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The Gardener's Guide to Growing Fritillaries By Kevin Pratt and Michael
Jefferson-Brown Reviewed by Gordon Collier, Titoki Point, Taihape This attractive book is a worthy companion to the other titles already published in the series, viz Hellebores, hardy Geraniums, Lilies, Hostas and Ivies. It is the first for over 50 years to be devoted to Fritillaries, that most exquisite flowering bulb, and while not posing as a monograph of that genus it achieves the stated purpose of acting as a practical guide to growers and non growers alike.The authors have had
many years experience as growers of fritillaries and freely share
their knowledge with readers. Kevin Platt is the English holder
of the National collection of Fritillaries and writes with authority.
Together they write in a language easily understood by gardeners
and in explaining botanical technicalities take care not to baffle
their following. Simple black and white drawings and superb colour
photographs back up the written word and are an enormous help with
identification of these somewhat confusing bulbs. The book gives detailed information on botany, cultivation, soils, propagation, and planting of fritillaries. Many who grow their prize bulbs in containers will find the section on pot culture particularly useful. The authors believe that plastic pots rather than clay may be best for these plants. The chapters on Fritillaries
in the wild and in North America are fascinating. The second part of the
book is devoted to an A-Z listing nearly 100 species containing
information on history, botanical status, availability, behavior
in cultivation, and cultural requirements. This will be an invaluable
quick reference. Collectors will be inspired to greater efforts
but many of these species we can only dream about. While some information
such as "where" to buy and see (fritillaries) will frustrate southern
hemisphere gardeners, the appendices with which the authors conclude
provide a useful resource. All who grow these enchanting plants will find this superbly illustrated book seductive reading. I recommend it and look forward to future volumes — Galanthus, Erythroniums, and Trilliums perhaps?? New Zealand Garden Journal: Journal of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture 2000 3(1): 21-22 |
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