The adventurous gardener's sourcebook of rare and unusual plants

the long version

For the gardener who wants to grow more than the usual azaleas and marigolds, The Adventurous Gardener's Sourcebook of Rare and Unusual Plants is a glorious catalog of the world's most uncommon and unsung annuals, perennials, bulbs, herbs, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. Hundreds of species noted for their singular beauty, relative rarity, undeserved obscurity, or particularly intriguing history are described in detail, including advice on planting, climate and sources, and integrating exotic with more traditional plants. Instead of the same old run-of-the-mill plants that everyone else has, why not try something a little more adventurous? William Mulligan and Elvin McDonald, both highly esteemed gardening experts, reveal the treasure trove that awaits the gardener willing to experiment. They also include a complete section on sources, including seed catalogs and exchanges, mail-order nurseries, and plant societies, to help even the most casual gardener become a modern-day plant hunter. Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 full-color photographs, The Adventurous Gardener's Sourcebook of Rare and Unusual Plants is an indispensable guide to creating a uniquely personal out-of-the-ordinary garden environment.