Bulbs for Warm Climates [Hardcover]

Thad M. Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

Bulb gardening in warmer climates presents challenges unknown in cooler climates. Bulbs that turn Holland into a kaleidoscope of colour droop and fade in mild winters, hot summers, and uncertain rainfall. Yet hundreds of native and naturalised species of bulbs thrive in these same conditions and offer as many colours, shapes, and fragrances as even the most demanding gardener desires. These are the bulbs that Thad Howard describes in this comprehensive guide to bulbs that will grow warmer climates. Writing from more than forty-five years' experience in collecting and cultivating bulbs, Howard offers expert advice about hundreds of little-known, hybrid, and common species and varieties that grow well in warm climates. His species accounts, which are grouped by family, describe each plant and its growing requirements and often include interesting stories from his collecting expeditions. Lovely colour photos illustrate many of the species. Howard also gives reliable information about refrigerating bulbs, using them in the landscape and in containers, choosing scented ones, making potpourri, buying, collecting, cultivating, and hybridising bulbs, and dealing with pests and diseases. He concludes with lists of plant societies and suppliers and a helpful glossary and bibliography. Winner of the International Bulb Society's Herbert Medal, Thad M. Howard, who lives near San Antonio, has discovered more than thirty-five new species of bulbs in Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, and Argentina. He is also the author of many professional papers on bulbs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Winner of the International Bulb Society's Herbert Medal, Thad M. Howard, who lives near San Antonio, has discovered more than thirty-five new species of bulbs in Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, and Argentina. He is also the author of many professional papers on bulbs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; 1 edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292731256
• ISBN-13: 978-0292731257
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,397,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Textbook not a gardening book, June 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bulbs for Warm Climates (Paperback)

There is a shortage of books on bulb gardening for Southern gardeners, however this book does little to remedy that shortage. Thad Howard's book reads like a textbook and is not user friendly for the recreational gardener. Basic information such as planting time and depth, soil preference, bloom time, and light needs is missing or scattered in the text. Howard focuses too much on bulb classifications and history and not enough on giving readers advice on how to pick bulbs that will be successful in their garden. Academics and those in the bulb business may enjoy this book, the average gardener will be disatisfied. If Howard wishes to sell more books he should at the least add a legend for each major bulb with basic information the gardener needs.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bulb plants, November 4, 2011

By 

David Litsinger (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bulbs for Warm Climates (Hardcover)

Knew Dr. Howard many years ago, became quite an expert on bulbs he had collected from central texas, south and west texas, and many locatons in mexico.