Begonias

Description

Begonias have enormous horticultural appeal, are widely cultivated in the home, and increasing in variety, including hardy species for the garden and semi-hardy species for containers. It is no wonder these intriguing plants have gained such a following. Concise descriptions, keys, and elegant illustrations of more than 300 commonly grown species and their most popular cultivars, are included. Additional chapters cover their cultural history, cultivation, natural history, and distribution.

Mark C. Tebbitt teaches botany at the California University in California, Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the taxonomy of Begonia, as well as alpine and woodland plants. He holds a PhD in plant taxonomy from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. At home he grows a large collection of Begonia species in terraria, and is developing a new woodland and stream garden, which currently houses a number of Corydalis and Dicentra species, amongst a variety of other plants.

This book is important, as it has concise descriptions, illustrations, and cultural history. -- Linda Cobb Spartanburg Herald-Journal 20050927 Begonias is a book written by a sincere and knowledgeable lover of this diverse genus of perennial with their fabulous blooms - it will be a long-lasting addition to any gardener's library. -- Christine Anne Sharkey Biology Digest 20060201 In an age when gardening books brim with ankle-deep information, Begonias is a whole-body experience. If you like begonias, this book has the power to make you fall in love with them. -- Elvin McDonald American Gardener 20060301 Tebbitt ... makes a welcome addition to the horticultural literature with this work, particularly because it concentrates on species rather than hybrids, and description rather than cultivation. ... Over 200 color photos and numerous high-quality line drawings add to the appeal and utility of this work. -- G. D. Dreyer Choice 20060201 This will be a useful book to Begonia gardeners and botanists alike. Sida, Contributions to Botany 20050101 I cannot omit a mention of twenty-seven pages of glorious color photos, as well as the many informative and delightful sketches scattered throughout the pages. The 'begoniac' should add this fine work to his/her library. -- Phyllis Podren Hobby Greenhouse 20060619