French marigold - Tagetes patula

A richly illustrated guide to growing a most satisfying perennial, the peony.

The dazzling peony with its generous blooms is revered and treasured in North America as it has been for centuries in its country of origin, China. Peonies is a comprehensive guide to selecting and growing the best species and hybrids for every region and garden condition.

In an easy-to-use format, this informative and practical reference book has dozens of color photographs and features chapters on:

• Genus Paeonia and the modern hybrids
• Ornamental and herbaceous peonies
• Tree peonies, the "king of flowers"
• Cultivation and propagation techniques
• Fertilizers, preferred soil composition, watering and over-wintering
• Remedies for pests, diseases and disorders
• Landscaping recommendations with peonies
• Displaying peonies indoors
• The origin and history of peonies.

There is also a valuable appendix of selected varieties and a listing of associations and suppliers.

Many gardeners know of Impatiens walleriana, the species that lies behind the myriad colorful garden varieties that brighten up containers, window boxes, and shady spots throughout the world. The genus Impatiens is enormous, comprising over a thousand species—many of which, although highly desirable, remain lilttle known to Western gardeners.

Raymond Morgan first examines Impatiens through a botanical lens, describing their physiology, morphology, and seed dispersal mechanisms. He then recounts Victorian-era plant-hunting forays into the Himalayas and notes how modern-day expeditions, with due concern to conservation, continue to bring back species that will eventually find their way into nursery catalogs and gardens.

Perhaps most excitingly, the author describes over 200 species ranging from Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayas to New Guinea. Along the way the reader is acquainted with remarkable species, including the giant African Impatiens tinctoria, which grows to 6 feet tall, and Tibet's ultramarine I. nanchabarwensis, which grows in the deepest canyon on earth.

The genus Impatiens contains a wealth of untapped treasures for gardeners. With wonderful photographs complementing the detailed plant descriptions, this book is essential reading for curious-minded gardeners keen to unearth this fascinating and largely unexplored genus.