Description

There are over 100 species of the genus Fritillaria occurring in the wild throughout the northern temperate zone, in a wide variety of habitats, from grassy downlands and cornfields to pine woods and alpine slopes. Nevertheless relatively few are known to the gardener, and this book sets out to show that many more species of these delicate spring flowers than are currently grown are quite viable garden plants, given the right cultural conditions. Full species descriptions are provided, as well as a wealth of practical information on cultivation, including advice on hardiness, soil types and planting associations, and on propagation, together with tips on how to improve the strain through selective breeding. Line drawings capture minute botanical detail, and colour photographs show the great variation characteristic of the genus.