Poppies: A Guide to the Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Christopher Grey-Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2001

Poppies, first published in 1993, was the first book devoted exclusively to these popular plants. Not only are the true poppies, genus Papaver, covered, but all the other members of the poppy family as well, including Glaucium, Dendromecon, Eschscholzia, Arctomecon, Argemone, Canbya, the plumed poppies Macleaya, Meconopsis, Roemeria, and many more. Grey-Wilson concentrates primarily on species and forms in cultivation, together with those species of striking or particular interest that are not present in cultivation but fully deserve to be introduced. For this new edition, the author included much new information about recent discoveries in the wild, as well as new cultivars introduced since Poppies was first published. There are general chapters on the family, cultivation, and classification, and a key to the genera. The individual genera, grouped into their respective subfamilies, are dealt with in detail, as are their more specialized cultivation requirements. Important synonyms have been included to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Botanical authorities are given for all recognized species and synonyms. This work will be very welcome to committed gardeners and horticulturists as a much-needed-and profusely illustrated-source of practical and botanical information.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A field of common red poppies growing wild by the roadside can transform an ordinary landscape into a place of mystery--their fervent, insistent color seems designed to take the breath away. For readers who've fallen under the poppy's spell, Christopher Grey-Wilson's Poppies: A Guide to the Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation is an exhaustive work of research and classification of this remarkable and mysterious flower.

The book starts out with a brief, no-nonsense introduction that serves as a road map to the reams of information contained in the subsequent pages. Grey-Wilson, botanist and editor of Alpine Garden Society, has organized the poppy family into four main subfamilies: the Chelidonioideae, Eschscholzioideae, Papveroideae, and Plastytemonoideae. Within these subfamilies a series of varieties are delineated. In entries of varying length, Grey-Wilson provides information about zoning, propagation, advice on garden placement, and various other remarkable and somewhat unpredictable details. While some poppies described here can be found at any local garden store, others are not in cultivation and were last sighted in Turkey or Iran. Containing 182 color photographs, Poppies will satisfy readers who want more than just the basics, who want the whole scientific story, and then some. --Emily White

Review

Information on recent discoveries in the wild, as well as new cultivars. -- ASHS Newsletter, February 2001

New edition offers added insights into poppy cultivation and varieties for the avid poppy gardener. -- Reviewer's Bookwatch , June 2001

Recommended reading. -- Joanne S. Carpender, Waconiah, June 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 308 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated; 2 edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881925039
• ISBN-13: 978-0881925036
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poppies A guide to poppies in the wild and in cultivation, March 18, 2001

By 

Warren Magliacano (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poppies: The Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation (Hardcover)

Poppies is a well written and well organized book covering the main subfamilies and genera of the poppy species. Illustrations are included to clarify the in depth descriptions. This book is best suited for someone with a biology/botony background. I would not recomend this book to the casual gardener, as it is more of a college level text, complete with scientific names. The color plate in the middle of the book was a nice addition.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent book, but I was expecting more., March 26, 2008

By 

PDJ "A Person" (Charlottesville, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poppies: A Guide to the Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation (Hardcover)

This is definitely a good book for a general overview on poppies. It has info on tons of different strains and species of the plant, but that's exactly where I think this book has it's weakness.

This book is very much quantity over quality. The author covers many different types of poppies but doesn't give too much information on them other than a basic overview. I was hoping the book would focus on the few popular species of poppy (rhoeas, orental, somniferum, Eschscholzia, etc.) giving thorough information then dividing the various species into less detailed strain descriptions.

The pictures are nice, but I wish they were with the various sections and not only in the middle pages.

Overall I say this book isn't that great. I don't know of one, but there must be a better book on poppies out there.

2.0 out of 5 stars nice book from a botanical point of view !!!, February 19, 2011

By 

yap - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poppies: The Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation (Hardcover)

plus - great for botanists

minus - how to grow, not so many images, images should have been on each page.

however it is a detailed book.