United States
£ GBP
This horticultural reference book gives a comprehensive account of the family Boraginaceae in the wild and in cultivation. Apart from a great wealth of information on the popular genus Pulmonaria and its numerous varieties, this work describes other well-loved garden plants in much detail, including the stunning Canary Island echiums, the vivid-blue bee-magnets alkanets, legendary herbs such as comfrey and borage, the richly fragrant heliotrope, simple forget-me-nots, as well as many rare and unusual members of the family. In this book a reader will find not only detailed advice on growing and propagating all members of the family, but also fascinating facts on plant naming and classification, their biology, distribution and habitats, and a variety of uses - medicinal, culinary and economic. There are many tips on choosing the right garden habitat for each species and on combining different plants to form natural-looking associations. For those interested in attracting wildlife into their gardens, plenty of information is given on value of individual species to bees, butterflies, birds and other animas. The book also advises where to obtain plant and seeds of individual species, including those that are scarce in cultivation. Extensive appendices provide details of plant suppliers and societies to join, as well as a full bibliography and a wealth of other information for a plant enthusiast.
Maria Bennett is a botanist, horticulturalist and naturalist. She has worked in gardens, nurseries, research, education and training, and has studied Boraginaceae for five years, both in gardens and in the wild, on three continents. She has been ghost-writing weekly gardening articles for a well-known horticultural journalist and TV presenter for two and half years. Maria co-ordinates and leads plant-hunting tours for the Alpine Garden Society.
