From Book News, Inc.
A veteran dahlia grower, hybridizer, judge, and founder of the Montana Dahlia Society shares his enthusiasm and expertise on organically growing and exhibiting these diverse members of the composite family. From pompoms to dinnerplate-size cultivars, this definitive guide includes color photos and notes on the uses, classification, cultivation needs, propagation, and awards of some 700 varieties. His daughter contributed a chapter on history and species. McClaren includes an extensive resource list and glossary.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
Known for their bright colors and dramatic forms, dahlias are enjoying a surge of popularity in today's gardens. From "pompons" to "waterlilies" few flowers can boast such a variety of choices for every garden and gardener. In this delightful and profusely illustrated encyclopedia, noted hybridizer and nurseryman Bill McClaren provides an authoritative account of garden-worthy dahlias for every garden design. Nearly 700 selections are included, complete with notes on their history, awards, and cultural peculiarities. Additional chapters on dahlia care and propagation, dahlia species in nature, hybridizing, and showing dahlias add to this well-rounded overview. Thorough appendices with resources on dahlia societies, nurseries, and gardens complete the book. Gardeners at every level will appreciate the author's clear and useful explanation of the classification schemes for dahlias, which can often intimidate even determined enthusiasts. Every dahlia lover will gain years of reference and enjoyment from Bill McClaren's definitive encyclopedia.


From the Inside Flap
Known for their bright colors and dramatic forms, dahlias are enjoying a renaissance in today's gardens. From "pompons" to "waterlilies" few flowers can boast such a variety of choices for every garden and gardener. For every brash selection in shocking red or orange, there exists a delicate "orchid" or "peony" type with soft edging and soothing shades of cream and mauve. For every giant bloom weighing in at several pounds, there is a jewel-sized miniature dahlia perfect for a buttonhole. With hundreds of new selections introduced each year, learning to choose, cultivate, and show dahlias can prove challenging to beginner and expert alike.In this delightful and profusely illustrated encyclopedia, noted hybridizer and nurseryman Bill McClaren provides an authoritative account of garden-worthy dahlias for every garden design. Nearly 700 selections are included, complete with notes on their history, awards, and cultural peculiarities. Additional chapters on dahlia care and propagation, dahlia species in nature, hybridizing, and showing dahlias add to this well-rounded overview. Thorough appendices with resources on dahlia societies, nurseries, and gardens complete the book.Gardeners at every level will appreciate the author's clear and useful explanation of the classification schemes for dahlias, which can often intimidate even determined enthusiasts. Every dahlia lover will gain years of reference and enjoyment from Bill McClaren's definitive encyclopedia.


About the Author
Bill McClaren has been growing and showing dahlias for nearly 50 years. For the past 20 years, he has hybridized all forms of dahlias; over 100 of his varieties are listed in the American Dahlia Society's ADS Classification and Handbook of Dahlias. After retiring from a 30-year career as an educator, he owned and operated, together with his wife, Alpen Gardens, a commercial dahlia nursery, for 20 years. He is a member of the American Dahlia Society, serving 10 years as research chairman, and is the founder of the Montana Dahlia Society. He is a Senior Judge and instructs dahlia judging schools throughout the northwestern United States and Canada. His articles have been published in the Bulletin of the American Dahlia Society and Dahlias of Today.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"In this illustrated encyclopedia, noted hybridizer and nurseryman Bill McClaren provides an authoritative account of garden-worthy dahlias for every garden design. Nearly 700 selections are included, complete with notes on their history, awards, and cultural peculiarities. Additional chapters on dahlia care and propagation, dahlia species in nature, hybridizing, and showing dahlias add to this well-rounded overview. Thorough appendices with resources on dahlia societies, nurseries, and gardens complete the book." Gardeners at every level will appreciate the author's clear and useful explanation of the classification schemes for dahlias, which can often intimidate even determined enthusiasts.

SYNOPSIS