Product Description

Many gardeners know of Impatiens walleriana, the species that lies behind the myriad colorful garden varieties that brighten up containers, window boxes, and shady spots throughout the world. The genus Impatiens is enormous, comprising over a thousand species—many of which, although highly desirable, remain lilttle known to Western gardeners.

Raymond Morgan first examines Impatiens through a botanical lens, describing their physiology, morphology, and seed dispersal mechanisms. He then recounts Victorian-era plant-hunting forays into the Himalayas and notes how modern-day expeditions, with due concern to conservation, continue to bring back species that will eventually find their way into nursery catalogs and gardens.

Perhaps most excitingly, the author describes over 200 species ranging from Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayas to New Guinea. Along the way the reader is acquainted with remarkable species, including the giant African Impatiens tinctoria, which grows to 6 feet tall, and Tibet's ultramarine I. nanchabarwensis, which grows in the deepest canyon on earth.

The genus Impatiens contains a wealth of untapped treasures for gardeners. With wonderful photographs complementing the detailed plant descriptions, this book is essential reading for curious-minded gardeners keen to unearth this fascinating and largely unexplored genus.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #988266 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 228 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780881928525
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review

"The essential guide to this flower."

Martha Stewart Living

"Morgan goes far beyond giving readers a pretty picture book; he provides extensive information on morphology, taxonomy, breeding programs, pest, and practical gardening tips."

CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries (CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries )

“[Morgan]. . . also provides solid advice on propagating, growing, treating the few diseases or pests they might fall prey to, and landscaping with these versatile plants.” (Jill Vig Pacific Horticulture )

From the Inside Flap
Many gardeners are well-acquainted with Impatiens walleriana, the species that lies behind the colorful garden varieties that brighten up containers, window boxes and shady spots throughout the world. Admirers of this wonderful plant will be surprised to learn that they have barely scratched the surface: the genus Impatiens is enormous, comprising over a thousand species—many of which, although highly desirable, remain little known to gardeners.

Ray Morgan unveils this wealth of untapped treasures: a kaleidoscope of rich colors, a broad range of shade tolerance, and an array of unique features. He begins by examining Impatiens through a botanical lens, describing their physiology, morphology, and intriguing seed dispersal mechanism. Then, he places Impatiens in historical context, recounting Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker's Victorian-era plant-hunting forays into the Himalayas, and noting how modern-day expeditions, with due concern for conservation, continue to bring back species that will find their way into nurseries and gardens.

Perhaps most exciting of all are the descriptions of more than 200 impatiens from around the world that offer immense garden value. Madagascar native Impatiens bicaudata makes a showy display with its bright red flowers with yellow centers and purple pollen, and is also drought-tolerant, Impatiens namchabarwensis, discovered in the world's deepest canyon in Tibet, carries dozens of striking, ultramarine blue flowers with upturned spurs; and Impatiens balsamina, whose camellia-shaped flowers were once popular in cottage gardens, is ripe for rediscovery.

With over 160 color photos complementing the detailed plant descriptions, this book is essential reading for curious-minded gardeners keen to unearth a fascinating and largely unexplored genus.

About the Author
Raymond J. Morgan is a retired nurseryman with a longstanding interest in Impatiens. In Britain he holds the National Plant Collection of the genus, and he has travelled in southern India extensively researching and photographing them. He has written articles for such magazines as The Garden, The Plantsman, and Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Ray lives with his wife in South Wales.

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Customer Reviews

"Impatiens" a curious mix
"Impatiens" is a good first try at a book on this popular group of plants. However, it's almost like two books. The first half of the book provides good information on culture and updates on breeding programs (though USA readers should note that the culture information is Brit-slanted). The second half divides the many Impatiens species discussed into geographic groups, and the introductions to each of these sections discuss species in the groups that are, or might be, of horticultural interest. However, the species descriptions that follow are in deadening botanese, and appear to have been derived from formal material published in the professional literature. It would have been better for this reviewer to have had garden-oriented descriptions. And why include such material on species that, as yet, do not have names? How is one to locate plants or seeds of these species even after they have been named? The color pictures are generally of high quality, and create a wish on the part of the reader to obtains some of these plants. Alas, the list of sources is very short and includes no specialist growers (perhaps they do not exist as yet). However, I would recommend the book to those building their garden libraries and who have an interest in going beyond the supermarket trays of walleri and New Guinea Impatiens.

These aren't your grandma's Impatiens!
Probably the first of its kind available to the average reader (and not published in botanical journals), this fine work is a true treasure. While cultural comments are somewhat lacking (some of the Impatiens species seem to grow in cool mountain areas), the main portion of the book is a listing by geographical area of some of the more beautiful (and odd) species. A good addition to your horticultural library.