Researched and written by South Africas foremost producer of bulbs, this comprehensive, clear and easy-to-use growing guide and reference volume shows you how to create a spectacular flowering garden anywhere in South Africa with bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. The Bulb Book: A South African Gardener's Guide covers everything you need to know about selecting and planting bulbs, bulb and soil care, watering and feeding tips, design in the garden, forcing and holding bulbs to extend flowering periods, protecting the plants against pests and diseases, and how to display cut flowers. An extensive A to Z listing, focusing especially on indigenous bulbs, gives specific details on bulbs suited to South African conditions, with more detailed attention given to the most successful and rewarding species and varieties.
Features: Information on history and origin, size, planting requirements and techniques, further care and propagation methods; Close-up illustrations and beautiful photographs of the bulbs and their flowers; Advice on growing bulbs in containers, indoors and in smaller gardens; Genera and species that are little known but deserve consideration; Bulbs that can be grown at home as food and flavouring. The beauty of these pages can be brought to life in your home and garden as each new season unfolds with your creations of colour.
Charles Barnhoorn was born into a long line of bulbs farmers. After school he left the farm to study further at the University of Cape Town and then worked on bulb farms in the Netherlands, New York State and California. On his return he worked through every field and process at the family bulb business and he is now director at one of the world's largest and most diverse bulb producers, Hadeco. His work sees him visiting bulb growers and specialists around the world and he regularly shares his love of bulb gardening with garden clubs and in printed and online media as well as on radio shows.