Captures the appeal of the tulip for both the enthusiast and the amateur gardener: illustrated with over 80 examples from a unique never-seen-before private collection. Following on from daffodils and crocus, tulips announce the onset of spring. In all their vibrant colours they seem to shout out their lust for life after the long dark days of winter. Whether grown as spring bedding, as container plants or as part of a well established border, their variety of colour and form offers a wide scope of choice to complement existing schemes. From their earliest history in Central Asia and Turkey, through the insane "tulipomania" of the 1600s in Europe, they have maintained their popularity and are one of the top selling bulbs in the UK. The Dutch never lost interest in them and currently produce more than 3 billion bulbs a year, two thirds for export. Indeed it is from the Dutch Cees Breed collection that the tulips in this book have been chosen. Beautifully photographed by acclaimed photographer Clay Perry, Liz Dobb's book offers a sumptuous feast of this multi-varied genus. From the diminutive species to the blowsy hybrids produced after centuries of breeding, they are all attractively presented to whet the appetite. Stately lily-flowered tulips such as "Maytime", intense "Halcro", tiny "Lilac Wonder". The quirky parrot-flowered tulips and viridifloras suitable for the most contemporary of gardens or for those who like their originality. From the earliest "Brilliant Star" (the Christmas Tulip) to the late-flowering "Mount Tacoma", there is an abundance of choice for whichever spring month their vivid hues are required. The book ends on the practicalities of selecting, planting, uses and general cultivation be it for a permanent planting or as temporary bedding. This is an invaluable reference guide for both the novice and professional offering a huge range of both species and cultivars to spice up next Autumn's planting.
