Book Review - Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners

'Alpine Plants, Ecology for Gardeners' by John E G Good and David Millward, is an authoritative and practical guide to understanding alpines for all gardeners. Co-published with the Alpine Garden Society, the book studies in detail the ecology of alpine plants for the benefit of the keen alpine gardener.

In the introduction to the book the authors acknowledge that most people reading this book will be gardeners who grow alpine plants and want to improve their understanding of the ecology of alpines so that they can hope to grow the plants better in their own gardens.

The book certainly achieves that aim from a thorough introduction to alpine plants, a study of Arctic and alpine ecosystems, survival, growth and development of alpines and climate to the impact of snow cover and the chemical nutrition of alpine plants.

Viola – credit Robert Rolfe

The book contains excellent illustrations and will inform the reader on many less familiar alpine plants as well as the more known varieties.

The impact of global climate change on alpines is also covered and there is an excellent chapter on reproduction. The book also benefits from an extensive glossary and has a comprehensive references section.

Certainly for students of horticulture who wish to specialise or have a specific interest in alpines this book is a must for the bookshelf. For the alpine gardener who wants to learn in more depth about the habitat and characteristics of these delightful garden plants it will prove to be a useful and treasured reference.

Grandiflora credit D Millward

Dr John Good is a leading alpine planstman who also serves on the Joint Rock Garden Plant Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. Dr David Millward is a professional geologist with a keen interest in alpines, both in their natural habitats and in the garden. Both authors are members of the Alpine Garden Society.

The two authors bring their wealth of experience and knowledge together in a highly informed and readable way which leads the gardener to a greater understanding of alpines which grow among the most hostile environments on earth.