&sts=t&tn=WitchHazels)






Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Hans J on March 12, 2015, 08:26:19 PM
Thank you David ,

I have just tried ...only one offer from Italy  :(

My hope is that someone here no longer needed this book  ....

Hans
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on March 13, 2015, 07:06:22 PM
For all those who ordered the book Tulips of Kazakhstan please PM me, i had some trouble with my internet provider and some emails where lost!

26kg of books are to be dispatched :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on March 17, 2015, 11:10:15 AM
A good book on Natives is Wild Flowers of the North Highlands by Ken Butler and Ken Crossan.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 14, 2015, 03:51:43 PM
Forumist and SRGC member, Todd Boland has  just had another plant guide released  8)

Wildflowers of New Brunswick: Field Guide

[attachimg=1]

An authoritative guide to 700 native and introduced species of wildflowers in New Brunswick. A series of page tabs and icons, along with full colour photos, offers easy identification of wild plants.

About the Author

Todd Boland is the Research Horticulturist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden and is one of the founding members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildflower Society. He is author of Wildflowers of Nova Scotia, Trees and Shrubs of the Maritimes, and Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland and Labrador. (http://boulderpublications.ca/product-category/nature)


Available directly from the Publisher, or from  Amazon, ( use the link below to help the SRGC, too!) Indigo  http://boulderpublications.ca/ (http://boulderpublications.ca/)

Other titles by Todd for Boulder....
[attachimg=2] [attachimg=3] [attachimg=4]

Todd says his next title, on the Wildflowers of Newfoundland is well underway!

Todd is one of the speakers at this year's SRGC Discussion Weekend - see  here
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12745.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12745.0)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on April 14, 2015, 05:00:53 PM
This book looks promising, but I haven't found it for sale here in China yet: http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/life-sciences/botanical-reference/plants-china-companion-iflora-chinai (http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/life-sciences/botanical-reference/plants-china-companion-iflora-chinai)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on April 16, 2015, 02:22:20 AM
This book looks promising, but I haven't found it for sale here in China yet: http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/life-sciences/botanical-reference/plants-china-companion-iflora-chinai (http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/life-sciences/botanical-reference/plants-china-companion-iflora-chinai)

The original print, with identical content, is also available from China (Amazon.cn) for a third of the price, including shipping: http://www.amazon.cn/gp/switch-language/product/B00FEL5FQO/ref=topnav_switchLang?ie=UTF8&keywords=9787030385741&language=en_CN&qid=1429150239&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.cn/gp/switch-language/product/B00FEL5FQO/ref=topnav_switchLang?ie=UTF8&keywords=9787030385741&language=en_CN&qid=1429150239&sr=8-1)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 16, 2015, 10:24:44 AM
Love those words - " a third of the price"  !! :D
Title: Book offer from Karen Platt
Post by: Maggi Young on June 19, 2015, 04:30:58 PM
SRGC OFFER
We are given this offer on a discount for her books by Karen Platt, -  perhaps best known as a photographer and enthusiast for black plants and one of Britain’s top selling independent garden authors.

50% Discount Offer  on retail price on all gardening books while stocks last
 PLUS 5.99 p&p per order

Here are the books on offer while stocks last, plenty of stock available

rrp 16.99 each ( 50% discount to be applied )

Lifestyle Gardening ISBN 0954576462 - get the look, the style, make the garden
[attachimg=1]

Black Magic and Purple Passion ISBN 095457642X Sold OUT

Gold Fever ISBN 0954576411
[attachimg=2]

Silver Lining ISBN 0954576438
[attachimg=3]

Emeralds ISBN 0954576446
[attachimg=4]

rrp 12.50
Seed Search 5th Edition ISBN 095288108X
[attachimg=5]

rrp 9.99
Seed Sowing & Growing Success ISBN 0954576403

rrp 9.99
Plant Synonyms ISBN 0954576454

For queries either telephone  0114 272 3949
or contact Karen by email on
k@karenplatt.co.uk


Or you may place your order online on the website 
www.karenplatt.co.uk (http://www.karenplatt.co.uk)  and use  the code 50OFF at checkout

Orders are usually dispatched next day, you will receive an email when your order is dispatched  but please allow 7 days for delivery

or if you prefer, send a cheque made payable to Karen Platt, including 5.99 postage with your order to this address

Karen Platt
Apt 21 Cornwall Works
3 Green Lane
Sheffield
S3 8SJ
U.K.


Title: Book offer from Karen Platt
Post by: Maggi Young on June 19, 2015, 04:32:52 PM
cover pictures of the last two books :

[attachimg=1]
rrp 9.99  ( 50%discount to be applied)
Seed Sowing & Growing Success ISBN 0954576403


[attachimg=2]
rrp 9.99  (50% discount to be applied)
Plant Synonyms ISBN 0954576454
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on July 10, 2015, 01:08:49 PM
Is there a good monograph of the Genus Dianthus? If so I'd like to hear about it!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 10, 2015, 01:44:35 PM
Two suggestions - both available via the Amazon link at the bottom of this page!

A monograph of the genus Dianthus, Linn Paperback (2012)
by Frederic Newton Williams

"This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text.  Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 "

Paperback: 44 pages
Publisher: RareBooksClub.com (March 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1130550737
ISBN-13: 978-1130550733

[attachimg=1]

and :

The Dianthus: A flower monograph (Collins flower monographs) Hardcover – 1949

Series: Collins flower monographs
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Collins (1949)
Language: English
ASIN: B0007J0OVY

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 10, 2015, 01:48:16 PM
Also found ....
 Notes on the Pinks of Western Europe      by Frederic Newton Williams
Publisher: HardPress Publishing
Language: English
ISBN: 9781290297189

and:

The Pinks of Central Europe  also by Frederic Newton Williams
Publisher: Rarebooksclub.com
Language: English
ISBN: 9781236309150
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 10, 2015, 01:52:39 PM
 Still on Dianthus.....   http://www.heswallbooks.co.uk/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=5614 (http://www.heswallbooks.co.uk/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=5614)

Carnations and all Dianthus    Allwood, Montagu C.

"Garden Book Club / Allwood Bros. 1935 Hard covers, dust jacket V.g. Fair
Jacket frayed, fore-edge foxed, internally v.g. xxiv, 215 pp.  "

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on July 10, 2015, 02:39:22 PM
Thanks Maggi, all pretty ancient! Time somebody did an up-to-date one.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on July 19, 2015, 02:51:21 AM
New (English language) monograph on Swertia out here in China, available from Amazon.cn for international delivery: http://www.amazon.cn/gp/switch-language/product/B00ZVPDTWK?ie=UTF8&keywords=9787030421487&language=en_CN&qid=1437270152&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.cn/gp/switch-language/product/B00ZVPDTWK?ie=UTF8&keywords=9787030421487&language=en_CN&qid=1437270152&sr=8-1)

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 30, 2015, 04:31:25 PM
For those who read Russian: Olga Bondareva has another book out!
Olga writes  about how to make a garden - with attention to design and planting and without spending a fortune!

[attachimg=1]
http://www.labirint.ru/books/496590/ (http://www.labirint.ru/books/496590/)
A page from the book:
[attachimg=2]

See about other books by Olga :  8) 8)

http://www.labirint.ru/authors/42520/ (http://www.labirint.ru/authors/42520/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on September 04, 2015, 07:53:16 PM
Land of Mountain and Flood, by McKirdy, Gordon and Crofts. It is about the Geology and Landforms of Scotland. Another neglected subject which should be featured on TV. The geology of the UK affects us all but is rarely shown. How are geological maps produced, especially the complex geology of the North West.
Title: New Lanark - Book Festival
Post by: Maggi Young on September 15, 2015, 06:51:22 PM
News from the  New Lanark World Heritage Site  - re  an  upcoming Book Festival

Until Sunday 20th September there is an offer of  30% off tickets to the festival

To purchase tickets using the special offer visit this link http://bit.ly/1idHfX0 (http://bit.ly/1idHfX0) and the code ‘newlanark’. Further information on the New Lanark Book Festival and all the authors speaking at the event can be found on the website here: http://www.newlanark.org/visitorcentre/2015-book-festival.shtml (http://www.newlanark.org/visitorcentre/2015-book-festival.shtml)

A brief summary of the author line-up is:

Thursday 1st October:
• Jonathan Whitelaw: 'From the Laptop to the Bookshelf' (Scottish crime writer on his journey to publication)
• Christopher Brookmyre: 'Dead Girl Walking' (Scottish crime writer on the return of Jack Parlabane)

Friday 2nd October:
• Mandy Haggith: 'Into the Forest and out to Sea' (Scottish poet/Environmentalist on her nature novels & poetry)
• Billy Kay: 'The Scottish World' (Broadcaster/ Scottish travel writer on stories from his travels)

Saturday 3rd October:
• Janet Renouf-Miller: 'Knit 1 Bike 1 - A cycle and knitting journey around Scotland' (Knitter/writer on her journey)
• C A Hope: 'Telling the Story' (Author of historical novels set in New Lanark)
• David McLaren: 'David Dale - A life' (Author of David Dale's biography)
• Catherine Brown: 'Making better of our Good - Scotland's Changing Food Culture' (Tasting session with Scottish Food writer)
• Tom Bruce-Gardyne: 'Scotch Whisky'
• Ian Crofton: 'Scottish history without the boring bits' (Illustrated talk on Scottish history)
• David Spaven: '200 Years of Railway History in Maps' (topographic and specialised railway maps of Scotland's history)
• Daniel MacCannell: 'Hiding in Plain Sight - Scotland's Lost Industrial Sites' (Historian & screenwriter on built heritage of Scotland)
• Kerry Hudson: 'Lives on the Margins' (Lively Q&A with Scottish author)
• Peter Ranscombe: 'Burke and Hare: Fact and Fiction' (Journalist & author on his historical thriller novel, Hare)
• James Robertson: 'Where the Truth Lies?' (Scottish fiction from Enlightenment to Edinburgh)

Sunday 4th October:
• Chae Strahie: 'Stories & Songs' (Children's Session for 3-7s)
• Gerry Durkin: 'Fantastic Creatures' (Storytelling for young children)
• Keith Gray: 'Discovering a love of books' (Teens & aspiring authors)
• Roger Hutchinson: 'A People's History of St.Kilda' (Author speaking on the archives of St.Kilda & its people)
• Ed Hollis: 'Secret Lives and Concrete Monstrosities' (strange stories that buildings can tell)
• Ken Cockburn: 'The Road North and other Scottish Journeys' (Edinburgh-based poet & translator on his journeys & poems about Scotland)
• Peter Ross: 'Daunderlust - Dispatches from Unreported Scotland' (award-winning reporter on Scotland's unsung characters)
• Alistair Moffat: 'Scotland - A History from the Earliest Times' (From the Ice Age to the Scottish Referendum, Alistair explores the history of a nation)


We’re keen to let as many book lovers across Scotland know about this new festival and would be extremely grateful for any support in doing so."


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on September 17, 2015, 08:41:10 PM
Just published:

Hybrid flora of the British Isles by Clive Stace et al
500pp colour plus maps
ISBN 9780901158482

Dawyck: its fungal heritage by Roy Watling
215pp illustrated
ISBN 9780722345382


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 23, 2015, 09:39:11 PM
New Book expected Soon : Bulbs of the Eastern Mediterranean by Oron Peri


At last : notice  of the  forthcoming publication by the AGS  of the eagerly awaited book from Oron Peri !!

See details here:
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/bulbous/Bulbs+of+the+Eastern+Mediterranean/437/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/bulbous/Bulbs+of+the+Eastern+Mediterranean/437/)

"  In this field guide more than 400 species are illustrated with over 600 beautiful images"

This will be  a most welcome publication, I reckon.  8)

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on September 26, 2015, 11:11:19 AM
The Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix photographic guides are very good for a wide range of subjects. Many are out of print but are still available from book sites. They were going to publish a book on alpines but for some reason it never appeared. I sent a letter to the publishers pointing out the numbers of people belonging to the AGS and SRGC but it made no difference.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 17, 2015, 09:28:56 PM
Some news about the Oron's book printing?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 17, 2015, 10:38:20 PM
Oron still hopes for the book to be out before the end of the year, Yann.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 19, 2015, 09:20:44 PM
so crossing fingers!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 20, 2015, 12:46:29 PM
New Book expected Soon : Bulbs of the Eastern Mediterranean by Oron Peri


At last : notice  of the  forthcoming publication by the AGS  of the eagerly awaited book from Oron Peri !!

See details here:
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/bulbous/Bulbs+of+the+Eastern+Mediterranean/437/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/bulbous/Bulbs+of+the+Eastern+Mediterranean/437/)

"  In this field guide more than 400 species are illustrated with over 600 beautiful images"

This will be  a most welcome publication, I reckon.  8)





Oron tells me the book is being printed now!   8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 12, 2015, 05:21:29 PM
Several iris books, i think it could interest several growers

[attachimg=1]

http://www.historiciris.org/articles/ref-ebook-downloads.html (http://www.historiciris.org/articles/ref-ebook-downloads.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Palustris on December 12, 2015, 06:00:14 PM
A word of warning about the Bulbs of the Mediterranean. The AGS have dropped the offer on it, so now it will cost you £37 pounds or so for it rather than the £31 50 as it is in the AGS News.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 12, 2015, 06:27:31 PM
A word of warning about the Bulbs of the Mediterranean. The AGS have dropped the offer on it, so now it will cost you £37 pounds or so for it rather than the £31 50 as it is in the AGS News.

 I hope  this at  least that may mean that those of us who have ordered it might be getting it delivered soon!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 12, 2015, 07:08:20 PM
or i'll claim Santa Claus ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 12, 2015, 07:47:39 PM
News from Diane Clements that the Seed volunteers at Pershore  helped carry in the boxes of Oron's book yesterday -  looks like Santa is on our side!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 15, 2015, 12:41:55 PM
News from Oron Peri - his  book is being packed and sent out from the AGS at Pershore ......

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
the mailbags are filling up!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on December 19, 2015, 12:07:55 PM
It`s arrived, excellent!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 19, 2015, 03:24:14 PM
should wait few more days to cross the Channel  :P
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 19, 2015, 03:48:48 PM
I hope you don't have to wait too long, Yann - the overseas ones were posted first, we  were told. 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 19, 2015, 05:19:21 PM
Not the best period to ship overseas, postal traffic is congested.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 21, 2015, 06:40:34 PM
Santa Claus is a few days ahead of schedule! Oron's book is in my hands ;D
Worth the waiting, you've done a great job.
I think the evening gonna be long today....
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 23, 2015, 09:07:42 PM
My RHS log in doesn't work. I emailed, but never got a reply. >:(
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 23, 2015, 09:30:20 PM
I think you mean AGS log in, Anthony !  The office is closed for a fortnight now,  over Christmas and the New Year.   Employees tend to like  holidays off - the office being closed gives Diane C. and her seed team a bit of  a break too!  (Except  if I know Diane , she will have plenty to do at home for  USA members' permits etc! )
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 23, 2015, 11:45:40 PM
Sorry, AGS. It was a month ago.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2015, 05:26:43 PM
Oron Peri's book has been listed as his book of the year by Robbie Blackhall-Miles in the Guardian's list of Best Gardening books of 2015

 http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/audio/2015/dec/19/sow-grow-repeat-best-gardening-books-of-2015?CMP=twt_gu (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/audio/2015/dec/19/sow-grow-repeat-best-gardening-books-of-2015?CMP=twt_gu) 

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Martinr on January 10, 2016, 04:45:43 PM
Flora of the Silk Road........in case you missed out first time round fresh stock appeared at AGS Pershore last week. That should put a stop to some of the silly prices I've seen around :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2016, 05:55:45 PM
Flora of the Silk Road........in case you missed out first time round fresh stock appeared at AGS Pershore last week. That should put a stop to some of the silly prices I've seen around :)
And a super book it is, too!   Here's the link ....

http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/flora/Flora+of+the+Silk+Road/414/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/sales/books/flora/Flora+of+the+Silk+Road/414/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 11, 2016, 10:14:25 AM
Couldn't wait - I got mine from Book Depository and it arrived last week - Post Free!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: astragalus on January 15, 2016, 06:39:10 PM
Fermi, you'll just love this fabulous book.  I'm hoping there will be another book, Part 2 of the silk road.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 16, 2016, 03:29:47 PM
Travis Owen has written a review  on his blog  of the  Flora of Oregon  .....
 He says -  I wrote a brief review of the Flora of Oregon (Volume 1: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Monocots). Many bulbs are included and illustrated.
34 species of Allium are treated. It has a comprehensive three-page key to the species included as well as several illustrations.

In September of 2015, volume 1 of the Flora of Oregon was published after many years of hard work by editors and authors Stephen C. Meyers, Thea Jaster, Katie E. Mitchell, Linda K. Hardison, and Tanya Harvey. The Flora of Oregon is a three volume set covering all vascular plants in Oregon from ferns (Pteridophytes) to flowering plants (angiosperms). Volume 1 covers all ferns, conifers (gymnosperms), and monocots. Volumes 2 and 3 will cover the dicots in two parts when they are published.

http://shop.brit.org/products/floraoforegon1/ (http://shop.brit.org/products/floraoforegon1/)

[attachimg=1]

Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Botanical Research Inst of Texas (September 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1889878464
ISBN-13: 978-1889878461
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches

alternative cover pic
[attachimg=2]

See Travis' review here :
http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/01/book-review-flora-of-oregon.html (http://www.amateuranthecologist.com/2016/01/book-review-flora-of-oregon.html)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Claire Cockcroft on January 21, 2016, 06:28:09 PM
I haven't seen this book mentioned, and it's something a codonopsis nut like me needed:

A Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae) by De-Yuan HONG, in association with Qiang WANG and Kai-Yu PAN
Published by Science Press, Beijing, 2015.  ISBN:978-0-12-801933-7

It's in English, with excellent descriptions and pictures.  Recent prices are much higher than I paid just a short time ago!

...Claire
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 21, 2016, 07:09:39 PM
I haven't seen this book mentioned, and it's something a codonopsis nut like me needed:

A Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae) by De-Yuan HONG, in association with Qiang WANG and Kai-Yu PAN
Published by Science Press, Beijing, 2015.  ISBN:978-0-12-801933-7

It's in English, with excellent descriptions and pictures.  Recent prices are much higher than I paid just a short time ago!

...Claire
   http://www.worldcat.org/title/monograph-of-codonopsis-and-allied-genera-campanulaceae/oclc/921843521 (http://www.worldcat.org/title/monograph-of-codonopsis-and-allied-genera-campanulaceae/oclc/921843521)
 and for a preview of the book :
 http://www.worldcat.org/title/monograph-of-codonopsis-and-allied-genera-campanulaceae/oclc/921843521/viewport (http://www.worldcat.org/title/monograph-of-codonopsis-and-allied-genera-campanulaceae/oclc/921843521/viewport)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on January 22, 2016, 03:39:38 AM

A Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae) by De-Yuan HONG, in association with Qiang WANG and Kai-Yu PAN
Published by Science Press, Beijing, 2015.  ISBN:978-0-12-801933-7

Thanks for reminding me! It's finally available from Amazon China, 120 yuan plus 110 yuan shipping to Europe/North-America, making the total £24.60/$35. What's the price for it in the west?

http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B019Y8VPTS?keywords=codonopsis&qid=1453433387&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B019Y8VPTS?keywords=codonopsis&qid=1453433387&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 22, 2016, 10:25:44 AM
Rather more expensive, Bobo :

Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae)6 Jul 2015
by Deyuan Hong
Hardcover
£73.65Prime
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
More buying choices
£67.99used & new(26 offers)
Kindle Edition
£69.97
Available for download now

Eligible for FREE UK Delivery

A Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae) by De-Yuan Hong (2015-10-22)1656
by De-Yuan Hong;
Hardcover
£157.70used & new(1 offer)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: arisaema on January 22, 2016, 11:21:26 AM
Ouch, then definitely order from Amazon China... I think delivery time is 2-3 weeks, same packaging as Amazon UK/US, and the web page is in English.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Ed Alverson on January 23, 2016, 09:17:06 PM
Travis Owen has written a review  on his blog  of the  Flora of Oregon  .....
 He says -  I wrote a brief review of the Flora of Oregon (Volume 1: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Monocots). Many bulbs are included and illustrated.
34 species of Allium are treated. It has a comprehensive three-page key to the species included as well as several illustrations.

Regarding the new "Flora of Oregon" - Anyone planning a visit to Oregon will want to read the chapters on the "Ecology of Oregon" and "Exploring Oregon's Botanical Diversity" (author: yours truly!). Together they total nearly 40 pages of text and color photos, including many photos by Tanya Harvey, whose blog and web site on the wildflowers of the western Cascades may be familiar to many of you.

Also, there is another review of Vol 1 in the winter 2015 issue of the Plant Science Bulletin, http://cms.botany.org/home/publications/plant-science-bulletin.html (http://cms.botany.org/home/publications/plant-science-bulletin.html)

Ed
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 18, 2016, 01:45:32 PM
From  http://www.bgbm.org/englera (http://www.bgbm.org/englera)   - new book in two volumes by Arne Strid

Atlas of the Aegean Flora

[attachimg=1]

Volume 33 (parts 1 & 2)
Strid A. 2016: Atlas of the Aegean flora. Part 1: Text & plates. Part 2: Maps. – Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin. – Hardcover, 21 × 29.7 cm; part 1 (700 pages): introduction with 3 figures; identification keys, descriptions and notes for 3316 species; references; 48 colour plates with 16 habitats and 421 species; index; part 2 (878 pages): 3362 colour distribution maps; index.
26 February 2016
ISBN 978-3-921800-97-3 (part 1); 978-3-921800-98-0 (part 2)

EUR 120.00 (both parts together) | ORDER HERE : http://www.bgbm.org/englera (http://www.bgbm.org/englera)

Download the flyer for details :
http://files.srgc.net/general/Atlas-of-Aegean-Flora-promo.pdf (http://files.srgc.net/general/Atlas-of-Aegean-Flora-promo.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on April 04, 2016, 08:10:59 PM
Just back home from a few days in Essex with our son and his Fiancee. Whilst out on Saturday I popped into a second-hand bookshop (as I'm prone to do!) and what should I find but an absolutely pristine copy of "Hellebores" by Brian Mathew, published by AGS in 1989 and for the princely sum of only £8. Just checked the prices on ABE Books Web Site and it ranges from £24 to £110. Think I should buy a Lottery ticket this week ;D

I've had another bargain too this week. For some time I've been looking at "The Plant Lover's Guide to Salvias" by John Whittlesey usual retail price for this series £17.99. I managed to order a copy from a USA based internet based bookseller for £6.81 plus £2.80 post and package. Ordered on 26 March and delivered today. Service or what?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on April 04, 2016, 09:41:03 PM
Atlas of the Aegean Flora is in my next to buy list.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on April 04, 2016, 09:46:31 PM
And my bargain of the day was a remarkably clean copy of 'Wildflowers Across America' by Lady Bird Johnson and Carlton B. Lees for £2.50 in a second-hand bookshop here in Northumberland.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on April 30, 2016, 10:44:02 PM
I've just received the Atlas of the Aegean Flora. I think i now need to replace the wooden shelves of my bookcase by concrete plate  ::). The books are heavy such as their content. What a work, all species are described with precision, size, etc.
If you're looking for a photos book go your way, you'd better buy the John Fielding one. Otherwise for those more inclined to botanic they worth every penny.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about- Daffodil a biography
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 01, 2016, 05:26:33 AM
Has anyone else heard about this new book on Daffodils?
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/daffodils-review-helen-oneills-life-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-loved-flowers-20160408-go1uon.html (http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/daffodils-review-helen-oneills-life-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-loved-flowers-20160408-go1uon.html)
cheers
Fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 01, 2016, 05:54:34 AM
I clicked on the link got a bizarre message asking me to log into Outlook Web App. When I ticked "this is a private computer" it then came up with this: "Warning: By selecting this option, you confirm that this computer complies with your organization's security policy". Ahem. What organisation? It's a private computer! ::)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 01, 2016, 06:17:39 AM
Sorry, Anthony,
I didn't realise that I'd included a link through my work email - which is why it asked those questions!
I've amended the link,
cheers
Fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 01, 2016, 08:44:12 AM
Sorry, Anthony,
I didn't realise that I'd included a link through my work email - which is why it asked those questions!
I've amended the link,
cheers
Fermi
No worries. Looks like a fascinating book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 01, 2016, 02:39:59 PM
From Panayoti Kelaidis..... "I just spent a blissful half hour listening to Robin Parer--a dear friend--chat about the geranium family with Jennifer Jewell and about her new book "The Plant Lover's Guide to Hardy Geraniums" fresh out from Timber Press: http://www.timberpress.com/ (http://www.timberpress.com/)…/plant_love…/parer/9781604694185. Click below to hear the interview and better get the book while you're at it!"

Link for interview:
  http://mynspr.org/post/cultivating-place-robin-parer-and-geraniaceae#stream/0 (http://mynspr.org/post/cultivating-place-robin-parer-and-geraniaceae#stream/0)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gabriela on May 03, 2016, 03:01:20 AM
I've just received the Atlas of the Aegean Flora. I think i now need to replace the wooden shelves of my bookcase by concrete plate  ::). The books are heavy such as their content. What a work, all species are described with precision, size, etc.
If you're looking for a photos book go your way, you'd better buy the John Fielding one. Otherwise for those more inclined to botanic they worth every penny.

Very impressive, indeed well spent money Yann (concrete plates and all  ;)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on May 03, 2016, 12:40:51 PM
If it is still available, Sanders Encyclopedia of Gardening is a useful book giving cultivation details on a wide range of plants. Available via the "net."
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about- Daffodil a biography
Post by: annew on May 08, 2016, 07:18:52 PM
Has anyone else heard about this new book on Daffodils?
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/daffodils-review-helen-oneills-life-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-loved-flowers-20160408-go1uon.html (http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/daffodils-review-helen-oneills-life-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-loved-flowers-20160408-go1uon.html)
cheers
Fermi
It looks interesting, but the bit about the captions being all at the end instead of with the photos would drive me to distraction.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 08, 2016, 07:24:04 PM
It looks interesting, but the bit about the captions being all at the end instead of with the photos would drive me to distraction.
Yes, that does seem odd - and irritating...... like the books which still have the photos all in one place rather than spread through the text.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about- Daffodil a biography
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 09, 2016, 02:39:00 AM
It looks interesting, but the bit about the captions being all at the end instead of with the photos would drive me to distraction.
I'll let you know when I get my copy - if I'm not driven to distraction! If I am then you'll have to wait till I get back ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on May 25, 2016, 02:49:47 PM
The Plant Lover's Guide to Primulas / Jodie Mitchell & Lynne Lawson
I can do no better than refer you to Pam Eveleigh's review http://primulaworld.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-plant-lovers-guide-to-primulas.html (http://primulaworld.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-plant-lovers-guide-to-primulas.html)
Signed and dedicated copies are available from Barnhaven http://www.barnhaven.com/publications-primulas-books/the-plant-lovers-guide-to-primulas-book (http://www.barnhaven.com/publications-primulas-books/the-plant-lovers-guide-to-primulas-book)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 15, 2016, 04:11:33 PM
 Robbie Blackhall-Miles writes about a new book on Carnivorous plants by Nigel Hewitt-Cooper  : http://www.blackhalls.co.uk/carnivorous-plants-by-nigel-hewitt-cooper/ (http://www.blackhalls.co.uk/carnivorous-plants-by-nigel-hewitt-cooper/)

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 05, 2016, 07:14:28 PM
Learn how to  preorder and get involved in helping the printing of a new Crocus book from Janis Ruksans..... http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14685.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14685.0)

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 05, 2016, 07:17:00 PM
Irish  chums, including Paddy Tobin, are involved in this  project.....

Plandaí Oidhreachta, Heritage Irish Plants
 
 The Irish Society of Botanical Artists and The Irish Garden Plant Society have joined forces in a project titled Plandaí Oidhreachta, which celebrates Irish Heritage Plants. It highlights the wealth of good Irish Garden Plants and celebrates the beauty of botanical illustration. In late 2016, the end product of the collaboration will be an exhibition of original paintings and the publication of an accompanying book.
 
 The book will feature articles on a variety of plant themes that highlight Irish Garden Plants, especially those that have come into being since the year 2000.  The latest latest snowdrops, dahlias and sweet pea will be featured along with primroses, iris and daffodils, as well as other groups of plants, including garden plants selected from the native Irish flora.
 
 As of August 2016, much of the work is complete: the paintings are finished and scanned, the sections on different plant groups have been written, and the design and layout of the book are well underway. If you’d like to find out more, including how to order a copy of the book, which will be published late this year, click here (http://irishbotanicalartists.ie/heritage-irish-plants/)
http://irishbotanicalartists.ie/heritage-irish-plants/ (http://irishbotanicalartists.ie/heritage-irish-plants/)
[attachimg=1]
 
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on September 10, 2016, 11:07:46 AM
A friend of mine, bookseller retired, is selling :

3 1 copies of the Atlas of the Aegean Flora, 2 volumes, 60£ shipping included.
2 1 copies of Die Orchideen der Turkei from Kreutz, 45£ shipping included.

2 copies of Flora of the silk road from Basak, 25£  shipping included.
2 1 copies of Sarraceniaceae of North America from Mc Pherson,807p,  35£ shipping included.

The books are new.

PM me if interested
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 19, 2016, 08:19:15 PM
We first heard of this book from Gail Harland in the "snowdrops in Art" thread - I've just received a copy and thought it should be mentioned here too .......
you can find the book here - through this link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowdrop-Botanical-Gail-Harland/dp/1780234929/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453228015&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Snowdrop+%28Botanical%29+Hardcover+%E2%80%93+15+Jun+2016) which benefits the SRGV when you purchase, too!
This  super wee book ( A5 size which makes it a very practical and comfortable read - I begin to find such things important these days!) is called simply, Snowdrop. 

SNOWDROP - by Gail Harland
Another snowdrop book? Yes, but this is rather more than a list of names! There are some notes  about the "new" varieties which have sold - mostly to other nurseries - and which have raised such excitement and derision in some circles - but  Gail spends much more time following the  history of snowdrops in art, in general gardening and about the  people who paint, fashion and grow them.  A book which makes for a pleasant and often informative read -  showing just how much general charm these wee snow flowers have  in so many  fields - no pun intended!

[attachimg=1]




Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gabriela on November 04, 2016, 05:53:46 PM
There is a new short list with books from Kew - those growing Amaryllidaceae may be interested in The Amaryllidaceae from Southern Africa; it sounds really good:
http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029 (http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029)

I don't know if it can be bought through the forum Amazon link.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 04, 2016, 06:49:36 PM
At £90.00 it sure ought to be!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2016, 07:15:33 PM
It is true that some of these Kew books are far from affordable!  The one on Lachenalia is £120 !
http://shop.kew.org/the-genus-lachenalia-a-botanical-magazine-monograph (http://shop.kew.org/the-genus-lachenalia-a-botanical-magazine-monograph)

 Makes Janis Ruksans' offer on his forthcoming  Crocus book a pretty good deal!
 http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14685.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14685.0)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gabriela on November 04, 2016, 07:54:54 PM
Yes these Kew monographs are very expensive but truth to be said they are worth the money - for those interested in that particular genus/family.

They contain, just like Janis book will do on Crocus, everything up to date on that genus/family. It is unfortunate he cannot publish his book through other means and I hope that everyone who is in the position will help. Such are things in most eastern European countries, they still don't make any sense...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on November 05, 2016, 09:18:56 AM
There is a new short list with books from Kew - those growing Amaryllidaceae may be interested in The Amaryllidaceae from Southern Africa; it sounds really good:
http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029 (http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029)
Oh wow, it really does doesn't it?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gabriela on November 05, 2016, 06:29:25 PM
Oh wow, it really does doesn't it?

For those into Amaryllidaceae I think it does Ashley  ;)
Sometimes they go on sale later (I bought the Roscoea like that) but you may never know. It depends how large the edition was.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Jon Evans on November 05, 2016, 09:19:29 PM
The Amaryllidaceae book is not a Kew publication as far as I know.  It is published by Umdaus Press in South Africa and has been a very long time in gestation.  Prices direct from the publisher convert to something just over £85 by the time you consider credit card currency conversions, so £90 isn't unreasonable.  It is also available from NHBS (http://www.nhbs.com/title/209366/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa (http://www.nhbs.com/title/209366/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa)) at a slightly lower price but excluding postage.  They also list the book about the book (http://www.nhbs.com/title/209367/the-book-about-the-book-the-search-for-the-inferior-ovary?bkfno=228496 (http://www.nhbs.com/title/209367/the-book-about-the-book-the-search-for-the-inferior-ovary?bkfno=228496)).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 13, 2016, 08:49:20 PM
Quote
quote author=Maggi Young link=topic=248.msg363704#msg363704 date=1473099420]
Irish  chums, including Paddy Tobin, are involved in this  project.....
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=248.msg363704#msg363704 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=248.msg363704#msg363704)
Plandaí Oidhreachta, Heritage Irish Plants
 
 The Irish Society of Botanical Artists and The Irish Garden Plant Society have joined forces in a project titled Plandaí Oidhreachta, which celebrates Irish Heritage Plants. It highlights the wealth of good Irish Garden Plants and celebrates the beauty of botanical illustration. In late 2016, the end product of the collaboration will be an exhibition of original paintings and the publication of an accompanying book.
 
 The book will feature articles on a variety of plant themes that highlight Irish Garden Plants, especially those that have come into being since the year 2000.  The latest latest snowdrops, dahlias and sweet pea will be featured along with primroses, iris and daffodils, as well as other groups of plants, including garden plants selected from the native Irish flora.
 
 As of August 2016, much of the work is complete: the paintings are finished and scanned, the sections on different plant groups have been written, and the design and layout of the book are well underway. If you’d like to find out more, including how to order a copy of the book, which will be published late this year, http://irishbotanicalartists.ie/heritage-irish-plants/ (http://irishbotanicalartists.ie/heritage-irish-plants/)


 From Paddy Tobin :

Yesterday, at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Martin Rix (editor of Curtis' Botanical Magazine etc etc) opened the exhibition of the work of the artists of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists and launched the accompanying book. There was an enormous attendance and everybody was delighted with the exhibition and with the book so it was a great relief and a very happy day.

Plandai Oidhreachta - Irish Heritage Plants was a joint project between the Irish Society of Botanical Artists and the Irish Garden Plant Society and the exhibition continues until early December.
 Join us next Saturday, the 19th at 2pm at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, for a talk about this project - the plants, the artwork, the book, the contributors and the growers."
 Paddy also wrote :

"After months and months of correspondence and following Shevaun Doherty's work on this project I finally met Shevaun for the first time today and saw the completed portrait of Galanthus 'Longraigue' and Galanthus 'Lady Moore'. It was a wonderful day and was made special by Shevaun and the other artists."
[attachimg=1]
You can buy the book online at http://www.irishbotanicalartists.ie/ (http://www.irishbotanicalartists.ie/)

 This  picture is of Paddy himself with Shevaun Doherty, who painted two snowdrops for the exhibition - including Galanthus 'Longraigue' - named by forumist Alan Briggs and described in the International Rock Gardener e-magazine #73 http://www.srgc.org.uk/.../2016Jan281454019772IRG73.pdf (http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.srgc.org.uk%2Flogs%2Flogdir%2F2016Jan281454019772IRG73.pdf&h=DAQHW7pmf)  where Shevaun also allowed a sketch of  hers of  G. 'Longraigue' to be used.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on November 14, 2016, 11:49:01 AM
I recently bought Plandai Oidhreachta as a Christmas present for Patrick. It's already wrapped, but I had a look through it beforehand and am impressed. The illustrations are first class and the book has been produced to make the most of them, with the pages big enough to show them off and include plenty of text but not to be too big to manage. There is good coverage of different plant groups in chapters authored by various experts in their field (some known to us here). This would make a great gift (to yourself or another) for anyone interested in the provenance of garden plants, with a generally curious mind or an appreciation for botanical art.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Graeme on November 14, 2016, 07:07:35 PM
OH has asked what I wanted for xmas and I said the Cyclamen Genus book by Brian Mathew- does anyone already have it and is it any good as I do already have a lot of cyclamen books?
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 14, 2016, 07:45:54 PM
I'm a big fan of Brian Mathew - and  all his books. Oddly, the Cyclamen one is one we don't have - though I thought we did - maybe my OH has  moved it somewhere - that happens a lot!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on November 14, 2016, 08:00:44 PM
Hi Graeme,
The big Cyclamen book is well worth getting hold of. It is full of new information, much of it from CS expeditions and other subjects including breeding and artistic representations etc. There are lots of photographs and beautiful plates with botanical artwork. I refer to my copy often. It'll be a gift you treasure.

Hope yours turns up, Maggi!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Graeme on November 14, 2016, 09:35:21 PM
thanks Matt and Maggie - I better get one ordered
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Matt T on November 27, 2016, 06:33:59 AM
An update on Janis' Crocus book here (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14867.msg367603#msg367603)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Roma on December 24, 2016, 05:54:28 PM
I got Postscript Books' latest catalogue the other day.  They have all five volumes of The European Garden Flora for £100.  I am tempted but do not feel I would use it enough to justify the space it would take up on my bookshelves which are already overflowing.   
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Palustris on December 29, 2016, 02:56:41 PM
Got the Christopher Whitehouse book on Kniphofia for Christmas. Lovely book, but why oh why did they have to print it on shiny paper? It is almost impossible to read with the light on in the house.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 29, 2016, 03:15:40 PM
 I sympathise, Eric. I hate ultra shiny paper - very hard to read for me in most lights.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 29, 2017, 07:30:51 PM
Forumist and SRGC member, Todd Boland has  just had another plant guide released  8)

Wildflowers of New Brunswick: Field Guide

An authoritative guide to 700 native and introduced species of wildflowers in New Brunswick. A series of page tabs and icons, along with full colour photos, offers easy identification of wild plants.

About the Author

Todd Boland is the Research Horticulturist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden and is one of the founding members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildflower Society. He is author of Wildflowers of Nova Scotia, Trees and Shrubs of the Maritimes, and Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland and Labrador. (http://boulderpublications.ca/product-category/nature)


Available directly from the Publisher, or from  Amazon, ( use the link below to help the SRGC, too!) Indigo  http://boulderpublications.ca/ (http://boulderpublications.ca/)

Todd says his next title, on the Wildflowers of Newfoundland is well underway!


Todd Boland
27 January 2017

"At last the final book in my trilogy of Atlantic Canada wildflower guides is off to the printers. The last book will be the best as it covers the Wildflowers AND ferns from the Island of Newfoundland. Could be on the shelves by March!"
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on March 16, 2017, 09:48:15 AM
Flowers of the Dolomites, 150 species and distribution maps

(https://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/19/21/62/18/articl10.jpg)

http://repository.regione.veneto.it/public/79b6cc0465803b1f37110b974e178cd9.php?lang=it&dl=true (http://repository.regione.veneto.it/public/79b6cc0465803b1f37110b974e178cd9.php?lang=it&dl=true)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 18, 2017, 02:28:25 PM
I heartily commend  the book "The World of Crocuses" from Janis Ruksans - a magnificent book detailing  many deacdes of work on the genus Crocus.
 You can read more here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15246.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15246.0)  ( including a link to some sample pages) [attachimg=1]

From the other forum page you will learn that it will be available soon in Australia and also from the AGS bookshop
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 18, 2017, 02:33:59 PM
Coming soon - the new book from Cliff Booker and David Charlton - Mountain Flowers of the Pyrenees and Picos

[attachimg=1]


"there is an offer (for AGS members only) in the latest AGS Newsletter that sells our book for only £7 each (with no limit on numbers, as far as I know), so you could actually place a joint order for all your members delivered to one address … the book is being distributed and sold exclusively by Collett's Mountain Holidays and they will supply the AGS and Amazon"
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 22, 2017, 04:15:17 PM
Todd Boland
27 January 2017

"At last the final book in my trilogy of Atlantic Canada wildflower guides is off to the printers. The last book will be the best as it covers the Wildflowers AND ferns from the Island of Newfoundland. Could be on the shelves by March!"

  And indeed , here is that book - with the author........

[attachimg=1]

it to add:  http://boulderpublications.ca/boulder4/product/wildflowers-and-ferns-newfoundland-field-guide (http://boulderpublications.ca/boulder4/product/wildflowers-and-ferns-newfoundland-field-guide)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 06, 2017, 04:09:50 PM
   
Great offer on Yasemin Koneralp Book, Wild Flowers of Turkey  - see details here :

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15311.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15311.0)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 03, 2017, 05:51:26 PM
'Violas of Britain and Ireland' ISBN-13: 9780901158505   - by Michael Porter  & Michael Foley, published by BSBI and spoken well of by John Grimshaw. 
http://www.nhbs.com/series/2757/bsbi-handbooks (http://www.nhbs.com/series/2757/bsbi-handbooks)

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ranunculus on May 06, 2017, 01:39:39 AM
Now available from Collett's Mountain Holidays.

Link:-   https://www.colletts.co.uk/dolomites/mountain-flowers-the-dolomites/ (https://www.colletts.co.uk/dolomites/mountain-flowers-the-dolomites/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 06, 2017, 05:46:23 PM
Now available from Collett's Mountain Holidays.

Link:-   https://www.colletts.co.uk/dolomites/mountain-flowers-the-dolomites/ (https://www.colletts.co.uk/dolomites/mountain-flowers-the-dolomites/)

Beat me to it, Cliff!
Those who recall the first of these books, the one relating to the Dolomites, will not be surprised to learn that the second book from Cliff Booker and David Charlton, this time on the Pyrenees and Picos,  follows on the very successful  theme. This book is a genuine "pocket" guide - something to be valued in itself, since most of us are not  blessed with minions to carry great tomes of reference on our walking holidays!  This neat, ring bound book will fit in any pocket and make a valuable  contribution to helping to identify the plants  likely to be found on a trip to the area - the pages are coated with some natty water-resistant material  (they may even be fully water-proof- I cannot bring myself to test that!) so with the arrangement of the  plants  by flower colour and habitat, it is simplicity itself to find  the target. Useful for  beginners or  for those more experienced  visitors to double-check fuzzy memories. 
The photography is excellent - of course - and even for a wet afternoon browse in the UK, both these books are a pleasure to read - for those planning a trip to the areas covered by either book I would think they are an essential part of one's kit to increase  the pleasure to be found in seeing so many delightful flowers in their natural habitat.

The purchase price is very reasonable too, which doesn't hurt. Plenty would charge a lot more for such a useful publication.
Buy it - then book a holiday with the authors- that'll be even more fun!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on May 13, 2017, 12:26:05 PM
... those growing Amaryllidaceae may be interested in The Amaryllidaceae from Southern Africa; it sounds really good:
http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029 (http://shop.kew.org/the-amaryllidaceae-of-southern-africa?utm_source=KewBooks&utm_campaign=bccad35d7c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_86ab81d40a-bccad35d7c-124876029)
Recently I was lucky enough to receive a gift of this book, & think it's superb: authoritative (reflecting Graham Duncan's extensive experience), comprehensive and very beautiful.
Well worth the investment for anyone interested in this family 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on May 25, 2017, 09:56:41 AM
This time ebooks, if you're curious of plants from south-west of France, you should visit and download stuff from this website

http://www.arbres-lozere.fr/ (http://www.arbres-lozere.fr/)

(http://www.arbres-lozere.fr/image4.jpg?v=30ae184nbhinztt)
(http://www.arbres-lozere.fr/2-ASTERACEES-001.jpg?v=1k52tokkbgwiop)

each books contains detail of roots, foliage, flowers for each species. Really nice work, freely offered
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 25, 2017, 12:58:27 PM
That's a super site, Yann - worth knowing about for sure. Just click on the title of interest and there's a speedy download.  Excellent.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on July 10, 2017, 03:53:28 PM
The lily species and their bulbs by Pontus Wallstén
A nice book on species lilies.
Arrived here a couple of days ago, and an instant favourite.
The main section of the book, covers about 60 species in alphabetical order.
A double page spread for each species, giving a photo or two of the flower, and a photo or two of the bulb.
A few brief paragraphs covering the place of origin and the time of discovery of the specie, an idea of the growing conditions and how easy it is to grow. A brief description of the bulb.
The back of the book briefly covers some species which are impossible to find and impossible to grow, and a section on some interviews with current lily enthusiasts.
Its a nicely laid out book, nicely produced.
Details of how to get a copy are on the author's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PontusWallstenPlants/ (https://www.facebook.com/PontusWallstenPlants/)
Accepts payment by Paypal, and arrived within the week.
Is a signed up forum member: pontus
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Giles on July 10, 2017, 03:59:07 PM
The cover, and a typical spread:
Title: Pontus Wallsten - The lily species and their bulbs
Post by: Maggi Young on July 10, 2017, 04:28:58 PM
 I have just received a copy of this excellent book by Pontus Wallsten, so Giles has beaten me to the "draw" ! :)

A most excellent book, with immensely useful photos of the bulbs as well as the plants and flowers, which  is  unusual an most informative.   I particularly like the  segments about  various  lily growers in different countries.  Always nice to have a human side to any story, I think.

For members who wish to order the book, you should order from Pontus directly by email:
 pontus.wallsten@bluewin.ch
price is £ 40, or $ 47, or 45 CHF (depending on where people live)
postage costs will also vary depending on country, aproximately £ 10-£ 20

A worthwhile investment for lily  fans.



Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 17, 2017, 01:14:40 PM
Quote
Todd Boland
27 January 2017

"At last the final book in my trilogy of Atlantic Canada wildflower guides is off to the printers. The last book will be the best as it covers the Wildflowers AND ferns from the Island of Newfoundland. Could be on the shelves by March!"

More good news from Todd Boland ....

 "I just found out that my Wildflowers of Nova Scotia guide made it to the "150 Books of Influence in Nova Scotia". What an honour! Thanks Geoff Framptom for entering this book! And thanks to Gavin Will and Stephanie Porter for making this book a reality."

[attachimg=1]
Title: A Survey of the Genus Narcissus
Post by: Jon Evans on October 04, 2017, 10:51:11 AM
Anyone with more than a passing interest in Narcissus will remember Mike Salmon, who ran Monocot Nursery, specialising in bulbs of all kinds, for many years, and whose abiding primary interest was the genus Narcissus.  For something like 45 years, Mike has been preparing a book on the genus, “A Survey of the Genus Narcissus”, which has now been published.

Having just returned from holiday, I haven’t had a chance for a detailed examination of my own copy, but I can add the following from a brief skim of the contents.

This is a large format (about A4), hefty volume, packed with useful information very attractively presented. A double page spread is allocated for each subspecies with additional pages as needed especially to show differences between subspecies. The double page includes a detailed botanical description of the species together with a map of where they have been found . He includes his collection numbers which can be matched against material available in cultivation, particularly from Kurt Vickery who took over most of the business.  Most striking of all are the beautiful botanical illustrations all done by Mike himself.

Not everyone will agree with Mike’s conclusions, but regardless of that the information in this volume is invaluable.

If anybody is interested they can obtain a copy direct from the printer : Price £44.99 (there may be additional charges for overseas postage).

Graeme Best
The Somerton Printery Ltd
Canvin Court
Somerton Business Park
Somerton
TA11 6SB

Tel 01458 272368

e-mail info@somertonprintery.com
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 04, 2017, 11:28:49 AM
Jon, thank  you so much for  this post about Mike Salmon's book. I knew it was finally available but   I confess I have yet to order one myself - I will remedy that now.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Chris Johnson on October 04, 2017, 03:21:02 PM
What a delightful looking publication with generous proportions. I will order a copy too.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: annew on October 05, 2017, 11:54:11 AM
Will give some heavy hints re Christmas presents...
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 09, 2017, 01:38:01 PM
Reposting this from the galanthus section. Mention has been made there before of the Bavcon snowdrop books but Ingrid thinks this may be of general interest to  members and I agree!

Christmas List options!

Yesterday, received a delightful parcel from Joze Bavcon, full of excellent books on Slovenian Flora.

In addition to his book on Snowdrops, two on companion plants i.e. Cyclamen and Hellebores. Great data on species, distribution and growing conditions in the wild.

Four other more general books on Slovenian plants. Not had the chance to scan these fully yet but they look of the usual very high standard.

All with superb photos and an English translation.

If you want to obtain any, email Joze on joze.bavcon@guest.arnes.si


[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 18, 2017, 04:02:12 PM
Mention has been made before in these pages about the excellent books  written by Cliff Booker and David Charlton, namely,  Mountain Flowers - The Dolomites  and Mountain Flowers - Pyrenees and Picos - truly pocket-sized guides to seeing and identifying  the plants in these wonderful flower-filled places  - at last these books are now available via Amazon - follow these links to  buy the books - and also to benefit the SRGC via the Amazon link!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountain-Flowers-Dolomites-Cliff-Booker/dp/0957162804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513612881&sr=1-1&keywords=%27Mountain+Flowers+-+The+Dolomites%27+by+Cliff+Booker+and+David+Charlton (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountain-Flowers-Dolomites-Cliff-Booker/dp/0957162804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513612881&sr=1-1&keywords=%27Mountain+Flowers+-+The+Dolomites%27+by+Cliff+Booker+and+David+Charlton)

[attachimg=1]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountain-Flowers-Pyrenees-Booker-Charlton/dp/0957162812/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513612109&sr=1-1&keywords=%27Mountain%20Flowers%20-%20Pyrenees%20and%20Picos%27 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mountain-Flowers-Pyrenees-Booker-Charlton/dp/0957162812/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513612109&sr=1-1&keywords=%27Mountain%20Flowers%20-%20Pyrenees%20and%20Picos%27)

[attachimg=2]
Title: 2018 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 23, 2018, 09:57:14 PM
From Todd Boland :
"My newest book will be out next month! Moving on from Wild Flora guides to Gardening. This is the first of a series of gardening books I have lined up for release over the next few years. All will be released through Boulder Publishing as the Atlantic Botanic Collection (ABC for short!) "


https://boulderbooks.ca/authors/todd-boland/

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: 2018 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on June 07, 2018, 08:55:40 PM
I was offered in february a book about steppes and didn't read it until mid-may. What a mistake on my part, i litteraly eat the book in 2 weeks, even english is not your first language it can be easily read. Many short paragraphs and beautiful photos of plants and landscapes.

Eurasia, south Africa, central America and north part, Patagonia are covered in the 360 pages of this book.

Steppes: The Plants and Ecology of the World's Semi-Arid Regions

[attachimg=1]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steppes-Plants-Ecology-Semi-Arid-Regions/dp/1604694653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528401640&sr=8-1&keywords=Steppes%3A+The+Plants+and+Ecology+of+the+World%27s+Semi-Arid+Regions+Hardcover (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steppes-Plants-Ecology-Semi-Arid-Regions/dp/1604694653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528401640&sr=8-1&keywords=Steppes%3A+The+Plants+and+Ecology+of+the+World%27s+Semi-Arid+Regions+Hardcover)

Maggi i let you add the affiliate link - I have done that, Yann , M .
Title: Re: 2018 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 04, 2018, 07:54:31 PM
The Secrets of  Great Botanists and What They  Teach Us About Gardening - Matthew Biggs

[attachimg=1]

A very pleasant afternoon  has been spent on this new book from gardener Matthew Biggs, well known not only for his books  but also from his TV and Radio work with Gardeners' Question Time.

Of the botanists  featured, I have to mention George Forrest first - because of the Scottish Rock Garden Club connections - GF is  commemorated  in the  premier award at SRGC shows! The book has  portraits of the lives of  35 botanists, "plant collectors and gardening pioneers of the past and present"  who have had a marked influence on the world of botany and  by extension, us all.     Men are in the majority -  there is much mention of  being the "father of....."  but it is good to see women being  given their place too.

The  women included are all pretty amazing - some of whom I knew very little about - so that was probably my best lesson from the book.  It was fascinating  to see Matt's choice of  who was included - after all, it's a pretty big field  of  hardworking  folk to whom we owe so much  if we have any interest in  botany and  plants - whether for eating, medicine or  ornamenting our homes and gardens. I do think the book will be of great interest to those with a plant  addiction who want to found out more about how the world  learned about  plants and their uses - to give readers a more rounded view of the  world of plants from other  directions.    Even for some of those I thought I knew quite a bit about I learned something new. In the  sections about  how  gardeners might be inspired  by the  botanists and their work, the author has an interesting "take"  on what he thinks we can best glean from each person - some handy tips there, for sure.

[attachimg=2]

I read it from cover to cover in one sitting - I'm not one for dipping into a book on first reading - I prefer to get an overview of the whole.  That is not to say the book is not going to be good for some fruitful "dipping", by the way!  A book that will be of interest to any gardener, I think - and  will make a great gift since it is  not too expensive.

 Link to buy it....      https://tinyurl.com/y8rtw8qp (https://tinyurl.com/y8rtw8qp)   

RHS  The Secrets of  Great Botanists and What They  Teach Us About Gardening - Matthew Biggs

 Hardcover: 224 pages
    Publisher: Mitchell Beazley (4 Oct. 2018) www.octopusbooks.co.uk (http://www.octopusbooks.co.uk)
    Language: English
    ISBN-10: 9781784724979
    ISBN-13: 978-1784724979
    ASIN: 1784724971
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 24, 2018, 11:07:55 PM
Iridaceae presenti in Italia

http://www.editricesapienza.it/sites/default/files/4679_Colasante_Iridaceae.pdf (http://www.editricesapienza.it/sites/default/files/4679_Colasante_Iridaceae.pdf)

a nice book for those italian language isn't a problem...and for the others as second half is in english ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Book You Might Like to Hear About 2019
Post by: Blonde Ingrid on January 03, 2019, 01:15:33 PM
Just received two wonderful books from Dr Joze Bavcon at the  University of Ljubljana, Botanical Gardens.

Joze is very well known for his excellent book on snowdrops, well worth adding to your collection, if you have not got it!

These two latest ones are on 'Daffodils in Slovenia' and 'The Flora of Franja', both superb. There are many other books on offer on the following link. The books all have English translations alongside the Slovenian and all funds support his institution!

http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/de/ (http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/de/)

Enjoy!
Title: 2019 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 29, 2019, 02:12:06 PM
A note from Pam Eveleigh.... A new book out that may be of interest to some of you by Alistair Watt. He is also the author of a book about plant hunter Robert Fortune.

[attachimg=1]
ISBN 978-0-646-59786-7
 contact Alistair Watt   alistairwatt@bigpond.com

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 08, 2019, 05:02:49 PM
A handy suggestion from Billy  Carruther of  Binny Plants - paeonia specialists .....
"Well it looks like it's going to be an extremely wet and wild weekend. I'm planning to spend most of it on the sofa, under a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. If you'd like to do the same, Boyko and I can recommend this delightful wee book 'Peonies' by Gail Harland. It's full of top notch information on our favourite plant and is now available on our website here: https://www.binnyplants.com/herbaceous-peonies-a-k/peonies-hardy-plant-society-booklet (https://www.binnyplants.com/herbaceous-peonies-a-k/peonies-hardy-plant-society-booklet)  "

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gail on February 08, 2019, 06:16:50 PM
Thanks Billy, delighted to see a dog who shares our love of peonies (as opposed to my Newfoundland who used to create havoc by rolling on 'Buckeye Belle').  :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Leena on February 09, 2019, 11:24:32 AM
(as opposed to my Newfoundland who used to create havoc by rolling on 'Buckeye Belle').  :)

Ouch, your poor 'Buckeye Belle'. Congratulations for the book, peonies are such wonderful plants. :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gail on February 09, 2019, 11:58:00 AM
One of my favourite peony books is from Finland; the only words I understand are the scientific names but it is just a beautifully presented book with inspirational photos and fortunately the images don't need translation.

(Pionit by Rea Peltola and Vesa Koivu  Tammi, Hameenlinna, Finland 2007 280 pages ISBN 978-951-31-3370-2)
Title: Re: 2019 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on October 07, 2019, 12:26:30 PM
From Christopher Gardner and  Basak Guner Gardner :- " We are so happy to announce that our new book is published now and on the shelves of many bookstores and also available online.
We hope you enjoy it."

Flora of the Mediterranean with California, Chile, Australia and  South Africa   - An Illustrated Guide
ISBN 9781472970268

 [attachimg=1]

About this  book:

The Mediterranean – a land of blues skies, warm sunshine, rugged mountains and azure seas. Yet this familiar image conceals another Mediterranean – a secret landscape populated by a dazzling variety of wild flowers and plants, from spectacular orchids and ancient olive trees to delicate snowdrops and hardy cacti. Following on from their widely acclaimed Flora of the Silk Road, Chris and Basak Gardner present a stunning selection of 600 of the finest wild flowers that grow in the Mediterranean regions of the world.

Travelling across five continents – Europe, North America, Africa, South America and Australia – the authors reveal the rich botanical profusion that makes up the flora of the Mediterranean regions of the world. For each region, a succession of the most outstanding flowers is featured, from the spectacular and exotic to the beautiful yet familiar, with each plant presented in its natural habitat. Beginning with the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, the reader is taken along the rugged Atlas Mountains, through Andalucía and Italy, to arrive at the amazing botanical richness of Greece, southern Anatolia and Jordan. In California and Chile the journey is through flowering deserts, snow-capped peaks and towering forests of redwood and monkey puzzle trees, beside a coast lapped by the Pacific Ocean. The ancient landscapes of Southern Australia provide a truly remarkable assemblage of astonishing flora, whilst the Western Cape of South Africa is home to an unimaginable diversity of flora. The accompanying text provides descriptions of the species, plant families and their distribution, as well as offering guidance to those wishing to photograph plants in the wild.

With 600 stunning colour photographs, and presenting a breadth of flora never before brought together in a single volume, the authors offer a unique window on the floral wonders of the Mediterranean world.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/flora-of-the-mediterranean-9781472970268/?fbclid=IwAR2gq1IGpvOK3QTt769hNJnfOQV3KTimLWZDg_eXcr1NmdFUkavtc1tnseI (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/flora-of-the-mediterranean-9781472970268/?fbclid=IwAR2gq1IGpvOK3QTt769hNJnfOQV3KTimLWZDg_eXcr1NmdFUkavtc1tnseI)
Title: Re: 2019 Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 15, 2019, 09:26:56 PM
Someone know when Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Eastern Mediterranean will be released?
It was already postponed to mid october and seems again delayed.
I emailed Chris Thorogood but had no answer.

 
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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 27, 2019, 08:28:33 PM
free ebooks  :D

[attachimg=1]

http://www.lucoli.it/floradilucoli/Orchidee%20spontanee%20d'Abruzzo.pdf (http://www.lucoli.it/floradilucoli/Orchidee%20spontanee%20d'Abruzzo.pdf)

[attachimg=2]

http://www.lucoli.it/floradilucoli/Guida_fotografica_alla_flora_di_Campo_Felice.pdf (http://www.lucoli.it/floradilucoli/Guida_fotografica_alla_flora_di_Campo_Felice.pdf)

[attachimg=3]

http://www.giovannispagnoli.com/Giovanni_Spagnoli/Orchidee_spontanee..._files/Orchidee%20Spontanee%20nell%27Amerino.pdf (http://www.giovannispagnoli.com/Giovanni_Spagnoli/Orchidee_spontanee..._files/Orchidee%20Spontanee%20nell%27Amerino.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ruweiss on November 28, 2019, 08:01:06 PM
Yann, thank you so much for presenting us these beautiful and
interesting books.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 06, 2019, 09:38:27 PM
Knowledge without sharing worth nothing

This time the bible for all Scilla addicts, FRANZ SPETA

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https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/NKJB_25_0019-0198.pdf (https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/NKJB_25_0019-0198.pdf)

It's currently snowing in the Alps, summer is still far away ( :-\)  so you can study the whole flora of the Haute Alpes

Atlas de la flore des Hautes Alpes

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http://www.cbn-alpin-biblio.fr/GEIDEFile/BB_13627.pdf?Archive=197677991585&File=BB%5F13627%5Fpdf (http://www.cbn-alpin-biblio.fr/GEIDEFile/BB_13627.pdf?Archive=197677991585&File=BB%5F13627%5Fpdf)

And old book always in my smartphone when going to Pyrénées orientales (spanish and french sides), full of locations where to find plants.

Flora de la Vall de Ribes

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[attachimg=4]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11lKQ-9Gn7c9z_UDZtAlMD7dXY2evaVU5 (https://drive.google.com/open?id=11lKQ-9Gn7c9z_UDZtAlMD7dXY2evaVU5)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 07, 2019, 05:53:26 PM
La Rete Natura 2000 in Piemonte
more than 550 pages about the most interesting areas of this beautiful italian region.

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1siQ25AuczweMxM6RH44UryOqKZxlK54g

I host the file so i hope link is well shared for everyone.


FLORA AMENAZADA Y ENDÉMICA DE SIERRA NEVADA

[attachimg=2]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1U6FZ8i4S3dHeeQxkFGXEIXRPlCeyrKDu

Flora Amorgina
for those interested by the greek flora, it's been freely published.

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Afle3uSjJQfPzH7ujRjCsL94oYiBPqKi

Crocus of Greece
a must have and it's free!

[attachimg=4]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=112agRhyyRydEKapAVgLmictwbmMbH5We
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 07, 2019, 09:49:32 PM
back to Spain

Flora del Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró

[attachimg=1]

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254471155_Flora_del_Parc_Natural_del_Cadi-Moixero_i_de_les_serres_veines (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254471155_Flora_del_Parc_Natural_del_Cadi-Moixero_i_de_les_serres_veines)

La Gomera Entre bosques y taparuchas

Tenerife also host many alpines plants on the Teide (3750m), La Gomera the sister islet host many rare plants among the hills and the humid forests

[attachimg=2]

http://www.iehcan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Libro-JTB-2016v3.pdf (http://www.iehcan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Libro-JTB-2016v3.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on December 08, 2019, 09:14:21 AM
Many thanks  Yann for these wide range of stimulating read - a brightening effect
for the dull days now!

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 15, 2019, 05:47:55 PM
LA FLORA Y VEGETACIÓN DEL ANDÉVALO

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http://www.jolube.es/pdf/Flora_vegetacion_Andevalo_2008.pdf (http://www.jolube.es/pdf/Flora_vegetacion_Andevalo_2008.pdf)

A book i used to prepare several orchids trips to Extramadura, it was released to public in 2012. UTM datas for those using GPS.

[attachimg=2]

https://floramontiberica.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/folia_botanica_extremadurensis_3_2009.pdf (https://floramontiberica.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/folia_botanica_extremadurensis_3_2009.pdf)

Orquideas_Grazalema

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http://www.jolube.es/pdf/Orquideas_Grazalema_2008.pdf (http://www.jolube.es/pdf/Orquideas_Grazalema_2008.pdf)


Guía de las especies de interés de la flora del Andévalo y la Sierra de Huelva

[attachimg=4]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UEuapjyLhcbMoIlUfzouoM6ffDfxRcgP (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UEuapjyLhcbMoIlUfzouoM6ffDfxRcgP)


Guía de las Orquídeas de la Communita Valenciana, 368p a great guide better than most expensive orchids books, must add to your e-library

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http://www.agroambient.gva.es/estatico/vida-silvestre/Libros%20Colecci%C3%B3n%20Biodiversidad/Gu%C3%ADa%20de%20las%20Orqu%C3%ADdeas%20de%20la%20CV.pdf (http://www.agroambient.gva.es/estatico/vida-silvestre/Libros%20Colecci%C3%B3n%20Biodiversidad/Gu%C3%ADa%20de%20las%20Orqu%C3%ADdeas%20de%20la%20CV.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 16, 2019, 08:51:05 PM
Something you'll not find to your local library, a document used by CITES phyto services.
I got the greek version as i'm often in contact with customs for my work.

1748 pages, more than 1000 photos.

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[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=2]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10nt_GJJybhh-YzwsqoMAFBW6v5tsDL4k

Italian orchids, this books was freely distributed by the italian environment ministry. 333p

[attachimg=4]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rV-YHfDOkrlwJpKWvOKfJ54LjQLLPKAs
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 21, 2019, 11:20:02 PM
Atlante floristico delle dolomiti d’ampezzo, the best free guide to the dolomites plants 272p

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https://www.dolomitiparco.com/Materiali/Testi/Atlante-floristico.pdf (https://www.dolomitiparco.com/Materiali/Testi/Atlante-floristico.pdf)

Flora of val Camonica in Lombaria, 2 volumes

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B74GKpOnhkpJYUNkMDdWVnppd2M/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B74GKpOnhkpJYUNkMDdWVnppd2M/view?usp=sharing)

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B74GKpOnhkpJZXZpTVJaRjNXMHM (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B74GKpOnhkpJZXZpTVJaRjNXMHM)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 27, 2019, 04:32:02 PM
Flore du refuge de l’Hospice de France, for those who never visited the Pyrénées this destination should be the only one to visit on a first trip. You can easily find +/-350 species in a 4h walk.

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_splPVAAynu3hKPamZjbEeQhTo9eqEEZ

back to Italy (again you'll say)

Botanical Excursions in Central and Western Sicily

[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZrQchXvXerOWAx_kuq0aYXG3Ncy1nkgW
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on December 28, 2019, 08:56:20 AM
Yann, many thanks for these hints - for me personally the paper concerning Sicily seems to be a good reason to visit
this floristically extraordinary island.

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2019, 11:39:44 AM
You can't be disapointed by Sicily, the central part is without any doubt the best zone to explore.
65% of the species are concatrated there. Good reading.

I still have many ebooks to share, hoping it gives travels ideas to some of you.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on December 28, 2019, 03:37:30 PM
Thank you once again for your valuable hints - please continue!

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gabriela on December 29, 2019, 07:43:18 PM
Yes, same as Gerdk, Yann - keep going. These guides are good also just for virtual trips from the comfort of the home :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 09, 2020, 09:08:17 PM
I'm quiet busy those last days but here're new ones

Flore du refuge de Vénasque, Luchon region, France

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1A4fkLde0EiBlZiBRDaBSgY2ZjzEPxlvn (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1A4fkLde0EiBlZiBRDaBSgY2ZjzEPxlvn)

I'll recommend this walk if you're looking for Androsace:
http://www.refuge-venasque.fr/autour-du-refuge/les-randonnees/pic-de-sauvegarde/ (http://www.refuge-venasque.fr/autour-du-refuge/les-randonnees/pic-de-sauvegarde/)


Flore du refuge d'Espingo

[attachimg=2]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LVb5xjsAJ035WpP2fnsyRztrLnZ-yfF- (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LVb5xjsAJ035WpP2fnsyRztrLnZ-yfF-)

Flore du refuge du Portillon

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https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J_VGjK7k8MoAsVZepED9AQz5r2W2mdVA (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J_VGjK7k8MoAsVZepED9AQz5r2W2mdVA)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 30, 2020, 01:59:48 PM
Here's  a  link to  a  review of  Modern Plant Hunters, on the  Reckless  Gardener blog ...
https://reckless-gardener.co.uk/modern-plant-hunters-review/ (https://reckless-gardener.co.uk/modern-plant-hunters-review/)

[attachimg=1]

‘Modern Plant Hunters – Adventures in Pursuit of Extraordinary Plants’ by Dr Sandy Primrose is published in hardback by Pimpernel Press Ltd (www.pimpernelpress.com (http://www.pimpernelpress.com)) at £30.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on February 19, 2020, 11:52:50 AM
This short  e-book  one can be downloaded for free ..... it  is  about the Tromsø Arctic Botanical Garden and as well as  great pictures  of the  garden, features  a number  of  well-known faces  to SRGC folks!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jiuciXpCpjlB0mKr6mHOh6_XQofkCy4S/view

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on February 21, 2020, 08:13:43 PM
Bulgaria another heaven for plants addicts

Important plant areas In BulgarIa

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kij5ISGw03MOs_WqDZefrRULcD0OwLzE
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on April 27, 2020, 08:51:56 PM
Well i'm back with a few ebooks, the pandemic is propitious to reading as we're unable to travel.

Back to Greece (and again some will say  :P )

The mount Olympos, the mountains of the Gods. For those who already visited the region you know the diversity found from the forests surrounding the mountains to the top. 3 to 4 days are a minimum to explore 1% of the area, 65 endemics are found in the last 400 meters before the summit.

Books is in greek but you can copy/past to any translator or for the laziest the vision of the images will make you travel  ;)

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Az5uOepghAcF9VDvQSsZ73ZPeboeBinS
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on April 27, 2020, 09:18:39 PM
Another marvelous mountain: the Parnassos

Not far Delphi and its famous archeological site, the Parnassos range extends up to Vardousia mountains.
Flora can be very late to bloom despite all what is written in the books, north sides are home of many botanical treasures.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DVbF1gXuTr1FBtsj-XF9Xg3v3HHgQOe4
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on May 01, 2020, 07:31:04 PM
One hour driving from Athens the mount Parnitha is often neglected by botanist while it's a very interesting zone.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Vol1 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cFZ0Od_PEtPlA4V42Uhl3IhgYLJId-Xi

Vol2 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Hb5jgJhxFkr6EeGACeBAaXRbCmbQ_InV
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on May 01, 2020, 07:45:56 PM
Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France de la Corse et des contrées limitrophes - Abbé Coste

This 3 volumes are sold at high price on ebay, despite being published in 1901 and 1903 it's still very sought-after.
Almost 2300 pages about french flora, off course no english description.


[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1X7ctWPsW1xru88dJxO2nJINGlQA4ff_U

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gOVVG2GO4o4NP6PaoZicSU7_kgmgxIhO

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18wxtuV7a2Ln-gRGfRTpWabkIIYpo93i6

and the index https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qpqdlcfbG4cDxmrc--erbVS5Xp0CZaJk
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on May 01, 2020, 08:09:56 PM
Oh how it's possible? i forgot the book about Mount Giona, Greece.
In 2010 i spent 10 days with a tent in these mountains, 2400 species grow there.
I think all alpines climates are found there from the dry calceorous cliffs to the wet bog.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-y9Zw7dIfQZ230esSlN-aMy8h0Rt1tdo
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on May 01, 2020, 08:14:36 PM
Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean, these books are out of print since the 80's and hard to found.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Vol1 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SrIjeObLQ1vpeViAsXOcjuqKqZ9RxYPG
Vol2 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x4dsnqhvM-HzC064bETImUEKE4ZRBToD
Vol3 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IgeorftvhCdV-a_01BqDsE9ZtQQP5Qx6
Vol4 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zCXviUDwQL-cYikAFA20sxJONa_qMhq7
Vol5 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Eqi2d667IEcDzTwhTHgDZqRO2tJUDGRJ
Vol6 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tH1A60fSErPwLCVwzhXOu7AWMmctX2Ls
Vol7 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eE4rwG3IjHvCMp3qmQQ5EHMYtvLFxnPO
Vol8 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hI9Ntg5LUYzpij9CRr_tE8wAnGBc3T-s
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on September 13, 2020, 05:53:52 PM
See Gail Harland's review  of the  new  Colchicum book :
https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17563.msg415679#msg415679

The new RHS monograph;
Colchicum: The Complete Guide, by Christopher Grey-Wilson, Rod Leeds and Robert Rolfe.

This book is available from the AGS  bookshop - £32 for  AGS  members
https://www.alpinegardensociety.net/shop/colchicum-the-complete-guide/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 24, 2020, 09:04:08 PM
I know Scottish and English peoples like the Cévennes and Lozère, here's a nice flora of 500 plants growing in this region.

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fpbkE8AVYn06SDu9NPLuEOC-QXzSFJNA/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 24, 2020, 09:20:50 PM
Trees and shurbs of Greece

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HqqmyTRcGu5-xk8ZaK8IXiTQJY1ArM-x/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 29, 2020, 05:52:36 PM
Mount Oiti, located north of Vardousia range, is also home of several endemics plants.
The book is in greek and can be easily translated online. Maps of the areas to explore, list of plants and fauna are available for each site.


[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hWz0oJkMeYcZWup8RcQ6jt2x8P6wmmg9?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 29, 2020, 05:59:58 PM
Fabaceae from north of Greece, 226p. A great guide for those interested by this large family, off course many of the species described are also found in the Balkans and Mediterranea

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C1bdMR5ErfiQ2IEglzPDw2mv49DKtME9/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on October 29, 2020, 06:06:05 PM
back to much colder region, Rare plants of Shropshire,online published

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AKMALv3uBAOUehToncPgs7GuxRDx0ol9/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 06, 2020, 06:21:11 PM
A  Christmas  Gift  idea?

Got this  note  from the Gardening  for the  Disabled  Trust -
 
"Please pass this information on to anyone in the UK and world especially keen gardeners!  We even have some orders from Australia and America!

Gardening for Disabled Trust has just produced a little book called ‘Cuttings’ - a wonderful cornucopia of gardening tips to help us raise some much needed funds.     This is a great idea for a Christmas present for all gardeners.

Best wishes
Angela Goddard "
Hon. Secretary
www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk


Order your copy today .....
And discover over 500 tips from famous gardeners such as Carol Klein, Mark Lane, Alan Titchmarsh: find out what Joanna Lumley, Helen Mirren, Julian Clary and Jeff Beck have in common: and benefit from the combined experience of many green-fingered friends. With sparkling photography and beautiful illustrations, its a fun and informative little stocking-filler for your friends and family. Priced at £10 plus P & P – order your copies today!

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 Order  from this  page  : https://www.gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/get-involved/book-of-gardening-tips/
Shipping will begin mid-November.


Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 08, 2020, 03:20:09 PM
I've just finished reading A plant-hunter in Afghanistan by Christopher Grey-Wilson. I found it to be an enjoyable and informative book of an area of central Asia that I'm unlikely to ever visit, though I've seen the country - tantalisingly - from Termez, Uzbekistan.

The book covers an overland, nine month plant-collecting expedition in 1971. It is well illustrated with photographs of plants, scenery, historical treasures and people. I found the photographs fascinating, the moreso because they were copies of transparencies of their time. Of all the chapters the real highlight for me was the exploration of the Wakhan Corridor.

It is disappointing to report - particularly because I enjoyed the book - that the text would have benefitted from tighter editing and a comprehensive proofing (as there are many irritating typographical errors). Perhaps a second edition could address those points. That said I'm pleased that Chris Grey-Wilson finally put pen to paper to share publicly his travels across Afghanistan. The splendid cover photograph is a fine illustration of the rigours of the expedition and extent to which folk like Grey-Wilson and his principal companion Tom Hewer go to expand our knowledge and appreciation of plants.

A Plant-hunter in Afghanistan is available at NHBS, AGS bookstore or direct at c.grey-wilson@talk21.com
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 16, 2020, 06:14:27 PM
Anthology celebrates  decades  of the  Dundee Botanic Garden

A collection of picture and word reflections celebrates decades of the Dundee Botanic Garden, through the eyes and thoughts of its regular visitors.

https://www.dundee.ac.uk/stories/anthology-celebrates-50-years-dundee-botanic-garden

[attachimg=1]
Dr Mark McGilchrist, Chair, Friends of the University Botanic Garden, and Principal Professor David Maguire holding the anthology
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 22, 2020, 06:43:02 PM
Panayoti Kelaidis waxes  lyrical about  Penstemons in this  blog  : https://prairiebreak.blogspot.com/2020/11/penstemania-shhhhhhhhh-theres.html?fbclid=IwAR2ttJAbbV8EWDPiTEtoH0i6Zi66ezKJ5V0iDkVJ1SrbaIfLqOuHUuMHAW8

- and  highly  recommends  this  new book about  them 

The Heart of Penstemon Country: A Natural History of Penstemons in the Utah Region Hardcover – 9 Jun. 2020
by Mikel R Stevens (Author), Stephen L Love (Author), Tony McCammon (Author)

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This is  the  link to the  book via  Amazon Smile - https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Heart-Penstemon-Country-Natural-Penstemons/dp/1591522617/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Heart+of+Penstemon+Country&qid=1606070916&s=books&sr=1-1

 to buy  to the  benefit  of  the  Scottish Rock Garden Club, as  described  by  Richard  Greem SRGC Treasurer, here : https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12425.0
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 07, 2020, 02:17:36 PM
Orchids of the crimean peninsulta, a lot of nice photos and maps. Texts in russian.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lxdW0kBinCOUCKqDQ2RktY-reCjYvLkf/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 10, 2020, 01:15:21 PM
Another great ebook for those who already explored Turkey or want to (re)discover its biodiversity.
More than 1000p, with maps, gps, list of plants and fauna protected. This is a master piece whatever is your interest in nature.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QdnxvuhgGD7RI_Q8x6_55WC93BLzAYTY/view?usp=sharing

15PM: i modified the link sharing rules to public, i made a mistake while uploading and changing settings.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2020, 02:56:58 PM
Has  anyone  read this new book for Himalaya botanists? 

Magnus Lidén & Pankaj Bharali (2020). Flowers of the Se La – Alpine plants of NW Arunachal Pradesh

 https://acta.mamutweb.com/Shop/Product/40-Flowers-of-the-Se-La-Alpine-plants/DIVA2%3a1429318

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 11, 2020, 03:26:23 PM
No but Magnus published a recent document about Pradesh flora

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327098053_Notes_on_the_alpine_flora_of_Arunachal_Pradesh_including_several_species_new_to_India
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 11, 2020, 04:06:53 PM
No but Magnus published a recent document about Pradesh flora

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327098053_Notes_on_the_alpine_flora_of_Arunachal_Pradesh_including_several_species_new_to_India
  Thanks, Yann!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on December 12, 2020, 07:56:13 PM
Plant Explorer: A Plantsman's Travels in Northern Vietnam by Richard Baines, Curator  of  Logan Botanic Garden   

"This is a beautifully illustrated and in depth account of plant exploration and conservation in Northern Vietnam.
Richard is the Curator of Logan Botanic Garden and has a particular interest in Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Camellias. A regular writer for horticultural magazines and the national press he has also appeared on TV, Radio and Social Media. An extensive lecturer, including Guest Lecturer on the Hebridean Princess.
This informative and unique book is available to buy at Logan Botanic Garden Office Monday-Friday between 9am & 3pm. Priced at £20 -a  fantastic bargain for yourself or an ideal Christmas gift for a loved one.

Available to buy online now: meantime showing as  sold  out but  new  stock coming  soon   
https://rbgeshop.org/products/plant-explorer-a-plantsmans-travels-in-north-vietnam?variant=37403443986586

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[attachimg=3]
Richard Baines  with Lithocarpus pachylepis

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[attachimg=5]
 Gordonia axillaris
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 17, 2021, 11:48:49 AM
Entangled Life: how fungi make our worlds, change our minds and shape our futures by Merlin Sheldrake
Great cover, well illustrated 358pp (including 40pp of bibliography for further enquiry)

I read a lot of non-fiction during 2020 covering a range of disciplines some for pleasure (mainly natural history), some inevitably for work (on planning, economics and transport) and some for topical interest (viruses, politics). And this is the book which left the greatest impression. I thoroughly recommend it.

It is full of insight and wonder bringing together wide-ranging knowledge and research and conveying it in an engaging style. Almost every page is thought-provoking. It tackles everything, as the sub-title suggests, from fungi’s role in the creation of life, to how it can and does influence our thinking and approach, to ultimately where we as a race or our planet may wish to be.

The book is timely: it showcases solutions – using fungi – to address major issues through mycomedicine, mycoremediation (using fungus to breakdown pollutants), mycofiltration, mycofabrication (using fungus as building or insulation material), sustainable food production, energy production etc..
 
As the nature writer Robert MacFarlane says about this book “A dazzling, vibrant, vision-changing book. Sentence after sentence stopped me short. I ended it wonderstruck at the fungal world…”. I can play no greater compliment to the book and particularly its subject matter to say that I am now beginning to consider all things differently. 

Access the website https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life (https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life) and see what became of a copy of his book…and delve also into a range of interesting articles.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on February 04, 2021, 06:25:47 PM
Blumen der Türkei

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]


https://archive.org/download/stapfia-34-103-271/stapfia-34-103-271.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on February 04, 2021, 06:29:05 PM
Einige Endemiten aus der türkischen Pflanzenwelt im Bild

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https://ia802905.us.archive.org/18/items/stapfia-54-001-110/stapfia-54-001-110.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on February 04, 2021, 06:31:50 PM
Photographs of Plants from some Anatolian salt steppes

Realling interesting ebook, i was able to identity 12 years old photos with it.

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

https://ia802908.us.archive.org/12/items/stapfia-68-001-160/stapfia-68-001-160.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on February 05, 2021, 09:46:38 AM
These are very beautiful and descriptive books - Thank you Yann!

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 06, 2021, 04:02:46 PM
Rhododendron flowers disected - new  book from David Purvis

https://rbgeshop.org/collections/book-of-the-month/products/rhododendron-dissected-flora-in-close-up?fbclid=IwAR2TDL2D4Y1bxCJiiuSFGP7L72E85wYiEUEGWV0YuX1JJqwYh7EWMiIMI9I

"Rhododendrons are seen from a very different perspective in this beautiful new book from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.  Rhododendron Dissected features photographs that capture the macro and micro floral and leaf characteristics of rhododendrons, essential for botanical identification, making the images both highly diagnostic and are visually stunning.

Rhododendron is the most diverse genus in the heath and heather family (Ericaceae) comprising of over 1000 species.  It is found growing wild across the Northern hemisphere and as far south as northern Australia, and grows in the mountains of SW China, the Himalaya and SE Asia where it forms an important part of montane ecosystems.

The species featured in the book are mainly from China and the Himalaya, reflecting the Garden’s historic ties and current links to countries, research organisations and floras in areas of high biodiversity value.

The range and beauty of the genus is displayed to dazzling effect in this book, which features the images of David Purvis and an introduction by Alan Elliott from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.  The Garden’s Rhododendron Collection is one of the most diverse in the world, comprising of 7,300 plants from 525 species, many of which are rare or threatened in the wild today. "

Published: 25 March 2021
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 05, 2021, 02:50:41 PM
Frazer Henderson has been posting elsewhere in the forum about  these  free online  magazines -

"If you have an interest in cacti and succulent plants (including their alpine species) you may find the following online journals useful":

Xerophilia (free) -  http://xerophilia.ro

Echinocereus - www.echinocereus.eu

Cactus - Adventures International (free) - http://cactus-aventures.com/pageweb_ENG.html

Carpophyma (free)  - http://cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44658

Cactus & Succulent Review (free) - https://www.cactusandsucculentreview.org.uk/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 05, 2021, 02:53:08 PM
Online and Free are two of my favourite words! So I'll just take the chance to remind you all of the  SRGC's offerings  - the weekly Bulb Log Diary  https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb

 and the monthly   International Rock Gardener e-magazine!   https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=international

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on May 03, 2021, 05:10:54 PM
Useful link to the Cacti of Argentina (including upland species)

https://www.cactuspro.com/biblio_fichiers/pdf/Lambert/LambertEN.pdf (https://www.cactuspro.com/biblio_fichiers/pdf/Lambert/LambertEN.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on May 06, 2021, 07:48:52 PM
Narcisos Silvestres Ibéricos, Colección Fotográphica, by Fernando Ureña Plaza.

Cracking photographs of Iberian narcissi

https://dafflibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Narcisos-silvestres-ib%C3%A9ricos.pdf (https://dafflibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Narcisos-silvestres-ib%C3%A9ricos.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 06, 2021, 08:06:33 PM
Narcisos Silvestres Ibéricos, Colección Fotográphica, by Fernando Ureña Plaza.

Cracking photographs of Iberian narcissi

https://dafflibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Narcisos-silvestres-ib%C3%A9ricos.pdf (https://dafflibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Narcisos-silvestres-ib%C3%A9ricos.pdf)
Couldn't  agree more, Frazer - the photographs of Fernado Ureña Plaza make a tremendous resource  for those  interested in seeing the  wild species and their  variations in the  wild.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on May 09, 2021, 01:31:56 PM
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme 2021 Guidebook
90th Anniversary Edition

Order your copy which features:

    Almost 500 gardens ranging from stately homes to small village cottages; allotments to therapeutic and physic gardens; from formal gardens to wildlife sanctuaries
    Raising money for 225+ charities
    80+ open by arrangement gardens – visit when it suits you
    Private gardens that are open only through Scotland’s Gardens Scheme

Available from https://scotlandsgardens.org/buy-the-guidebook/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on October 24, 2021, 04:52:11 PM
Book recommendations from some of those I’ve read this past year covering botanical, gardening and broader natural history subjects.

The Lie of the Land by Ian Vince (https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2010/jun/11/lie-land-ian-vince-geology (http://(https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2010/jun/11/lie-land-ian-vince-geology)) which is a witty, readable guide to Britain’s geology. It certainly made me more aware of the influences on Britain’s landscape.

The World-ending Fire by Wendell Berry. (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/01/the-world-ending-fire-by-wendell-berry-review (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/01/the-world-ending-fire-by-wendell-berry-review)) Great essays from one of the sanest commentators around. I was particularly taken with “…the care of the earth is our most ancient, most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.” Amen to that. And to think he wrote that in 1977 when we are on the cusp of COP26 in 2021 still trying to seek agreement on what to do ......

The Brother Gardeners by Andrea Wulf. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3209054-the-brother-gardeners (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3209054-the-brother-gardeners)) An enthralling read covering botanical obsession and the exploration of America (with forays elsewhere in the world) for plants to satisfy the curiosity of Britain’s (landed) gardeners. In one sense it is a biography of Britain’s gardening history but as far removed from a dull list of achievements and events of a standard biography as can be imagined. Great fun.

The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf. This is an absorbing, hugely enjoyable and informative book covering the life, work and legacy of probably Europe’s greatest natural historian (excepting perhaps Wallace and Darwin). His influence is recognised by the fact that there are more things named after him than anyone else. https://www.andreawulf.com/about-the-invention-of-nature.html (https://www.andreawulf.com/about-the-invention-of-nature.html)

You should have been here last week: sharp cutting from a garden writer by Tim Richardson. This is a set of essays by the author drawn from a range of publications (viz Garden Illustrated, Garden Design Journal, Daily Telegraph). The author was sacked from the GDJ for being too polemical and controversial and I was rather looking forward to some controversial and challenging views being expressed and whilst there are some – he is at times irreverent - it is not nearly as cutting as I was expecting from the ‘blurb’. That said it remains an enjoyable, intelligent read with some welcome diversions into art and philosophy.  It did make me think about “What exactly is a garden?” – a simple question but hard, I feel, to answer as there is no universal, agreed view. https://reckless-gardener.co.uk/review-you-should-have-been-here-last-week/ (https://reckless-gardener.co.uk/review-you-should-have-been-here-last-week/)

The Great Naturalists edited by Robert Huxley. A really useful primer of 39 explorers and thinkers in the field of natural history from Aristotle (d. 322BC) to Wallace (d. 1913). A biography of each person is presented and their contribution to science and understanding. The essays vary in depth which is to be expected since there are multiple authors. Occasionally one lets out an ‘Ah ha’ when discovering relationships in person or in thinking between the protagonists. There is a helpful bibliography for more in depth study and treatment of the individuals covered in this compendium. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2067086.The_Great_Naturalists (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2067086.The_Great_Naturalists)

The Fly Trap by Patrick Sjoberg. A truly original book – part memoire, part natural history (particularly about hoverflies and collecting), part meditation, part art – which is genuinely witty, engaging, informative and artless. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23164961-the-fly-trap
 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23164961-the-fly-trap)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 11, 2021, 05:27:58 PM
See here for details of a book of the late  Marcus Harvey's collected articles, coming soon :
https://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18714.0
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on November 24, 2021, 09:09:57 AM
'Ramblings of a rare plant hunter (https://hillviewrareplants.com.au/product/ramblings-of-a-rare-plant-hunter/)', by Marcus Harvey.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 25, 2021, 06:49:36 PM
Illustrated flora of Tajikistan and adjacent areas

a great ebook

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https://pbsociety.org.pl/repository/bitstream/handle/20.500.12333/294/2020.0005.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on November 27, 2021, 06:16:51 PM
Thanks Yann for searching out these ebooks and bringing them to our attention. The Tajik book is splendid.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 29, 2021, 12:45:29 PM
My bookcases are now way-over their capacity and the time has come where I badly need to make space available. So I  will start with a selection of Brain Mathew books that I will make available without charge apart from my costs for postage and packaging. If anyone is interested please PM me.

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"Bulbs- The Bulbous Plants of Europe and their Allies"
By Brian Mathew and Christopher Grey-Wilson with illustrations by Marjorie Blamey
288 pages Collins published 1981

Sorry I made a bit of a mess of listing all these in one post but will tryy again||||










Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 29, 2021, 01:02:08 PM
"The Smaller Bulbs" by Brian Mathew
196 pages with 96 colour plates and 8 line drawings
Published by Batsford 1987

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"The Larger Bulbs" again by Brian Mathew
224 pages with 4 colour pages, 24 black and white and 24 line drawings
Published Batsford 1978

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"Growing Bulbs-The Complete Practical Guide"
195 pages
Published Batsford 1997

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: David Nicholson on November 29, 2021, 01:12:47 PM
"The Iris"
256 pages, 36 colour plates, 32 black and white, 16 line drawings
Timber Press 1981 with revisions in 1989

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"Flowering Bulbs for the Garden"
A  Kew Gardening Guide
Published RBG Kew and  Coiingbridge 1987
124 pages

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 12, 2021, 05:59:23 PM
Spring hasn't been so close than now  :D
I propose to discover a northern region of Portugal shunned by botanists: Serra d’Arga.
Only 1h from Porto's airport, the acces is easy from Arga de Cima (where you can find cheap rentings).

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-V9C_skLEtS5yF7TyCkiOWY6wDCW2TRH/view?usp=sharing

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 12, 2021, 06:03:43 PM
Now we're going to Italia,  Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale has published a great atlas of vascular plants.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2o3cO9PaHPh4FGWqgkprPFD341P_Pad/view?usp=sharing

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 02, 2022, 12:28:42 PM

The  "Electronic Atlas of Crassulaceae of the Flora of Siberia and the Russian Far East" includes keys for identifying genera and species. It is not yet a 'proper' book but the intention is for the Atlas in time to be turned into a publication as part of the project "Succulent Flora of Russia".

http://botsad.ru/menu/mir-rastenii/atlas-crassul/ (http://botsad.ru/menu/mir-rastenii/atlas-crassul/)
Title: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2022, 04:43:05 PM
Kenton Seth (USA) and Paul Spriggs(Canada) have written their long-anticipated book on crevice gardening published by the excellent Filbert Press, entitled 'The Crevice Garden - how to  make the  perfect home  for  plants from rocky places'  and the book is open for pre-ordering - see the  link below - for  only £23.25.

https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-crevice-garden-how-to-make-the-perfect-home-for-plants-from-rocky-places/9781739903909

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Publisher
Filbert Press
Publishing Date
21 April 2022
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
    ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1739903900
    ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1739903909

From the little I have seen of the book so far, I am very excited to get it into my hot little hands!

Many of you will already know of the  talents and skills  of these two remarkable men - the number of terrific garden builds they have been a part of, both individually and together, is growing all the time, and this book gives some of the  clearest information on the subject available anywhere. Kenton and Paul have learned from the best,  and are well -equipped to pass on their experience to others in this book.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 12, 2022, 11:25:55 AM
Illustrated Flora of Georgia, a great free ebook. Descriptions need to be translate (use deepl pdf translator) otherwise you can buy the english version.

[attachimg=1]

https://bit.ly/3GsKciw
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on January 12, 2022, 05:32:19 PM
Yann,
Thank you for this reference!
Where did you find all these great books?

Gerd
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2022, 03:10:32 PM
I recently got a new book, "A Passion for Snowdrops" by George Brownlee.
Rather a nice little book, covering many aspects of snowdrops from different varieties their timing in the year, the flower in art and information about galantamine.

 https://www.whittlespublishing.com/A_Passion_for_Snowdrops

£15.99
978-184995-493-8
216 × 138mm
160 pages
90 illustrations (photographs, drawings paintings) colour throughout
Softback

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The same Scottish publishers also have "Patrick Neill - Doyen of Scottish Horticulture"
 by Forbes W. Robertson ( co-author with A.D. McKelvie of the SRGC ' milleniun book)

    "Chronicles the activities of one of the most important Scotsmen of the 19th century
     One of the key figures in the history of Scottish horticulture by virtue of his widespread and lasting
     influence
     An historical insight into the origin and early life of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society,
     including the scientific scene of the time. "

[attachimg=2]

and "Monkey Puzzle Man - Archibald Menzies, Plant Hunter " by James McCarthy

[attachimg=3]

http://www.whittlespublishing.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WhittlesPublishing
https://twitter.com/WhittlesBooks
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 14, 2022, 03:25:23 PM
Yann,
Thank you for this reference!
Where did you find all these great books?

Gerd

Well a bit of search engine "tags" and you can find a lot of thinks you won't find using the search interface.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Gerdk on January 14, 2022, 03:48:40 PM
Well a bit of search engine "tags" and you can find a lot of thinks you won't find using the search interface.

Thank you Yann! I'll ask one of my sons (or grandchildren) for some guidance in order to become fitter on the internet. I hope they will not lose patience   :)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 14, 2022, 05:40:55 PM
Allez another one, i know a lot of people here visited Spain, this ebook contains an impressive amount of infos about the natural parks. Spain has the richest european flora with more than 6700 species and a huge diversity of landscapes, minerals, climates.
Enjoy, for those not reading spanish you can translate as i mentionned few posts before. You'll find maps and details.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YhzwCNYmSi67LVZf6iqlsJ2OTfnv9o1U/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 14, 2022, 05:51:49 PM
A great identification guide for the genius Ranunculus (164p), the doc is in french but photos and dimensions are universal. :)

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfYUXW7sg6Sp_54FHkK40HmcaYVIgDqV/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 14, 2022, 06:18:02 PM
Morroco is another country i visited numerous times, our respective countries having very long relations, long before Charlemagne.

The following document is about the Atlas, in french.
It's great for all those who want very detailed information about sites to visit (GPS for all of them described).

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lOMAI5_gNpAX46C7YBTFt-Yo9H2DmEzK/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2022, 03:47:47 PM
It's still winter and many of us are dreaming of mountains covered with flowers, well untill late spring here's a book about La Vanoise Park. Content is in french but photos and maps will let you find the rare plants and fauna.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qO7LMn4Pj-8NTyOtPPzs9hcrMGt__M-g/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2022, 03:57:44 PM
For those prefering the Atlantic's wind the Algarve is the portuguese region to visit. Well known from botanists and naturalists, the region has spawned numerous naturalist works. Little few with precise maps of hotspots. Here's one free, in german (188p).

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m9JKbel3UHmhl_1eK6FG8VToFspjtVrW/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 15, 2022, 08:45:28 PM
A monograph of the genus Crocus, George Maw 1886

[attachimg=1]

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/52656#page/9/mode/1up
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on January 20, 2022, 02:53:39 PM
Freshly published, The orchids of Armogos, Heraklio and the surrounding islands

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3iquGISN8oJJTUmRfa3Bcfk91tNqtlI/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on March 31, 2022, 01:46:23 PM
From Todd Boland in Newfoundland:

"Got some great news today! My co-authored book devoted to gardening  under acidic soil conditions is now off to the printers with expected release in June. Do you have acidic soil? If so this book is for you!"

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One to look out for!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on April 13, 2022, 06:00:07 PM
Rocking all over the world with rock gardens, flowers surviving snow then sunshine  plus a book review of 'The Crevice Garden' in #BulbLog
https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/220413104237BULB%20LOG%201522.pdf

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Latest Bulb Log includes review of great new book by Seth and Spriggs 'The Crevice Garden ' - a must for all lovers of rock plants, regardless of their ambition to have a crevice garden!! Available to Alpine Garden Society members at discount, too!

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The Crevice Garden ISBN: 9781739903909 by Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs,  subtitled  “How to make a perfect home for plants from rocky places”,  published later in  April 2022 by Filbert Press, priced at £25.

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 23, 2022, 06:17:04 PM
Edinburgh Journal of Botany: now all online
"Delighted to announce that the past 30 years (1000+ articles) of the Edinburgh Journal of Botany #EJBotany @TheBotanics @RBGE_Science @EdinDiamond are now freely available #openaccess  at:

https://journals.rbge.org.uk/ejb/index      #taxonomy #conservation #biodiversity #plants"


The Edinburgh Journal of Botany is an international journal of plant systematics covering related aspects of biodiversity, conservation science and phytogeography for plants and fungi. The journal is now online-only and published under the Diamond Open Access model. No fees will be charged for publication or access to content, and the journal will continue to provide the same high-quality editorial and peer review services and publish science of the highest standard.

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on August 23, 2022, 08:24:02 PM
That's great, thank you for notifying us
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 26, 2022, 02:33:51 PM
News from ViraNatura Tours - New book alert🥳
"Wild Edens - the history and habitat of our most-loved garden plants "

  https://www.viranatura.com/
Chris Gardner and Toby Musgrave’s new book will be on the shelves very soon.


If you've marveled at previous Gardner books, then I think this is will be a must! I have no more details at present.

A few page examples .....

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ian mcdonald on November 16, 2022, 01:51:18 PM
Not a gardening book but one which I have found very useful is Britains Insects, a field guide to the insects of Great Britain and Ireland, by Paul D Brock. Over 500 pages of colour photographs of insects with a description. There are many thousands of insects in Great Britain and Ireland and no single book could cover them all but this one, published in 2021, is a good start for the interested novice. Available by post. Sorry, I don,t have a printer to show the jacket illustration.

Added by maggi :
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 (ISBN: 9781874357582)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 27, 2022, 04:40:55 PM
Once again we're entering the winter period and the long evenings are good for reading.
If you like the dry climate of Morocco and Mauritania this ebook is perfect for you.

Flore et végétation du Banc d’Arguin

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qMXY__-B_dKSFvxHhN9NDGC-bDx831cM/view?usp=share_link
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 27, 2022, 04:55:39 PM
a Genius you can find from south of Spain and beyond north Africa. Few books exist on the subject.

Les Cistanches du Maghreb

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZd8kWDdJ4zBrgbMUZKZIJ_VnDddmLxc/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 27, 2022, 05:10:04 PM
Flore et végétation du Sahara

And old book now freely available via the bibliothèque nationale de France. It helped me a lot to identify very difficult genius such Suaeda.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1syFE0a6MNxy96GzxVmLoYZLpPw35pAVk/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 28, 2022, 08:20:53 PM
Wild orchids of the Kurdistan

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CAvaPB2E38HqrXgRQus8o0SYdag20R_f/view?usp=sharing

I did changes in the links as i received many requests, looks like i made a mistake :+)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on December 05, 2022, 11:21:18 AM
I can advise that a monograph of the genus Aeonium has just been published as a special issue of Piante Grasse, the journal of the Italian Cactus and Succulent Association (AIAS). There are two versions of the book, one in Italian and the other in English, both 225 pages long and with around 250 pictures.

You can have a look at the book on the website of AIAS (https://www.aias.info/the-genus-aeonium (https://www.aias.info/the-genus-aeonium)).
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2022, 07:58:19 AM
Spain and Portugal often offer digital version of books released few years ago.
That's the case here with the flora of Portugal in pocket book version.

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https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Guia-de-Bolso-Botanica-I.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Guia-de-Bolso-Botanica-II.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Guia-de-Bolso-Botanica-III.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Guia-de-Bolso-Botanica-IV.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2022, 08:02:53 AM
 Guia da Flora de Portugal is a must have.

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https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Guia-da-Flora-de-Portugal-Continental-Tomo-I-Parte-I.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Guia-da-Flora-de-Portugal-Continental-Tomo-I-Parte-II.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Guia-da-Flora-de-Portugal-Continental-Tomo-I-Parte-III.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Guia-da-Flora-de-Portugal-Continental-Tomo-I-Parte-IV.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2022, 08:08:04 AM
A VEGETAÇÃO DE PORTUGAL is one the best book i read about biotopes and geology and the links with plants, however only in portuguese.

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https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-Vegetacao-em-Portugal.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2022, 08:14:13 AM
Flora of the Almeria region, usefull with UTM locations

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https://www.educacion.gob.es/teseo/imprimirFicheroTesis.do?idFichero=BiPqlUoEfGI%3D
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on December 28, 2022, 08:22:34 AM
back to Portugal, very interesting book for those who have never visited the country or are looking for botanical areas.

Sítios de Interesse Botânico de Portugal Continental

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https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sitios-de-Interesse-Botanico-de-Portugal-Continental_Tomo-I.pdf
https://imprensanacional.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sitios-de-Interesse-Botanico-de-Portugal-Continental_Tomo-II.pdf
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on January 30, 2023, 04:48:33 PM
 Echevaria download book. It's a practical guide to the propagation and cultivation of the genus. It's in Spanish.
 https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/225102/Guia_practica_de_propagaci_n_y_cultivo_de_las_especies_del_genero_Echeveria.pdf (https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/225102/Guia_practica_de_propagaci_n_y_cultivo_de_las_especies_del_genero_Echeveria.pdf)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on June 11, 2023, 09:26:04 PM
Rare and Useful Plants of Ukrainian Carpathians

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KhpCbkqaORGncT1U_KbQluRdkbU4od5s/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on June 11, 2023, 09:29:02 PM
Plants Of Grassland And Sahara desert

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dfy5QjTjtaDwfLUWV6DfcxVjYRhOPR6z/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on June 18, 2023, 05:06:27 PM

TEESDALE'S SPECIAL FLORA by Dr Margaret Bradshaw MBE

I enjoyed this 288 pgs publication which brings to the fore the botanically unique Teesdale Assemblage. This area in the north Pennines of England has been a focus for botanists because of the range of plants to be found in such a small area. Dr Bradshaw, the 97 year old authoress, covers the area, geology, soils, weather, climate and the history of plant discovery in Teesdale (as well as issues relating to conservation and the saga of the Cow Green Reservoir which submerged a large area of plant interest). The bulk of the book comprises species' accounts illustrated photographically. Comprehensive references and web links are provided as well as details relating to the enterprising group/Trust  established by Dr Bradshaw to study, promote and conserve the assemblage.

The book is available for £12.95 at
https://www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/teesdales-special-flora-places-plants-and-people/ (https://www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/teesdales-special-flora-places-plants-and-people/)
other stockists are available.

Here is the link to the Trust established by Dr Bradshaw
https://teesdalespecialflora.uk/ (https://teesdalespecialflora.uk/)

A series of guided walks occur in late spring and early summer:
https://teesdalespecialflora.uk/events/ (https://teesdalespecialflora.uk/events/)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: FrazerHenderson on June 27, 2023, 04:03:34 PM
Identify Mountain Flowers of Britain and Ireland

Here's a handy ebook which can be freely downloaded. Whilst it is not comprehensive it does have a simple, straightforward layout for each species covered with representative colour photographs, an identification key and a distribution map. 

http://www.alanrwalker.com/assets/PDF/Mtn-Flower-e2.pdf (http://www.alanrwalker.com/assets/PDF/Mtn-Flower-e2.pdf)

A useful addition for the beginner botanists in the British & Irish hills.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on June 27, 2023, 06:33:59 PM
RBGE Creative Programmes - June’s book highlight

"To celebrate midsummer, we're highlighting one of the most influential botanical illustrators in Scotland, Rory McEwen."

Rory McEwen: The Botanical Paintings is available to purchase in Inverleith House @TheBotanics
 & online: https://tinyurl.com/4vc7pmda

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Also:  The Hidden World of Mosses by Dr Neil Bell.

    ISBN-10  191087745X
    ISBN-13  978-1910877456

Mosses and their relatives, liverworts and hornworts are often tiny and overlooked, but their importance is considerable - and many in Scotland are  very rare and special varieties.

Written by Dr Neil Bell, a bryologist at RBGE, The Hidden World of Mosses examines the wide variety of species found across the globe – there are nearly 20,000 known worldwide, with 1,000 in the UK alone – and the important functions they perform.


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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:32:15 PM
Important Plants of East Asia, endemics

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dERIe83VlvUw2ASWKkBnrnOqC28ugYWG/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:37:09 PM
Fascinating world: Seed Atlas of Korea

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dLPhQJAq2WSrw83fPbD8tuceta9Z_Hrq/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:44:32 PM
Sylvics of Korea, Clematis, Rubus, Viburnum and much more.
You can use deepl to translate whole pdf.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V1pdqWfQGzJz8X0e1pdZiDx0z2TlDNaP/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:48:15 PM
Flora of Mongolia 4 volumes

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YKcGJSVLmeFi2UUShSZlL0Nvm2pgidMg/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYquGU_L4YMvjUt_iGSbNDIyXPIJ_Hie/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uRuLjPy-XCHB9-pmaHpnt7BHB4UmVtyV/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3xnb8YG2Fi1sAo6MHCJqv3o-ykmX7Q6/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:54:25 PM
FLORA OF THE WESTERN TIAN SHAN 195p

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dj367tqqmAnV_C_yIDeG1QtApgdWl9mG/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:56:59 PM
Cornus, 146p

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rvHC1bwIZ1H2TdFPXhAvuRs0Wq7hVkG8/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 09:58:30 PM
Camelia, 136p

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wSx6mdpWPCIYlUyklkrsVLiVEEwh2HIP/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 10:00:04 PM
Magniola, 184p

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZlsyfYZ3_HsDixjX2OEw1tAzxIimAGEK/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 10:04:31 PM
Iris of Korea, 138p

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqkG7v2nRcmNp2aHEQ5SGqqauDRGaPTh/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 08, 2023, 10:11:24 PM
Flora of Iran, 202p

[attachimg=1]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AJfw9TlJKi1Gh9JDSs8eF_5BjCsMpkn9/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on July 09, 2023, 11:46:00 AM
Such riches, Yann, thank you!
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ruweiss on July 17, 2023, 08:49:03 PM
Yann, many thanks for your good work, it is always a pleasure for me
to get informations from these books.

Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: ashley on July 17, 2023, 09:39:00 PM
Such wonderful forests and plants.  My thanks too Yann 8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on July 23, 2023, 11:58:08 AM
new batch end of august  8)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Catwheazle on July 24, 2023, 04:46:36 PM
lot of thanks :-)
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on August 05, 2023, 01:55:55 PM
Well while outside it's almost 40°c outside, im sorting ebooks for the next winter readings.

A monograph of the genus Geranium l.
(geraniaceae)

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A6kUscGkefqNHSMVSu7dNYh2Xt3NFpQG/view?usp=sharing
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on August 24, 2023, 02:44:33 PM
Frustrating Flowers and Puzzling Plants  (https://pelagicpublishing.com/products/frustrating-flowers-and-puzzling-plants)by John M. Warren is due to be published by Pelagic in October.
"As the book is likely to be of interest to your members we would like to extend the offer of a 25% discount code, which we would be more than happy for you to share however you see fit. "

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https://pelagicpublishing.com/
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 13, 2023, 07:25:35 PM
It's time to get back to business, bad weather outside and load of ebooks, photos to sort, the evening is favourable for this activity.

Flora amenazada y protegida del Parque Natural del Alto Tajo

Alto Tajo is mid distance from Madrid and Saragosse, less than 2h driving is needed to enjoy an unspoiled environment home of Narcissus eugeniae just to name it. 40% of the region is composed of siliceous soils and the rest calcaorous ones, you can easily understand why more than 2500 species grow among these habitats.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AcSLS4GhRmxZ0HsgpjzkFrn1JPXJbOaZ/view?usp=sharing

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 13, 2023, 07:38:59 PM
Montagne e complessi vulcanici della Regione Basilicata

A great ebook for those who desire to prepare their hikes in this beautiful italian region, known for its orchids.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14-Luy4ewLvQTrD5kiCBawhIaSL18cM6t/view?usp=sharing

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 13, 2023, 07:46:30 PM
Colline e fondovalle della Regione Basilicata is the volume 2

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RzfMs-TgNB7T2A8yf0L1MGbSpNwrh_Cx/view?usp=sharing

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[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Yann on November 13, 2023, 08:01:15 PM
Botanical excursions in Central and Western Sicily

A very interesting book if you're looking for botanical areas with a lot of informations about indicators of each habitat (as used in europe to qualify a flora zone).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zXk72IOEGpKeHEX8iBy_42aeAV5lGQlh/view?usp=sharing

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Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: greyWarbler on November 18, 2023, 08:46:15 PM

MOUNTAIN DAISIES A guide to Celmisia in Aotearoa/New Zealand by Jane Gosden
Celmisia – the third largest in the flora of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Available for overseas.

https://www.manukapress.co.nz/mountaindaisies.html

Printed books will be available in mid- December ($30).
The book will also be available in electronic form (date to be advised). Please indicate your interest on the order form.
Title: Re: Books you may like to hear about
Post by: Maggi Young on November 18, 2023, 10:01:59 PM
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MOUNTAIN DAISIES A guide to Celmisia in Aotearoa/New Zealand by Jane Gosden
Celmisia – the third largest in the flora of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Available for overseas.

https://www.manukapress.co.nz/mountaindaisies.html

Printed books will be available in mid- December ($30).
The book will also be available in electronic form (date to be advised). Please indicate your interest on the order form.

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