FAMILY OF FLOWERS CLEMATIS - Tapa dura

The plant family that takes its name from that tiresome weed, the buttercup, contains some our best-loved garden flowers. The cheering anemones, marsh marigolds like golden chalices, intricately pleated and spurred columbines, soaring delphinium, mysterious cowl-shaped monkshoods - as well as the clematis in all its glorious forms - are all close relations. These are links too between the vine-like leaves of Japanese anemones, the fennel strands of love-in-a-mist and the ferny foliage of thalictrums. In this book, Deborah Kellaway sets out on a month-by-month exploration of the Ranunculaceae in her garden. She watches the unfolding buds, then picks a bloom and takes it to her kitchen table for a closer look. Through her eyes we examine the intricacies of each plant and quickly learn to spot family likenesses. Each discovery of an unexpected relationship brings with it fresh pleasure. Deborah Kellaway's evocative descriptions of the colours and forms of these favourite plants provide an enticing introduction to gardening for novices, but will also enthral and delight seasoned plantspeople. Everyone will have their eyes opened a little wider, their enjoyment of gardens deepened by this book. "Clematis and its Family" is also full of practical advice. Deborah Kellaway is as good at conveying the impact of plants in the garden borders as at giving a bee's-eye-view of the flower in close-up. And from her experience of growing these plants herself, she is able to offer sound information about soil, cultivation and care, as well as perceptive ideas on positioning and companion planting.