Paul Whittaker (1)

Hardy Bamboos is most valuable addition to any gardener's library. Paul Whittaker considers first the nature of Bamboos and their various natural habitat. The bulk of the book though is given over to detailed descriptions of the individual plants. It concludes with comments on cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases, and an interesting section entitled Myths, Legends and the Four Seasons. Among other useful inclusions are a glossary and bibliography.

The author writes from knowledgeably from personal experience, and applies a down to earth common sense approach to his subject. One of the first things that struck me was that he puts no limits or restrictions on growing bamboos. I found this particularly interesting as having a garden on chalk I had often been told that there were many bamboos that I could not grow on chalk, the author dispels this myth, and many others too. The advice on cultivation is very practical, and Paul Whittaker clearly is not one to pamper his plants, and I have to agree with that.

While I am not fan of pruning plants if it is not necessary or can be avoided, I would have liked to have seen a little more information on the subject, if only to say “don't prune”. But that aside it is hard to find fault with Hardy Bamboos, it is everything a good gardening book should be, informative, instructive, encouraging, well illustrated and positively opinionated.… (altro)

Not long after moving to Oregon, I discovered bamboo growing along our driveway. I've always loved bamboo and the arching sense of mystery it seems to carry. After a bit of research, I found this book and was immediately lost in its narrative style and depth of experience. The information on individual species is exhaustive, lyrical and straight-forward. No single page is difficult to read, but each section is a challenge simply because of the quality and quantity of information. This is also the case for the chapters on physiology, growing patterns, and geographic history. The pictures, both the photographs and the hand-drawn diagrams, are fantastic. This book is both practical and artistic. It will be the first one I grab when I'm ready to start planting.… (altro)