Product Description

This spectacular guide book details most of the cultivated members of this intriguing family, from Banksia to Grevillea to Mimetes, not just the single genus Protea. The author’s expertise and lifelong passion for proteas is clear in both the text descriptions and accompanying photographs. Essential advice on cultivation, propagation, and garden uses helps readers in the pursuit of growing their own proteas, and a section on commercial cut-flower production previews a future of exciting new varieties.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #270287 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

From Booklist
Otherworldly forms, head-turning hues, and amazing textures set apart the blooms of plants commonly known as proteas. Matthews leads readers to an understanding of the sort of tough environments and nutrient-poor conditions in which most proteas (members of the Proteaceae family) grow, being endemic by and large to Australia, Africa, or Central and South America. Gardeners wishing to take on the challenge of growing these unusual plants in their own gardens will profit from Matthews' decades of experience, translated here into savvy counsel on plant culture, and helpful suggestions for using proteas in the landscape. An encyclopedic listing covers a fascinating array of species and cultivated varieties, with each entry indicating critical details such as whether a plant is hardy or frost tender. In perfect partnership with Matthews' learned instruction, a wealth of photographs shows to perfection the beauty of protea flowers, from silken bracts to rarities sporting long spikes or tight cones. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"Brimming with beautiful full color photographs and practical tips....This book is a must have for any serious Protea enthusiast." -- Ben Gill, President, California Protea Management, July 2002

"Essential advice on cultivation, propagation, and garden uses help the reader in the pursuit of growing their own proteas." -- John Schmitz, Capital Press, August 16, 2002

"Growers of proteaaceae will benefit by his expertise and advice." -- Joanne S. Carpender, The National Gardener Magazine, September 2002

"Matthews has fulfilled a great need to identify these plants with beautiful photographs. The reader will be amazed at the number, beauty, size, and shape of these plants, and floral designers can find inspiration or grow a wider variety of them for distinguished and beautiful, long-lasting arrangements."
—Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, November 2002 (National Gardener )

"Matthews has fulfilled a great need."
—Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, March 2003 (National Gardener )

"Offers outstanding color-illustrated descriptions of more than 250 taxa or cultivars that are in cultivation."
—Choice, January 2003 (Choice )

Matthews has fulfilled a great need to identify these plants with beautiful photographs. The reader will be amazed at the number, beauty, size, and shape of these plants, and floral designers can find inspiration or grow a wider variety of them for distinguished and beautiful, long-lasting arrangements. Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, November 2002 (National Gardener )

Matthews has fulfilled a great need. Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, March 2003 (National Gardener )

Offers outstanding color-illustrated descriptions of more than 250 taxa or cultivars that are in cultivation. Choice, January 2003 (Choice )

About the Author
Lewis Matthews ran a well-known protea nursery and cut-flower business for 21 years, until he sold it to concentrate on writing. He is the author of five books, and his articles and photographs are often seen in the New Zealand Gardener. Matthews is also the expert advisor on proteaceous plants to the Plant Variety Rights Office of the New Zealand Ministery of Commerce. He lives in the historic seaside community of Akaroa in New Zealand’s South Island.

Customer Reviews

A book of beautiful flowers
This is the only readily available book on proteas, so my review is somewhat biased because of that. Proteas are a spectacular family of flowers that might be the next big thing in the cut flower industry, and when you see them for the first time, your jaw will drop. With its many colorful photos, this book shows the reader why these flowers deserve more attention. There is a wealth of pictures in "The Protea Book", and it deserves 4 stars just for that reason. Some of the photos are out of focus, but in general, they are of high quality. I wish that this book had offered more cultural guidelines and more details about the morphological structures of a protea flower. Also, some noteworthy species are only mentioned briefly or not covered at all. Instead, the author has chosen to focus on those species that show promise for commercial cultivation. Still, this is a very interesting book for horticultural enthusiasts. If you grow proteas or are looking for some amazing ideas for cut flowers, this is definitely a good book to buy.