An in-depth guide to a plant group prized for its vivid blue hue. Renowned for its stunning blue flowers, agapanthus--sometimes known as the blue lily or lily of the Nile--is a group of rhizomatous plants native to southern Africa. First cultivated in the Netherlands in the late seventeenth century, it rose to prominence as a conservatory plant in England during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries after certain varieties were found to be hardy enough to withstand the colder climate of the British Isles. Graham Duncan's The Genus Agapanthus provides both a revised classification of this plant group and a superbly illustrated celebration of their unique beauty. Featuring new watercolors from South African artist Elbe Joubert and color photographs showing the species in their spectacular and varied natural habitats, the book also highlights a selection of more than 150 of the most notable agapanthus cultivars from growers across Europe, Africa, and Oceania. The agapanthus's natural history is spotlighted as well, with comprehensive descriptions of each species, maps of their global distribution, and information on how to successfully cultivate, propagate, and care for them. This book's blend of science, horticulture, and art makes it essential for all varieties of plant lovers.

Known as "lilies of the Nile" (though they're native to South Africa), the showy perennials in the genus Agapanthus have been avidly collected and grown since they were discovered by Dutch explorers in the 17th century. The few species in the genus have been hybridized intensively, yielding hundreds of interesting and dramatic cultivars. Despite their huge popularity among gardeners, however, there has never been a truly comprehensive book on the genus, an oversight that has finally been corrected by author Wim Snoeijer, working in concert with Holland's Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society. With keys and more than 100 color photos as an aid to identification, this groundbreaking book is one no devotee of these plants can afford to be without.

"Barbara Jeppe, botanical artist extraordinaire, began work on the paintings in July 1971 and for the next 28 years she collected and painted over 200 species of Amaryllidaceae. After her death in 1999, her daughter, Leigh Voigt, a versatile and highly acclaimed artist herself, picked up where she left off and painted most of the subsequently described species. This thorough easy-to-use guide is the first book dedicated entirely to the 18 genera in the family Amaryllidaceae in southern Africa. Apart from the over 240 exceptional watercolour plates there are detailed distribution maps and magnificent photographs showing plants in typical habitat conditions. The text has been written by one of the most knowledgeable horticulturists and botanists in the field, the inimitable Graham Duncan, who has written many books and articles on bulbs. The comprehensive text includes a full description of each species, a short history of the discovery of each plant, various aspects of growth, pollination, locality preference and affinities with similar species. There is a separate chapter on the cultivation of the species in the summer and winter rainfall areas in southern Africa and also in the northern hemisphere."--Publisher.

“Dan Hinkley is a rare man, generous, inspired, and gifted with an eye for beauty that is given to few people. How I long to wander again in the galloping beauty of his garden at Windcliff. Here it is, in all its inspiring wonder.” —Anna Pavord, author of Landskipping and The Curious Gardener Daniel Hinkley is widely recognized as one of the fore­most modern plant explorers and one of the world’s leading plant collectors. He has created two outstanding private gardens—Heronswood and Windcliff. Both gardens, and the story of how one begat the other, are beautifully celebrated in Hinkley’s new book, Windcliff. In these pages you will delight in Hinkley’s recounting of the creation of his garden, the stories of the plants that fill its space, and in his sage gardening advice. Hinkley’s spirited ruminations on the audacity and importance of garden-making—contemplations on the beauty of a sunflower turning its neck from dawn to dusk, the way a plant’s scent can spur a memory, and much more—will appeal to the hearts of every gardener. Filled with Claire Takacs’s otherworldly photography, Windcliff is spectacular for both its physical beauty and the quality of information it contains.

Agapanthus specialists Steven and his son Colin Hickman of Hoyland Plant Centre have created this user-friendly guide to Agapanthus which not only includes Agapanthus growing and propagation, but gives useful ideas and inspiration for using Agapanthus in the garden.