Lois Hole's Favorite Bulbs: Better Choices, Better Gardens [Paperback]

Lois Hole (Author), Jim Hole (Editor), Valerie Hole (Editor)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Hole's; Reprint edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894728009
• ISBN-13: 978-1894728003
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,001,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars What a joy!, May 30, 2010

By 

Susan L. Vermilya (Ashland OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lois Hole's Favorite Bulbs: Better Choices, Better Gardens (Paperback)

I love this book! It is a joy to look at the beautiful color photos and read the details. It is jam-packed with information. Although I have read and utilized information from other well-done bulb books, this is the one I bought--the one I had to have at my fingertips to look at (and read) again and again. There is so much information included: a brief history, a discussion of types of bulbs, the growth cycle of bulbs, articles explaining the "science behind it," focusing on a number of aspects of bulb life (i.e., reproduction of bulbs, amending soil, how light affects growth, how gravity affects root growth, etc.). There are lots of tips and "try these" recommendations. There are division sketches for dahlias and tulips, which I have referred to often. Having moved into my current home three years ago, I have wanted to identify which tulips were planted in my landscaping; and decide which new ones I might want to plant.

There are chapters on: shopping for bulbs; basic design principles, including planting patterns; creating with cutflowers and tips for enduring arrangements; the twenty best bulbs--how to plant, unique characteristics and needs, specific problems and solutions. For the adventurous gardener, there is a chapter including those bulbs that require a bit more care. The appendix includes "How to force garden bulbs" and "How to naturalize," which are important topics for those who want to do either or both.

A glossary, bibliographic references and index are included. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about bulbs, and enjoys viewing close-up photos of individual flowers.