Product Description

This new volume, written by distinguished clematis experts and backed by the authority of the British Clematis Society, is the first picture encyclopedia on the genus to encompass the more than 800 garden-worthy species and hybrids.

It is divided into two sections: the first is devoted to the care and cultivation of clematis (including a chapter devoted to growing clematis in North America), while the second provides an A--Z directory of more than 550 plants, from the acclaimed large-flowered forms to the less-familiar shrubby, subshrubby, and herbaceous forms that are beginning to be available. The plant descriptions include information on synonyms, origin, plant habit and height, flowers, pruning group, flowering period, cultural requirements, recommended uses in the garden, and USDA hardiness zones, with more than 650 magnificent color photos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227447 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 428 pages

From Booklist
Climbing, scrambling clematis are among the most desirable vines for gardens, from showy cultivars with huge flowers to vigorous species producing fluffy seedheads that outshine their blooms. Experienced and novice gardeners should equally enjoy delving into this comprehensive yet readily accessible overview of the genus. To inspire readers, Toomey and Leeds provide background history, an excellent botanical summary accompanied by concise line drawings, and sensible advice on cultivating and caring for myriad clematis varieties. The book's extensive directory includes essential information on more than 800 plants (with nearly as many photographs), including the origin, habitat, flowering period, and description for each. Whether the reader is a clematis aficionado or a budding greenthumb, this encyclopedic reference may well prove to be the ultimate resource for years to come, offering gardeners help in selecting plants appropriate for various geographical regions and growing conditions, and detailing the cultural requirements for a plant already acquired. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"At long last, we have one complete clematis resource that combines practical gardening, cultivation, pruning, and disease prevention with botany, history, design tips, and even information about propagating and hybridizing. More than 650 gorgeous photographs illustrate the text."
—Barbara Blossom Ashmun, Fine Gardening, May/June 2002 (Fine Gardening )

"There are many, many books about clematis. This is one of the good ones."
—Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, March 2003 (Horticulture )

"Toomey and Leeds' extensive encyclopedia, which includes 650 color photographs (one for nearly all of the selections discussed in the book), should largely put an end to the multi-volume search. It is that comprehensive."
—Dorothy Rodal, American Gardener, July/August 2002 (American Gardener )

At long last, we have one complete clematis resource that combines practical gardening, cultivation, pruning, and disease prevention with botany, history, design tips, and even information about propagating and hybridizing. More than 650 gorgeous photographs illustrate the text. Barbara Blossom Ashmun, Fine Gardening, May/June 2002 (Fine Gardening )

At long last, we have one complete clematis resource. -- Barbara Blossom Ashmun, Fine Gardening, June 2002

If you love clematis, and encyclopedias, you’ll love [this book], which is the last word on the subject. -- Verlyn Klinkenborg, New York Times Book Review, December 2, 2001

Indispensable for any horticultural library as well as the library of any gardener seriously interested in clematis. -- Choice, February 2002

It is the most comprehensive reference to this genus to date. -- The Avant Gardener, November 2001

The latest and greatest book to have yet come from the pen of Ireland’s uncrowned Clematis Queen, Dr. Mary Toomey. -- Helen Rock, The Sunday Tribune(UK), September 16, 2001

There are many, many books about clematis. This is one of the good ones. Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, March 2003 (Horticulture )

There has been a steady stream of books for the self-styled 'clematarians'. . . but none is so handsome as this. -- David Mabberley, Biologist (UK)

This volume should spark a revolution in clematis growing, while ensuring that the Queen of Climbers continues in her reign. -- Mark Griffiths, The Times (UK), October 26, 2001

Toomey and Leeds' extensive encyclopedia should largely put an end to the multi-volume search. It is that comprehensive. -- Dorothy Rodal, The American Gardener, May/June 2002

Toomey and Leeds' extensive encyclopedia, which includes 650 color photographs (one for nearly all of the selections discussed in the book), should largely put an end to the multi-volume search. It is that comprehensive. Dorothy Rodal, American Gardener, July/August 2002 (American Gardener )

[This] is one of the most beautifully illustrated and informative plant encyclopedias that I have seen in recent years. -- Madeleine Wilde, Kirkland Courier, December 1, 2001

About the Author
Mary Toomey, Ph.D., trained as a biologist, botanist, entomologist, and soil ecologist. A keen gardener, she has been growing and studying clematis for more than 30 years. She is currently editor of The Clematis, the journal of the British Clematis Society. She lectures widely on clematis, gardens, and gardening, and has written a number of previous books and articles. Born in Jaffna, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), she lives in Dublin, Ireland.

Everett Leeds participated in the establishment of the International Clematis Society and the British Clematis Society. He gardens in the UK.

Customer Reviews

If you can only own one
I own every book ever written about clematis. Unfortunately, this book was written by a Brit. That's the only negative for a North American grower. If you can own only one book on clematis this is the one. The author is very generous with her information. At least read this one cover to cover before buying anything else.

Encyclopedia is the Right Word
The word "encyclopedia" is sometimes overused, but not in the case of this book by Mary K. Toomey. The reader will enjoy learning about the huge number of clematis varieties with information on each one. The author even includes the different names that some varieties have in the market. This volume is a must for the serious gardener and especially for the clematis enthusiast. I highly recommend it.

definitive clematis book
and readable, and inspirational. i like that it not only gives the usual flower description, plant height, pruning group but also indicates whether a plant is vigorous, compact, proliferous (habit), flowers early spring, late summer, both (flowering period), can grow through shrubs, against a light background, or sprawling on the ground with creeping junipers (recommended use). and the chapter on pruning, and all illustrations within, is priceless esp since i've just started into group A and B plants (i have mostly group C viticellas that i cut to ground level). i think now that i'd like to start a clematis collection, and try out the other species like integrifolia, macropetala, alpina, texensis, and their wonderful varieties. virtually each page is a pleasant surprise of yet another clematis i've never heard of before, splashed with pictures that are just beautiful. this book is definitely drool material for the planthusiast, to be savoured gingerly on a cold and lazy winter day like today :-]