Product Description

Where most bulbs books repeat the seasonal approach to bulb gardening by bloom time, assuming the usual fall ritual of mass planting bulbs by the bushel, this book advocates more careful study of natural habitats and cultural needs before planting. All gardeners have experienced the frustration of having a bulb flower in the first year after planting, but poorly or never again thereafter. Judy Glattstein shows how a more naturalistic style of planting can pay greater dividends over time from healthy and thriving populations of bulbs. She uses a broad definition of bulbs, including a wide diversity of bulbs, corms, and tubers. By grouping them together with other plants that excel in similar conditions, she shows how all styles of gardens can prove more durable and require less maintenance in the long term. Perhaps most importantly, she emphasizes that choices based on climate and local ecology will yield a garden that truly "belongs" where it has been sited. Following her extensive research and travel throughout North America to visit hundreds of gardens, Glattstein offers detailed, regionally appropriate suggestions for gardeners everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1175073 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 296 pages

From Booklist
To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, a bulb is a bulb is a bulb, right? Wrong, according to Glattstein, and after planting and cultivating tens of thousands of bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes (collectively termed geophytes), she should know. Whereas bulb gardening is often thought to be simple, Glattstein cautions that a more careful study of the natural habitats of bulbs is necessary. Not all geophytes are suitable for all climates: the narcissus native to the Mediterranean might thrive in California, for instance, but fail miserably in Minnesota. Following an overview of basic cultural considerations, Glattstein supplies specific recommendations for diverse gardening conditions, from alpine to subtropical, rock gardens to woodlands. Drawing not only on her extensive personal experience, Glattstein also enthusiastically relates those of accomplished amateur as well as professional geophyte horticulturists, thus enriching her comprehensive guide with both a conversational and authoritative tone that balances its user-friendly approach with practical expertise. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"Bulbs for Garden Habitats will inspire anyone who has an appreciation for beauty and a mind for ecology."—C. Colston Burrell, American Gardener, September/October 2005 (C. Colston Burrell American Gardener )

"Drawing not only on her extensive personal experience, Glattstein also enthusiastically relates those of accomplished amateur as well as professional geophyte horticulturists, thus enriching her comprehensive guide with both a conversational and authoritative tone that balances its user-friendly approach with practical expertise."—Carol Haggas, Booklist, May 17, 2005 (Carol Haggas Booklist )

"From outsmarting deer to planting in naturalistic patterns, the topics in this book aim for year-round bulb displays that will truly be perennial."— Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, September 16, 2005 (Valerie Easton Seattle Times )

Bulbs for Garden Habitats will inspire anyone who has an appreciation for beauty and a mind for ecology.C. Colston Burrell, American Gardener, September/October 2005 (American Gardener )

Drawing not only on her extensive personal experience, Glattstein also enthusiastically relates those of accomplished amateur as well as professional geophyte horticulturists, thus enriching her comprehensive guide with both a conversational and authoritative tone that balances its user-friendly approach with practical expertise.Carol Haggas, Booklist, May 17, 2005 (Booklist )

From outsmarting deer to planting in naturalistic patterns, the topics in this book aim for year-round bulb displays that will truly be perennial. Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, September 16, 2005 (Seattle Times )

From the Author
Judy Glattstein is an instructor at the New York Botanical Garden and the Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education at Rutgers University.

Customer Reviews

a garden book doesn't live on text alone ...
I've just received my copy of this book. I find the approach chosen by Judy Glattstein innovative and fascinating, the text competent and entertaining. I was, however, terribly dissappointed about the quality of the photos. The worst are those taken by the author - they are mostly unsharp -, but most of the other pictures are no better. It's a shame quality control has not worked any better at Timber Press. If you want to know what good garden photography is, turn to Ian Adams' The Art of Garden Photography, just published by - Timber Press!
Herbert Frei, Zurich, Switzerland

Interesting book on bulbs in garden habitats
A very well-researched and interesting book. Not for the beginner. A book for advanced knowledge of bulbs in garden habitats.