Hostas (The New Plant Library) [Hardcover]

Andrew Mikolajski (Author)

Book Description

Series: The New Plant Library | Publication Date: March 1, 1998

The versatility and beauty of hostas makes them one of the most popular and rewarding foliage plants. Whether you use larger hostas to create a stately summer border or dwarf varieties to enliven a rocky or aquatic environment, they are reliable, attractive and relatively low-maintenance. Flourishing even in containers, hostas are truly plants for every situation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hailing from the Far East, hostas have become almost a cult plant here in the UK and in the USA with breeders striving to create new varieties every year. Originally classified as members of the Liliaceae family, they now have their own family - Hostaceae - although this can cause a few heated discussions! Lush foliage combined with dainty, often scented, flowers in shades of white through mauve, they give an almost tropical feel to a garden. Gently unfurling their luxuriant growth in Spring they soon fill their allotted space with a neat mound of leaves. Plain leaved or variegated, bowl-shaped, lance-shaped, glaucous, golden and blue, their diversity provides an endless source of fascination for the collector. Relatively free from disease they are infamous for their appeal to molluscs. Many a gardener has despaired at this attractiveness to slugs and snails and given up their cultivation. But some well-timed treatment at the start of the season should ensure a healthy plant whilst good garden practice will ensure such pests are kept in abeyance through the rest of the growing season. In borders or containers, in sun or shade, hostas are a valuable addition to the garden, filling out space under shrubs and trees without complaint. Diana Grenfell, President and co-founder of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society, brings her unrivalled knowledge to this study, sharing her in-depth, expertise with these fascinating plants and giving detailed botanical facts, cultivation details, propagation, pest and disease advice and ideas on their uses in the garden. Part of the RHS Wisley handbook series, this is a comprehensive and concise look at the genus Hostaceae, fully illustrated and clearly written. Aimed at both the amateur and professional grower, this is an invaluable addition to any serious horticulturalists bookshelf. - Lucy Watson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Andrew Mijolajski is a highly respected gardening writer who has edited a number of publications, including the Royal Horticultural Society of Gardeners' Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers and the Encyclopedia of Gardening. He works as a freelance writer and gardens in Northamptonshire, England. The consultant, Diana Grenfell is a respected author and international lecturer. She has contributed to many journals and is co-author of Hosta: The Flowering Foliage Plant. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Anness (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859673880
• ISBN-13: 978-1859673881
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,868,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Hosta reference guide, July 11, 2000

By 

Pamela Rieck - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hostas (The New Plant Library) (Hardcover)

I found this book to be very helpful and informational. As a new Hosta gardener, I highly recommend this book. This is a great book to start with, providing you with A-Z Hosta listings and colorful pictures.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loads of useful information for a tiny price!, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hostas (The New Plant Library) (Hardcover)

A real bargain for the price. This book was wonderfully layed out with gorgeous colored photographs throughout. The information given within was quite easy to follow. A great reference book for the hosta gardener.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Fair Hosta Book, July 24, 2003

By 

Terry C. Conner "The Write Gardener" (Mercer, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hostas (Little Plant Library) (Hardcover)

Mikolajski doesn't include a lot of info on hostas here, but what he does write is useful info for the average hosta grower.