The Complete Guide to Conservatory Plants [Hardcover]

Ann Bonar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Offering information and advice on plant choice and cultivation, this is a guide for people who own, or plan to own, a conservatory. Topics on conservatory management and plantcare are accompanied by suggestions on planning and arranging, and on methods of displaying the plants. An illustrated directory of more than 700 plants is included, with details of their origins, natural history, specific needs and characteristics. The author's other books include "St Michael Guide to Houseplants", "Conservatory Handbook" and "Greenhouse Gardening".

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What spring is to your garden, autumn is to your conservatory: it's time to plan and plant, tidy and till, and bring your green thumb indoors. Ann Bonar's guide includes an A to Z listing of more than 700 conservatory plants, with more than 130 color illustrations. From Abutilon to Zantedeschia, Bonar describes the particulars of flower and fragrance, climbing tendencies and hardiness, and requirements for light, temperature, moisture, and feeding. For the winter gardener, the plant directory is reason enough to add it to your garden shelf, but the other features (how to display the plants, advice on managing the environment and maintaining healthy plants, and an appendix of plant and equipment suppliers) will be greatly appreciated as well.

From Booklist

This profusely illustrated book is a guide to growing 142 species of plants (and about 700 hybrids and cultivars), giving information on light, temperature, moisture, feeding, propagation, specific problems, and special needs. Each listing includes a color photograph of the plant. These are plants that can be grown in conservatories and garden rooms year-round. Bonar explains light and space needs in general and discusses the types of plants most suited for growing indoors. She offers tips on color considerations and plant accessories, such as hanging containers, pots, troughs, and tubs. Under the broad heading of conservatory management, Bonar explains how to deal with temperature, light, and humidity throughout the seasons; discusses watering, feeding, planting, and pruning in detail; analyzes the common ailments affecting conservatory plants; and tells how to propagate plants from cuttings and seeds. This is an invaluable guide, to be sure, but many gardeners would have neither the room nor the money to construct some of the large conservatories shown here. The book includes 191 full-color illustrations. George Cohen

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516100
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516109
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,437,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough, March 28, 2000

By 

Weimarner (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Conservatory Plants (Hardcover)

This book is very good. It is a great reference book for indoor gardening. The details of planting, organizing, and choosing the plants were very helpful.