Hostas [Paperback]

Rosemary Barrett (Author), Derek Hughes (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2010

Hostas is the definitive guide to the popular hardy perennial that gardeners have come to rely upon and enjoy. Favored for their beauty and longevity, these shade-loving, low-maintenance plants bear foliage in all manner of shape, size and texture and in colors ranging from steel blue, tonal greens and yellows to multi-colored. Their long-blooming, aromatic flowers come in variations of white, pale lavender and blue-purple.

The growing season for hostas stretches from early spring to late fall, and they flourish in Zone 3 -- most of the continental United States as well as populated areas of Canada and Alaska.

Rosemary Barrett provides expert advice on these outstanding plants. Following a brief section on the history of hostas, she covers the various cultivars in fine detail, with topics that include:

• Cultivation
• Enhancing a garden
• Propagation
• Container-growing
• Landscaping
• Plant and tree companions
• Borders and beds
• A catalog of hostas
• Garden settings.

Featuring lush color photographs throughout, Hostas is ideal for gardeners at all levels of expertise.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sharing her experiences based on years of gardening with hostas, Barrett, along with coauthor Hughes, guides readers through the limitless variety and versatility of each plant, highlighting more than one hundred species and varieties, and offering landscape ideas, companion plantings, and specific cultivar information for both. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The book provides pictures of many varieties, which shows both their color and their setting in the garden. (Linda Hutchinson Pasadena Star-News 20040814)

Clear and plentiful instructions about how to propagate and cultivate hostas and what other plants make good companions. (Science News 20040904)

Hundreds of vibrant photos... helpful information about propagation, color selections, container planting, and companion plants. (Landscape Architecture Magazine 200409)

Revel in the luscious images... We especially commend Hostas as an inspiring picture album showing the most appealing Hosta selections. (HortIdeas 200409)

Informal, almost chatty, tone... valuable resource for anyone like myself who has a large area of deep shade. (Karin J. Shank E-Streams 20040529)

Great landscaping ideas for many different types of gardens... will inspire gardeners everywhere. (Patty Jessome Edmonton Sun 20040620)

A loving look at a garden staple... endless ideas for that shady spot in your garden. (Halifax Chronicle Herald 20040315)

Guides readers through the limitless variety... excels with its clear concise format, detailed descriptions, and superlative color photography. (Carol Haggas Booklist / RBB 20040604)

Range of ideas and plans for different types of gardens, from large woodland expanses to small shade and container gardens. (Jane Gadd Globe and Mail )

A good guide to have on hand... larded with photos of a great number of varieties... mini-catalogue of hosta varieties. (Mary Anne Beaudette Kingston Whig-Standard )

The beauty and versatility of hostas comes through big time here... All in all, a useful, handsome book. (Kym Pokorny and Dianna K. Colvin Portland Oregonian )

Make it easy on yourself. Learn everything you need to know about choosing and growing hostas from Rosemary Barrett. (Connie Krochmal BellaOnline )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (November 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552978869
• ISBN-13: 978-1552978863
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,108,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasurable reading, July 23, 2005

By 

R. Beasley "In my opinion???" (Piedmont, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hostas (Paperback)

It was a pleasure to read this book and worthwhile. However I am a person looking for more of a book that doesn't put it all on the line. She states in the book on pg. 27 that she does not like to write about pest and diseases however she does imparts some useful information for the novice hosta grower, but not nearly enough for an enthusiast. This is a good little book for the half hearted gardener. This is certainly not a book to hold as any type of real reference material.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hostas inspires, September 16, 2004

By 

Christopher Sanderson (Port Hope, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hostas (Paperback)

'Hostas' by Rosemary Barrett is well written, thoroughly researched and a pleasure to read. The photographs are first-rate and will inspire anyone who is landscaping in the shade. The reference sections of the book seems very thorough - although I am no expert! This is a book that can truly be judged by its cover: well designed, well-produced and beautifully presented.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hosta's in your garden, July 10, 2006

By 

Brenda Chauvin "Master Gardener" (Maine, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hostas (Paperback)

Excelent book for the average gardener. This book concentrates on using Hosta's in the garden with other plants. Gives lots of suggestions in choosing color and texture to add interest and accent other plants as well as showing hosta's to their fullest potential. Also covers how hosta's grow, dividing, planting and hosta care disease and prevention. Wonderful color photo's.