Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers: Perennials, Bulbs, Grasses, Ferns [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Christopher Lloyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2005

Christopher Lloyd knows perennials as well as anyone else alive. Now available in paperback, this book represents the fruit of Lloyd's lifetime study of perennials. Genus by genus, he sets down everything he has learned, thought, seen, tried, liked, or regretted about them, individually or in combination. He is formidably knowledgeable, iconoclastic, opinionated, and always entertaining. Here, meticulously recorded, are his expert opinions about numerous varieties of flowering garden plants, from Acanthus to Zigadenus, accompanied by spectacular photographs from Jonathan Buckley and others. Any gardener will find themselves opening this book time and again with pleasure and the frequent thought, "I MUST grow this one, too."

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Christopher Lloyd shares a lifetime of experience growing and studying perennials. In an A-Z encyclopedia of plants, we learn about flower and foliage, scent and color, size and shape, soil and cultivation; in effect, everything one needs to know to become an expert gardener.

From the Publisher

Christopher Lloyd shares a lifetime of experience growing and studying perennials. In an A-Z encyclopedia of plants, we learn about flower and foliage, scent and color, size and shape, soil and cultivation; in effect, everything one needs to know to become an expert gardener.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (August 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881927473
• ISBN-13: 978-0881927474
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,848,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christopher Lloyd -- organized, yet still colorful, April 11, 2001

By 

Michael A. Peeler (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers: Perennials, Bulbs, Grasses, Ferns (Hardcover)

Lloyd's normal rambling, storytelling style doesn't suffer at all from being organized into this alphabetical presentation of his favorite plants. In fact, I like him this way. Some plants get a quick brush off. Some get rich detail. Even the ones I'll never grow are fun and interesting to read about.

He includes names of favored varieties. Unlike with many "Euro-gardening" books, I have been pleased to find those varieties available by mail and even locally (from a good nursery specializing in perennials). There are exceptions. I liked the Dr. Seuss look of Helianthus Salicifolius in one of Lloyd's photos. Most sites I found by searching for it on web were in foreign languages. There's hope, however, as it's apparently known as "willow-leaved sunflower and rock sunflower" in Kansas. If it doesn't get to Ohio from Europe, maybe it will get here from Kansas.

I can't give five stars to a book that commits my pet peeve: photos, although lovely and colorful, are printed in sections. They are cleary labeled and referenced to the text and text descriptions have photo number references in the margin, where they are easy to find. It works, but I have four other books by Timberland Press, each intermixing great content with great photos. Go figure.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The gardening book we've always wanted, February 10, 2008

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers: Perennials, Bulbs, Grasses, Ferns (Paperback)

Following a short but informative introduction the main body of the book is arranged alphabetically by plant genus, wherein there is a general description followed by an assessment of each species or variety of that genus. The book concludes with a glossary and an index to plants and photographs. The book is beautifully illustrated with in excess of eighty full and half page colour photographs depicting plants singly and in stunning combination - but however fine the photographs are the stands on its writing.

Unlike any other gardening "encyclopaedia" Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers is a personal account. Yes it is full of information about the plants, size, colour and so forth, but it is honest and forthright in its descriptions. It is typical of his work; in discussing plants he takes no prisoners, and he is not afraid to express his opinions; one might not always agree with him, but such was the stature of the man that I am sure he would not expect one to.

This is a book full of delightful phrases and expressions, brimming with powerful observation and wit. Christopher Lloyd is always a delight to read such that I am sure even a non-gardener would fine his writings pleasurable. It is his combination of informed authority, open mindedness, fearlessness, adventurousness, his passion for plants and gardening and his wit which make his writings such a joy. Christopher Lloyd was one of our greatest plantsmen and garden writers, and this is perhaps the book we've always wanted from him, how fortunate we are now to be able to enjoy it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully opinionated, February 26, 2011

By 

Daria (Kentucky Bluegrass) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers: Perennials, Bulbs, Grasses, Ferns (Paperback)

You don't even have to be a gardener to enjoy this book; if you appreciate use of language, humor and good writing you will enjoy this book. Of course, if you are a gardener, it's a must.