Book Review - Unwins Book of Bulbs

Uwins book of Bulbs - author Andrew McIndoe

Flowerbulbs account for a large proportion of the colour we add to our gardens each year and at last we have a new book especially dedicated to them. In Unwins 'Book of Bulbs' author Andrew McIndoe offers lots of advice and inspiration for using them in an easily accessible and inspirational way.

As Andrew explains: "Flowerbulbs are a magic ingredient that can transform your garden in many ways. You can plant groups in the border, to add splashes of colour before later flowering shrubs and perennials come into their own. You can plant them in pots for the patio, either on their own or mixed with other seasonal bedding plants. You can use them in pots or as cut flowers in the home to bring spring and summer a little closer. You can sprinkle them lightly or plant them in bold drifts to bring fresh, bright colours to the dull green spaces beneath trees, hedges and mature shrubs."

The great thing about flowerbulbs is that you do not need a lot of patience – you plant a season rather than a few years ahead of the finished result. There are no long-term consequences as to size and spread, nor worries over soil type and aftercare which we associate with trees, shrubs and perennials.

For a little financial outlay you are guaranteed the promise of colour and as Andrew's book illustrates you can be as creative and imaginative as you wish as there is an anlmost infinite colour palette to work with.

With over 30 years experience in the garden industry, the author - a keen gardener and award winning garden designer - has been growing flowerbulbs and using them in designs throughout his career. With any plant Andrew believes the secret of success is choosing the best plant for the situation. A robust, reliable subject that grows well is always a better decision than a delicate treasure that struggles.

In 'Book of Bulbs' you will find his recommendations from tried and trusted varieties that will deliver performance in a particular situation and he gives basic, easy to follow advice on how to grow them.

There are some excellent colour plates to help inspire you and to try and be adventurous with combinations and varieties. Tips on choosing, growing, planting or designing with bulbs are given on every page making the book an excellent manual to dip into for inspiration, help or ideas. Pictures have been taken in real situations to give a genuine impression of the contribution bulbs can make to any garden.

Unwins have been brightening British gardens for over 100 years and began trading in flowerbulbs in 1913. In producing this new book they are once again stimulating our interest in flowerbulbs.

As Andrew points out at the beginning of his book, "Flowerbulbs are little bits of magic that can transform your garden in many ways." To help you do that he looks at bulbs for fragrance and colour indoors, bulbs in pots, naturalising flowerbulbs and adding colour to beds and borders.

Unwins 'Book of Bulbs' is published by Westland Horticulture and costs £9.99.