The Himalayan Garden: Growing Plants from the Roof of the World
By addebook • Jun 23rd, 2008 • Category: Biology •
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The Himalayan Garden: Growing Plants from the Roof of the World
Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: 2001-05-01
Sales Rank: 1017102
ISBN / ASIN: 0881925004
EAN: 9780881925005
Binding: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
Studio: Timber Press, Incorporated
Average Rating: 4
In this unique resource, Jim Jermyn offers not the usual botanical travelogue but instead a horticultural handbook that allows gardeners at far-lower-than-Himalayan elevations to successfully grow those plants that are native to the high Himalaya mountains. The highlights include species of Euphorbia, Gentiana, Meconopsis, Primula, Rhododendron, and more.
Interest in the plants of this region is at a peak. These plants are guaranteed to add an exotic touch to any garden in which they are successfully grown, and with Jermyn’s expert instructions and tips, they can be easily maintained. Whether documenting a well-known garden plant or an uncommon species, Jermyn supplies tried-and-true instructions on garden site preferences and care based on his own extensive experience. Excellent photographs round out an introduction to the plants, and the book includes a comprehensive list of recommended sources from which to purchase specimens both in Europe and the United States.
Review:
For the serious gardener
This is a book for the knowledgeable gardener who loves to make the link between flowers native to exotic places and the home garden, and for the plantsman who will take immense trouble to grow specific plants.
In my experience it is an unique book because it combines the adventure and awe of the plant hunter in the Himalaya with practical advice about how to grow the plants that were discovered. The colour photographs of the Himalaya are impressive and help the reader to understand the natural environment of the plants described later.
The book has seven chapters. The first helps the reader understand the ecological divisions of the Himalaya and the different plant habitats. The second chapter takes a brief look at some of the plant hunters who ventured into the area and brought back new species to challenge our gardening skills. The next three chapters detail how to develop gardens to grow plants from the three main climate zones - temperate, subalpine and alpine. The final chapters cover propagation and pests and diseases. There is a list of sources for seeds and plants in both Europe and North America, a glossary, bibliography and index of plant names.
This book really added to my knowledge of plants. I’d never given much thought to the huge variety of plants from the Himalaya. If asked, I’d say primulas, rhododendrons and the blue poppy, Meconopsis. I had never realized how many species of Meconopsis there are. For a start you can find deep blue ones (M. x sheldonii), yellow ones (M. integrifolia)….
The primula species are even more numerous and some of the orchids take your breath away. The flower photography in this book is exceptional.
This is not a book for everyone, but it will be a joy to the serious plantsman. The author writes clearly and knowledgeably and his depth of experience and love for his topic come across to the reader.
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