lamdha books -
Catalogue of books on plants and their cultivation

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217353 Barthlott, Wilhelm & Stefan Porembski, Rudiger Seine, Inge Theisen The Curious World of Carnivorous Plants A Comprehensive Guide to their Biology and Cultivation Timber Press, Portland, 2008. Quarto hardcover; green boards with silver gilt spine titling; 224pp., colour illustrations. Minor wear only; near fine in like dustwrapper now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Plants that trap and eat animals: an amazing phenomenon that has inspired awe since before the days of Darwin. Lured into the danger zone by optical, tactile and olfactory strategies, the prey succumb to ingenious traps and face their doom. This exquisite book, copiously illustrated with closeup photography, provides detailed descriptions - including trapping mechanisms, digestion, and prey - and cultivation information for key species in 17 genera and 10 families. Most notably, it includes the first comprehensive listing of some 630 known carnivorous plant species, described in fascinating detail, with identification history and geographic distribution species by species. An essential reference book. Click here to order $32

209963 Bath, Trevor, & Joy Jones The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hardy Geraniums David & Charles Publishers, Newton Abbot Devon UK, 2000. Reprint: octavo; hardcover, full cloth with gilt spine titles; 157pp., with a full-colour frontispiece and many illustrations likewise. Mild wear; text block and page edges very lightly toned. Dustwrapper lightly rubbed. Very good. Click here to order $22

42660 Brown, Jane Tales of the Rose Tree Ravishing Rhododendrons and Their Travels Around the World HarperCollins Publishers, London, 2004. Hardcover, octavo, 308pp., monochrome and colour illustrations. Owner's name on prelim. Minor wear. Near fine in like dustwrapper (now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film). From the giant Rhododendron falconeri, with its peeling cinnamon bark on sculptured trunks to the delicate potted azalea on the garden patio, almost everyone has a rhododendron within reach of their daily lives. Yet beneath its lush foliage lie the roots of an epic passage down from the roof of the world. In fascinating tales of global movement, Jane Brown celebrates this majestic and ancient beauty and tells the success story of a species forced to exist out of its natural habitat and one which came to be the subject of feverish adoration. Click here to order $18

210083 Clark, Timothy Mary McMurtrie's Country Garden Flowers Garden Art Press, Woodbridge Suffolk UK, 2009. Quarto; hardcover, green boards with gilt upper board and spine titling, illustrated endpapers; 191pp., with many full-colour and monochrome illustrations. Minor wear; mild rubbing and edgewear to dustwrapper, front fore-edge lightly sunned (now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film). Near fine. Mary McMurtie belonged to the small band of enthusiasts, which included Margery Fish and Gladys Emmerson, who grew double primroses during the period after the Second World War. At a time when every fifth day a house of some architectural importance was being demolished, these enthusiasts, along with fellow gardeners, preserved many of the plants from our gardening heritage of the previous centuries. The book, illustrated with paintings intended to illustrate an unpublished book on cottage garden flowers, records how Mary McMurtrie created her garden at Balbithan and used her nursery to distribute the double primroses and cottage garden plants which her husband bequeathed to her. Click here to order $30

210004 Clements, Mark A The Allure of Orchids National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2013. Quarto, flexibound; 159pp., colour illustrations, decorated endpapers. Mild wear; some scattered spotting to spine edge of rear cover. Very good to near fine. Click here to order $23

217968 Cox, Peter A. (foreword Robin Herbert) The Cultivation of Rhododendrons B.T. Batsford, London, 1993. Quarto hardcover; green boards with gilt spine titling, green endpapers; 288pp., colour plates and b&w line drawings and illustrations. One or two tiny scrapes on lower board corners. Near fine in like dustwrapper now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. "Peter Cox's work as collector, grower and hybridizer have placed him at the forefront of all the development and changes that have occurred in respect of rhododendrons for the last thirty years. As holder of the Victoria Medal of Honour, his horticultural credentials are renowned. We are fortunate that he has decided to bring together in one volume the knowledge of rhododendron cultivation accumulated in a lifetime that has been dominated by a passion for these fascinating plants" - Robin Herbert. Click here to order $60

210124 Davidian, H.H. The Rhododendron Species - two volumes Volume 1: Lepidotes; Volume 2: Elepidote Species, Series Arboreum-Lacteum The Timber Press, Portland OR, 1982/B.T. Batsford Ltd., London, 1989. Two volumes, quarto; hardcover, with gilt spine titles; 775pp. [431pp. + 344pp.], with monochrome frontispieces, maps, 88pp. of full-colour plates and many monochrome illustrations. Moderate wear; Volume 1 slightly shaken; softening and scraping to the spine extremities; text block edges lightly toned and top edges dusted; mild offset and some mild marks to the endpapers. Dustwrappers are mildly rubbed and edgeworn with some light chipping and mild creasing to the spine panel extremities; now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Very good. Click here to order $85

210055 Fiala, John L. Lilacs A Gardener's Encyclopedia The Timber Press, Portland OR, 2008. Revised edition. Quarto hardcover; green boards with gilt spine titling; 416pp., colour and monochrome illustrations. Minor wear only; spine panel of dustwrapper mildly sunned. Near fine Click here to order $45

42530 Francis, Richard Growing Rhododendrons Kangaroo Press, Sydney NSW, 1997. Hardcover, quarto; dark red boards with white spine titling; 176pp., colour illustrations. Spotting to text block edges; illustrated dustwrapper sunned along the spine panel. Very good. Click here to order $20

217933 Grenfell, Diana The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hostas David & Charles Publishers, Newton Abbot Devon UK, 1996. Royal octavo; hardcover, green boards with gilt spine title; 160pp., with many colour and monochrome illustrations. Mild wear; text block and page edges very lightly toned; one or two spots on endpapers. Dustwrapper lightly rubbed. Very good to near fine. Click here to order $22

209946 Howells, John Clematis - The Montanas A Book for Gardeners Garden Art Press/Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., Woodbridge Suffolk UK, 2005. Royal octavo; hardcover, with gilt spine and upper board titles and decorative endpapers; 215pp., with a full-colour frontispiece, a decorated title page, and many full-colour and monochrome illustrations. Mild wear; some minor insect damage to the board edges. Dustwrapper lightly rubbed. Very good. Click here to order $22

209949 Jefferson-Brown, Michael Narcissus The Timber Press Inc., Portland OR, 1991. Octavo; hardcover, with gilt spine titles; 224pp., with 32pp. of full-colour plates and many monochrome illustrations. Mild wear to spine extremities scraped lightly; text block edge slightly spotted. Dustwrapper is lightly sunned along the spine panel. Very good. This book is a worldwide, comprehensive guide to wild and hybrid narcissi, giving both cultural information and historical background. The author explains the present conception of the genus, together with a detailed account of the history and breeding of today's hybrid races. Click here to order $22

209959 Jekyll, Gertrude Lilies for English Gardens A Guide for Amateurs Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., London, 1982. Octavo; hardcover, full cloth with gilt spine and upper board titles and decorative endpapers; 152pp. (+ 3pp. of adverts), with a full-colour frontispiece and many full-colour and monochrome illustrations. Minor wear; text block and page edges very lightly toned; previous owner's ink inscription to the flyleaf. Dustwrapper is rubbed and edgeworn; sunned along the spine panel. Very good. This text is written to dispel the myth that lilies are difficult to grow and best left to specialists. This illustrated handbook is aimed specifically at the amateur and is a tribute to these plants which the author feels deserve a much wider appreciation. Click here to order $30

210086 Kilpatrick, Jane, & Jennifer Harmer The Galanthophiles 160 Years of Snowdrop Devotees Orphans Publishing, Leominster UK, 2018. Quarto; hardcover; black boards with gilt spine titles, decorated endpapers; 258pp., with many full-colour & b&w illustrations and green ribbon marker. Mild wear only; fine in like dustwrapper. Snowdrops known botanically as Galanthus came of horticultural age between 1854-2014. The Galanthophiles explores not only the discovery of new variants and species during that time but also the stories of the ardent enthusiasts who sought out, cherished, and shared these deceptively fragile white flowers. The Galanthophiles brings to life the forgotten experts whose knowledge and skills contributed to the preservation of the snowdrops we love today. Click here to order $70

78673 Klein, Carol (Jonathan Buckley, illus., Erica Hunningher, ed.) Plant Personalities Choosing and Growing Plants by Character Cassell Illustrated/Octopus Publishing Group Ltd., London, 2004. Quarto; hardcover, with silver-gilt spine-titling; 176pp., with many full-colour photographic illustrations. Near fine in like dustwrapper, now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Plants can be flamboyant and voluptuous, funny and frivolous, even shy and retiring, but do they really have personalities? In this book, Klein demonstrates how understanding plants' needs and providing the appropriate conditions enables them to develop their true characters - the qualities that make them what they are. Personality traits can be as valuable as height, habit, and flower colour when choosing your plants. Some plants are good-natured, contributing to the overall landscape for months, while others are fleeting, grabbing the spotlight for a brief but breathtaking display. Still others lend a sense of frivolity or sensuality to the garden. Illustrated with superb photographs, Plant Personalities will inspire any gardener to see the unique character in every plant. Click here to order $20

209956 Lewis, Peter, & Margaret Lynch (Roger Phillippo, illus.) Campanulas Christopher Helm (Publishers) Ltd., Bromley Kent UK, 1989. Octavo; hardcover, with gilt spine titles; 149pp., with 8pp. of full-colour plates and many monochrome illustrations. Minor wear; retailer's bookplate to the front pastedown. Dustwrapper. Near fine. Published in Association with the Hardy Plant Society, the book covers a full range of topics from history and classification to practical tips on growing campanulas, including using them in flower arrangements. Click here to order $20

204737 McGredy, Sam (Joyce Blake, illus.) Look to the Rose - signed by the author A View from New Zealand David Bateman (with Penclaren House), Auckland New Zealand, 1981. Quarto; hardcover, with silver-gilt spine titles and decorative endpapers; 112pp., with many monochrome and colour illustrations. Mild wear; spine sunned; previous owner's ink inscription to the flyleaf; signed in ink by the author to the title page. No dustwrapper as issued. Very good in a like slipcase with a gilt decoration. Click here to order $40

217972 Mathew, Brian & Philip Swindells The Complete Book of Bulbs: Corms, Tubers and Rhizomes A Step-by-Step Guide to Nature's Easiest and Most Rewarding Plants RD Press, Surrey Hills, 1995. Quarto hardcover; illustrated boards with yellow endpapers; 240pp., colour illustrations. Minor wear only; a few scattered spots on half-title and title pages; near fine in like dustwrapper now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. This book combines comprehensive cultivation details with a wealth of exciting design options. Seasonal plant directories list and describe over 750 recommended species and varieties, and give advice on growth and propagation. Click here to order $25

209969 Mitchell, Jodie, & Lynne Lawson The Plant Lover's Guide to Primulas in Association with Kew Royal Botanical Gardens The Timber Press Inc., Portland OR, 2016. Square octavo; hardcover, with illustrated boards; 248pp., with many full-colour illustrations. Minor wear. No dustwrapper as issued. Near fine. Click here to order $20

71138 Nicholls, Graham Dwarf Campanulas The Timber Press, Portland OR, 2006. Quarto; hardcover, 272pp., colour illustrations. Dustwrapper. Remainder. New. 'Aside from the generally robust pantheon of campanulas and close relatives that perform exuberantly in herbaceous borders during high summer, there is a very considerable coterie of much dwarfer, more concise plants, generally rewardingly floriferous, and typically inhabiting the mountainous parts of the world, largely saxatile, intermittently moraine-dwelling, chasmophytic, and scree-segregated or more generally alpine-associated throughout their range. Some frustrate the efforts of all but the most skilled growers; rather more respond magnificently if their none too demanding needs are met. It is mostly a matter of understanding their diverse natures - some are soundly perennial, others monocarpic, a few are biennial and catering for their various needs (clearly defined in this long-awaited book ...) Determined wanderers in the main, relatively few will repeat perform without your further intervention, but suitably provided for, they will provide exuberant performances rivalling those of almost anything else in the gardening year.' (Robert Rolfe). Click here to order $20

203670 O'Neill, Helen Daffodil Biography of a Flower HarperCollins Publishers, Sydney NSW, 2016. Octavo; hardcover, with upper board decoration and decorated endpapers; 256pp., with many colour and monochrome illustrations. Minor wear. Dustwrapper lightly rubbed. Fine. A beautifully illustrated, visually lush and intriguing book about the world's most popular and most powerful flower. The daffodil is the beautiful first flower of spring, the inspiration of poets, a treasure-trove to scientists and a symbol of everything from unrequited love, rebirth, eternal life and misfortune. Over centuries, the daffodil has been so many things to so many people: it was called 'Narcissus' by the Greeks and prized by the Romans as guarantee of passage to the Underworld; it was used by medieval Arabs and ancient Chinese for its medicinal properties and it has inspired poets, lovers, artists and scientists down the ages. But in telling the story of the daffodil, what award-winning, best-selling writer Helen O'Neill is really telling is the story of humanity. It's a narrative of progress from superstition and myth, taking in politics, greed, religion, science, chance, redemption and love. But, appropriately enough for a flower that is now used on a worldwide basis to raise funds for cancer research, it is, above all, a story of hope. Moving, fascinating, eloquent, and also beautiful. Click here to order $22

82566 Organ, John Gourds Decorative and Edible, for Garden, Craftwork and Table Faber and Faber Ltd., London, 1963. Hardcover, octavo; 188pp., monochrome plates & illustrations. Minor wear; faint spotting to text block edges; illustrated yellow dustwrapper with some scraping at spine extremities and along spine edge; rubbing to rear panel. Very good and professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Click here to order $17

30796 Pavord, Anna The Tulip Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., London, 1999. First edition: royal octavo; hardcover, with illustrated endpapers; 440pp., with a decorated title page and many colour and monochrome illustrations. Minor wear; mild toning and faint spotting to text block and page edges. Otherwise near fine and now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. The Tulip is not a gardening book. It is the story of a flower that has made men mad. Greed, desire, anguish, devotion have all played their part in the development of the tulip from a wild flower of the Asian steppes to the world-wide phenomenon it is today. The US alone imports three thousand million tulip bulbs each year, Germany and France even more. Why did the tulip dominate so many lives through so many centuries in so many countries? The author, a self-confessed tulipomaniac, has spent six years looking for answers. No other flower has ever carried so much baggage; it charts political upheavals, illuminates social behaviour, mirrors economic booms and busts, plots the ebb and flow of religious persecution. Roaming through Asia, India, Russia and the Ottoman Empire, the author tells how the tulip arrived from Turkey and took the whole of Western Europe by storm. In the petals of the exquisite English florists' tulips, still exhibited in competition by members of the Wakefield Tulip Society in Yorkshire, runs the blood of flowers first grown by John Evelyn in the middle of the seventeenth century. Sumptuously illustrated from a wide range of sources, the book also features descriptions of eighty wild-species tulips and several hundred garden varieties. Click here to order $30

209968 Picton, Paul & Helen The Plant Lover's Guide to Asters in Association with Kew Royal Botanical Gardens The Timber Press Inc., Portland OR, 2015 Square octavo; hardcover, with illustrated boards; 248pp., with many full-colour illustrations. Minor wear. No dustwrapper as issued. Near fine. Click here to order $20

209942 Pratt, Kevin, & Michael Jefferson-Brown The Gardener's Guide to Growing Fritillaries Florilegium, Balmain NSW, 1997. Quarto; hardcover, with gilt spine titles; 160pp., with full-colour frontispiece and many monochrome and full-colour illustrations. Minor wear. Dustwrapper mildly rubbed and edgeworn. Near fine. Click here to order $20

217931 Rice, Graham & Elizabeth Strangman The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hellebores David & Charles Publishers, Newton Abbot Devon UK, 1995. Reprint: octavo; hardcover, dark red boards with gilt spine titles; 160pp., with many colour and monochrome illustrations. Mild wear; text block and page edges very lightly toned. Dustwrapper lightly rubbed. Very good to near fine. Click here to order $22

210013 Romanowski, Nick Gardening with Carnivores Sarracenia Pitcher Plants in Cultivation & in the Wild UNSW Press, Sydney NSW, 2002. Octavo; paperback; 106pp., colour illustrations. Mild edgewear. Very good. Click here to order $20

210071 Schmid, W. George The Genus Hosta Giboshi Zoku The Timber Press, Portland OR, 1999. Quarto hardcover; green boards with gilt spine titling, map endpapers; 428pp., colour and monochrome illustrations. Board edges and corners well-rubbed; dustwrapper spine panel sunned. Very good to near fine. Wrapper now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as "hostas", "plantain lilies" and occasionally by the Japanese name "giboshi". Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. This classification for the genus reflects the author's fascination with hostas. All hostas known at the time of writing are detailed, including their 3500 names and synonyms in many languages (300 in Japanese kana). Click here to order $45

217966 van Gelderen, D M & J R P Van Hoey Smith Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia: two volumes Timber Press with The Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society, Portland, 1996. Two quarto hardcover volumes; brown boards with gilt spine titling; 706pp., & colour illustrations, b&w maps: first volume A-K, second L-Z with indexes. Minor wear; some scattered spotting to early and late pages in both volumes. Very good to near fine in like dustwrappers now professionally protected by superior non-adhesive polypropylene film. Compiled by two of the world's authorities on the subject and illustrated throughout in full colour, this book has the most complete collection of photographs (2347) of conifers ever assembled. This edition of the encyclopedia updates the authors' acclaimed earlier book, Conifers, originally published in 1986. The authors have added 10 genera - bringing the total covered to 65. Included for each are notes on distribution, discussion of botanical characteristics and classification as well as lists of species of particular merit. New in this two volume set are a common name index, an index of synonyms, a suggested reading list and a brief essay on photographing conifers. Click here to order $100

209982 Wilder, Louise Beebe (Walter Beebe Wilder, illus.) Adventures with Hardy Bulbs Lyons Press, New York NY, 1998. Octavo; paperback; 363pp., monochrome illustrations. Minor wear; small mark on lower text block edge and one or two spots. Very good to near fine. Click here to order $17