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Daffodil: The remarkable story of the world's most popular spring flower (Hardcover)

Daffodil: The remarkable story of the world's most popular spring flower Cover Image
By Noel Kingsbury, Jo Whitworth (By (photographer))
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Description


There is no harbinger of spring like a field or garden filled with bright yellow daffodils. But the world of the daffodil is much more than just its place in the march of the seasons. It’s a plant whose history starts with the tombs of the Pharaohs, through pre-Darwin evolutionary theory and Cornwall’s burgeoning bulb business, and leads to the current explosion of varieties from plant breeders seeking new colors, fragrances, and forms.

Daffodil reveals a global plant infatuation that has led to more than 25,000 cultivars available in nearly every shade of yellow (and now pink, orange, and white). Noel Kingsbury tells the tale through an engaging narrative history and plant portraits that highlight more than 200 varieties. Jo Whitworth's revealing photography shows a side of the daffodil rarely seen. Plant lovers will relish the stories and gardeners will cherish the cultivation notes, plant descriptions, and recommendations.

About the Author


Noel Kingsbury is a researcher, writer, and teacher. A gardener since childhood, he has run a nursery, designed gardens and public spaces, and done doctoral research at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape on the ecology of ornamental perennials. He lives and gardens in the Welsh Borders near Hay-on-Wye.



Jo Whitworth is an award-winning photographer based in the UK. Her inspirational images feature in a wide range of books and magazines. While taking photographs for this book, she discovered the original seedbeds where Victorian breeders conducted their trials, found colonies of wild daffodils alive and well in British meadows, and photographed contemporary breeders at work across the British Isles from Cornwall to Scotland.

Praise For…


“A fascinating, up-beat book with floral sunshine on every page. One you will look at again and again.” —Gardens Illustrated
 
“A delightful book for almost any gardener, and a wonderful resource for designers who are looking for something different.” —Garden Design Online

“The book, richly illustrated by the photographs of Jo Whitworth, is a thorough treatment of the reliable spring flower. Kingsbury delves into its history and the origins of its name, explores the follower’s symbolism and explains its life cycle, how it’s classified and even its chemical properties.” —Akron Beacon Journal

“A recognized authority on the selection and management of ornamental perennials, Kingsbury relates the role of daffodils in legend and history. He emphasizes their great diversity and the divisions within these different forms. . . . Photographer Jo Whiteworth captures the glory of daffodils in individual portraits of plants, blended together in fields, hedges, and borders.” —Chicago Botanic Garden
 
“Here’s what there is to love: History, science, botany, yummy photos, explanation of the divisions, how daffodils moved across Britain, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia, shows and judging. . . . This is a charming, informative and beautiful book!” —All the Dirt on Gardening

“What a fascinating book!” —Cold Climate Gardening
 
“Everything one needs to know about the species is covered. . . . With color photography by Jo Whitworth on every page, the book explains the daffodil’s early history. . . . and spread around the world.” —Desert Exposure
 


Product Details
ISBN: 9781604693188
ISBN-10: 1604693185
Publisher: Timber Press
Publication Date: September 24th, 2013
Pages: 220
Language: English