Dahlias (The New Plant Library)
Dahlias have long been overlooked in the gardening world as brash, common, loud, vulgar and garish, a showman's province only. But over the last few years a revolution has been taking place and many varieties such as "Bishop of Llandaff" and "David Howard" are now coveted collector's plants, appearing in gardens up and down the country and across the class spectrum. Easy to grow, relatively pest and disease resistant and a dream to overwinter and propagate, they have received a bad press until now, belying these facts. Thanks to hybridisation, more and more varieties are appearing on the market - dwarf dahlias for pots and containers, more compact growers minimising the need for staking, bronzed foliage and a huge range of flower types from dainty pompoms, sumptuous waterlily, spidery cactus and more. For those who have just discovered the dahlia desire or those already smitten and looking to show, flower arrangers and exhibitionists, this excellent book by one of the country's leading dahlia experts, Ted Collins, will prove an invaluable reference. Not only offering cultivation and propagation advice but show tips and an annual calendar of care, it is first and foremost an identification guide to the vast range of cultivars on offer today. Arranged alphabetically by name, many photographed, it is a guide to the myriad of colours available today. An excellent, long-overdue book on the subject, expertly written and produced. - Lucy Watson--This text refers to an alternateHardcoveredition.