Hibiscus

Description

Hibiscuses have entered an era of increasing popularity as garden designers and home gardeners rediscover the fine attributes of these wonderful plants. Here is the only book that covers the species and cultivars of the genus Hibiscus completely and in detail. Barbara Perry Lawton surveys both kinds of hibiscus: the tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate plants whose pure, clean colors are such grand assets to modern gardens and homes, as well as the hardy perennials and shrubs that thrive in spite of snow, ice, drought, flood, or poor soil, bearing bright flowers year after year. These classic flowers have a long and fascinating history. The book chronicles the history and traditions of their use in addition to those of Hibiscus relatives such as hollyhocks, okra, and cotton. With more than 200 species, there is great diversity in the genus Hibiscus. Barbara Perry Lawton introduces all gardeners, expert and novice alike, to the possibilities offered by these plants. A photographic gallery of hibiscuses illustrates the richness of the many species and cultivars from which the gardener may choose.

Barbara Perry Lawton, an award-winning writer, author, speaker, and photographer, has over 1,500 published articles to her credit. She currently writes for Gateway Gardener and Outdoor Guide and for nearly 20 years contributed a weekly column to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She has written several gardening books, including Magic of Irises. She has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography, and has served as president of the Garden Writers Association. In 2004 she was named a "Woman of Worth" by the Older Women's League, and in 2006, she was named one of "24 Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans" by St. Andrews Resources for Seniors. Just recently, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Missouri Affiliate of National Federated Press Women. Barbara currently volunteers as a Master Gardener at the Plant Doctor Desk and Horticultural Answer Service at Missouri Botanical Garden, is a member of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Stream Team, and is an editor of Cape Albeon's Cottage Review.

For anyone, who is interested in learning about and growing Hibiscus in the home garden, this book is a must have. -- Betty Walters Petal Pusher 20041110 You don't need to be a hibiscus specialist to enjoy this book, but you'll find yourself wishing you were. -- Carolyn Ulrich Chicagoland Gardening 20041116 Her book from Timber Press is a valuable reference of fact and folklore on Hibiscus, both the tropical and hardy varieties. -- Lynette Walther Camden Herald 20050113 Covering both tropical and hardy varieties, the book is an entertaining mix of straightforward horticultural science. Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin 20050711 An excellent resource on the genus. It is a recommended addition to all libraries that have collections in horticulture. -- Kathy Fescemyer E-Streams 20050812 A very well written book that was both enjoyable and enlightening to read. I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in gardening with hibiscus as an entry into the sometimes bewildering world of cultivated hibiscus. -- Randall Small Plant Science Bulletin 20051001