Heuchera, Tiarella and Heucherella: A Gardener's Guide [Hardcover]

Charles Oliver (Author), Martha Oliver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2006

Native to the United States, Heuchera are also known as 'coral bells'. They thrive from north to south, east to west and produce stunning foliage plants with tall, airy flowers in pink, coral, red or white. The foliage may be so colourful and ornately shaped that you will be more than happy if they never bloomed. Added to that, they grow very well in shade. It is an outstanding plant that only now is becoming fully appreciated especially with the arrival of new cultivars and hybrids, such as 'Amber Waves' and 'Purple Palace'. Fully illustrated with colour photography, this first book on the subject covers: Introduction: Heucheras and related genera (including Tiarella, x Heucherella and Mitella); Overview of range of forms; Geography and ecology; Suitability as garden plants; Outstanding qualities Use in garden by type: Outstanding cultivars of different types and appropriate companions; Alpines; Border forms; Woodland garden; Landscape; Cut flowers Cultivation: Requirements for growth; Propagation; Soil and sun exposure; Feeding; Growing from seed, cuttings, division and tissue culture Horticultural history: Breeders and their plants; Origins of present-day forms Genetics and morphology: Traits and morphology in relation to garden-worthiness Breeding: Trends; Expression and combination of traits; What makes a good garden plant (trial criteria) Annotated list of garden-worthy wild species and selected cultivars

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martha and Charles Oliver live in western Pennsylvania and run The Primrose Path nursery. Charles has been greatly involved in the Heuchera hybridization work, combining garden forms with wild species to create such bronze-leaved forms as 'Palace Purple' and 'Montrose Ruby'. For the introduction of over 60 new plants to the trade, he was given the Marcel LePiniec Award in 1998 by the North American Rock Garden Society. Martha teaches at the Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Studies at Chatham College. She has written on horticulture for The New York Times, Fine Gardening and Organic Gardening Magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: B.T. Batsford (May 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713490098
• ISBN-13: 978-0713490091
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure to own and a great gardening gift, August 4, 2006

By 

Merrilee H. Salmon (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Heuchera, Tiarella and Heucherella: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

Coral bells (Heucheras) aren't just for Grandma's garden anymore. Dazzling new varieties are widely available, some even in garden departments of the big box stores. These plants tempt gardeners with their outstanding green or purple foliage, silver-laced and ruffled, and their delicate but durable flowers. This elegant book, with nearly 100 color photographs, would grace any coffee table, but it also contains all the information a gardener needs to incorporate heucheras and their relatives into rock gardens, natural settings and sunny or shady borders. Clearly written chapters tell how to to grow them well, and to propagate them successfully. The authors cover the history of the garden hybrids. They reveal fascinating details of propagation by tissue culture and offer a glimpe into the competitive world of breeding and marketing new cultivars. The book also lists public gardens and natural places where heuchera plantings can be seen.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The superior book of the two on heucheras, October 16, 2008

By 

Conservative Gardener (FAYETTEVILLE, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heuchera, Tiarella and Heucherella: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

In the last 12 years I have been collecting different varieties of heuchera, but have been looking for a helpful book on the subject. I have both books, and the authors have created the better of the two books on the subject. There is ample color photography, even one that will allow you to make your own decision about 'year around color.' The Olivers have traveled across the U.S. and included their own photos. The text also has anatomical exhibits, planting suggestions, and great writing and superior organization. It is a book with just enough of a scholarly approach to be credible, but sufficiently promotes heucheras for the home gardener. The work required to complete this book would be four times the amount of work required to complete the other heuchera book, and is selling for the same price. Therefore, if you can only afford one book, buy this book (and visit the Terra Nova webpage).

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book for all gardeners!, August 5, 2006

By 

R. Beasley "In my opinion???" (Piedmont, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Heuchera, Tiarella and Heucherella: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

If you are a real gardener, this is a must have book.
This is an excellent book about Heuchera, Heucherella, and Tiarellas. He pulls no punches and tell it like it is. He explains in great detail which cultivars do best in varying climates and growing conditions. There is far more information in this book then I expected, it is truly a five star book. However, I erred when I originally wrote my review of this book, how could I have only given it three stars is beyond me. My heuchera, heucherallas, and tiarellas, look much better after putting into practices some of the things that I learned form this book. [...]