The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Bulbs

Book excerpt: The new Kew guide to planting and cultivating bulbs features 12 easy and inspiring projects, detailed information on 66 of the most important species to grow, accompanied by Kew's beautiful botanical illustrations. With expert advice from Kew bulb expert Richard Wilford and the Kew Gardens team, this is the ultimate companion to growing and planting with bulbs. In this book Richard Wilford shows the key differences between bulbs, corms and tubers, he explains the importance of planting times and techniques, he explains simple methods for propagation, as well as planting instructions for growing in borders, within grassy areas or in containers. He identifies the most popular flowering times and provides bulbs of interest all year round. He presents all the important bulbs, from winter snowdrops, crocuses, cyclamen, hyacinths, irises; spring daffodils, tulips, snowflakes, lily-of-the-valley; summer alliums, lilies, agapanthus, foxtail lily; as well as autumn snowflakes, colchicum, cyclamen and amaryllis. The 12 special projects are broad and attractive. They comprise: how to grow and display ornamental onions; how to plant hippeastrums indoors on a windowsill; how to establish a carpet of anemones; how to layer bulbs in containers 'lasagne' style; how to plant a drift of snake's head fritillaries; how to establish bulbs in a shady border; how to design a spring bulb extravaganza; how to make a cutting patch for bulbs; how to grow tulips from seed; how to naturalise autumn-flowering bulbs; how to establish a winter bulb garden; and how to time a three-month display of tulips. Bulb problems and pests easily handled in the troubleshooting section, and a handy checklist of what to do when guides growers throughout the year. The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Bulbs is part of the Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing series and is accompanied by Growing Herbs, Growing House Plants, Growing Vegetables, Growing Orchids and Growing Fruit. The only book you'll need to grow more than 66 species, beautifully, practically, successfully.