Book Description
Famed for their durability, beauty, and diversity, hydrangeas are enjoying a renaissance in today's gardens. These classic garden shrubs provide bold color --- from pink to purple, blue to white --- in midsummer to midautumn, when few other plants are in bloom. Many hundreds of dramatic species, hybrids, and horticultural selections are available to the enthusiast to fill every possible niche in the garden. For the first time, a thorough encyclopedia shows in full color the range of flowering treasures available. With complete information on cultivation, propagation, and pests and diseases, The Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas promises to help every discerning gardener ensure planting success. Lavishly illustrated with approximately 800 photographs, the concise descriptions present more than 1000 hydrangea species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars. All types of hydrangeas are included, from blousy mopheads to delicate lacecaps, from oakleafs to climbers. This incredible resource provides gardeners with the tools needed to discover the many true gems in this lovely group of plants.


From the Inside Flap
Famed for their durability, beauty, and diversity, hydrangeas are enjoying a renaissance in today's gardens. These classic garden shrubs provide bold color --- from pink to purple, blue to white --- in midsummer to midautumn, when few other plants are in bloom. Many hundreds of dramatic species, hybrids, and horticultural selections are available to the enthusiast to fill every possible niche in the garden. For the first time, a thorough encyclopedia shows in full color the range of flowering treasures available. With complete information on cultivation, propagation, and pests and diseases, The Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas promises to help every discerning gardener ensure planting success.Lavishly illustrated with approximately 800 photographs, the concise descriptions present more than 1000 hydrangea species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars. All types of hydrangeas are included, from blousy mopheads to delicate lacecaps, from oakleafs to climbers. The very latest horticultural and botanical introductions are included as well. Combined with recommendations based on the authors' experience in their family-run nursery, this incredible resource provides gardeners with the tools needed to discover the many true gems in this lovely group of plants.A curious quality of hydrangea flowers is their ability to change color with soil conditions --- this phenomenon is explained in detail so that the garderner can turn it to his or her advantage. Nonetheless, each photograph was carefully taken in a garden with neutral soil, to give readers an honest picture of the flower color most likely to occur in a particular plant. With additional information on taxonomy, genetics, and horticultural history, The Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas is an indispensable refererence for connoisseurs and beginning gardeners alike.


About the Author
Cor and his father, Dick, along with other family members, are the owner-operators of a 140-year-old nursery specializing in woody plants. Located in Boskoop, Netherlands, Firma C. Esveld is known worldwide for its maple collection as well as its extensive collections of conifers and rhododendrons. This father and son team previously co-authored Maples for Gardens: A Color Encyclopedia. In addition, D. M. is co-author of Maples of the World; Conifers, The Illustrated Encyclopedia; and Rhododendron Portraits. Among the awards he has received are the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society and the Dutch Dendrological Society’s Silver Doorenbos Medal. In 2000 he was named Officer in the Order of Oranje Nassau by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, in recognition of his work for the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society and his contribution to horticultural literature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"With complete information on cultivation, propagation, and pests and diseases, Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas promises to help every discerning gardener ensure planting success." "Lavishly illustrated with nearly 800 photographs, the concise descriptions present more than 1000 hydrangea species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars. All types of hydrangeas are included, from blousy mopheads to delicate lacecaps, from oakleafs to climbers. The very latest horticultural and botanical introductions are included as well. Combined with recommendations based on the authors' experience in their family-run nursery, this incredible resource provides gardeners with the tools needed to discover the many true gems in this lovely group of plants." With additional information on taxonomy, genetics, and horticultural history, Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas is an indispensable reference for connoisseurs and beginning gardeners alike.

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