| An
outstanding new book for all rhododendron lovers is
Growing Rhododendrons
by Richard Francis (Kangaroo Press $39.95 Australian).
This is a wonderful source book, crammed with down-to-earth
information about everything we need to know about
growing the whole range of these magnificent flowering
plants.
Peter
Cundall, host of Gardening Australia, Australian Broadcasting
Corporation.
"I'm
full of admiration for the material you have gathered
together and for the way it is written ... "
"You are clearly an excellent photographer and
it is a shame there couldn't have been more large format
photographs." Dr
Peter Valder O.A., highly respected plantsman and
gardening writer, presenter on Burke's Backyard (CTC
Productions for the Nine Network)
At
long last a wonderfully cheap, accurate source book
on rhododendrons. Growing Rhododendrons by
Richard Francis (Kangaroo Press $39.95) is extraordinary
value. He delves into the history of rhododendrons,
tells us how to landscape with them and every possible
tip on growing, pruning and general care.
If you wish to know about plant companions for these
beautiful shrubs and trees, you'll find it in the book.
If there are problems, pests, diseases and disorders,
solutions are easily found and the advice given is biased
towards safe organic methods.
There is an excellent, detailed descriptive list of
rhododendron species and hybrids, including azaleas
and vireyas. This is one of the best books I have read
and will continue to read until it fall apart. Then
I'll get another - if there are any left. So you'd better
be quick!
Peter Cundall again. |
|
Did
you know that
* there are over 800 known species of rhododendrons,
* some rhododendrons are epiphytes that live in the
forks of rainforest trees
* the nectar of many species is very toxic and in
parts of New Guinea the flowers are crushed and mixed
with sweet potato to make rat poison?
This fascinating information appears within the first
two pages of Richard Francis's new book Growing Rhododendrons
and it is immediately apparent that this is not just
another standard gardening book.
The chapter goes on to discuss the habitat and distribution
of the plant, its history, including its first tragic
mention in Western historical records in 400BC, the
role of the great plant hunters in bringing the plant
into cultivation in Europe, and an explanation of
its taxonomy.
Following chapters cover landscaping with rhododendrons,
how to grow them, what to grow with them, how to grow
them in containers, how to maintain their health and
how to propagate them. The remainder of the book contains
chapters on the different groupings of rhododendrons
- species, hybrids, evergreen, deciduous and Vireya
rhododendrons. Gardeners will particularly appreciate
the interesting plant notes in the lists.
There is a useful glossary at the back, many colour
photographs and a list of rhododendron societies throughout
the world. The information provided throughout this
scholarly book is very comprehensive - you will find
everything you need to know about these magnificent
plants.
Kay
Gee, Creator and Editor of Australian web-based gardening
magazine Online Global Garden
Growing
Rhododendrons by Richard Francis (Kangaroo Press,
$39.95 Australian) is an excellent guide to the 157
species and 811 hybrids of this fascinating genus. Francis
covers the rhododendron in nature and tells the story
of its cultivation, propagation and protection in an
authoritative and engaging way. The book contains a
detailed listing of rhododendron types available in
nurseries throughout the world. This is an essential
reference work for rhododendron lovers. Cheryl
Maddocks, prolific writer and Editor of The Australian
Gardener |
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