University of Chicago Press: New Titles from 'Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew'

Genus Cyclamen

Brian Mathew — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Cyclamen is a literary and artistic darling, decorating ceramics, pottery, and jewelry, and found in botanical art references dating back to the first century. It is also a favorite of gardeners, growers, and botanists due to its extraordinary capacity for variation, in colors, shapes, fragrances, and flowering periods.

Genus Cyclamen is a celebration of this remarkable plant. Its science-based emphasis on botany and cultivation is complemented by sections on art and history, including twenty-five newly commissioned paintings and over seven hundred photographs. It provides a wealth of information, including taxonomic descriptions, flowering periods, distribution, and habitat, all based on the deep knowledge and practical experiences of the Cyclamen Society and other cyclamen experts. This book will find a wide audience of growers, gardeners, botanists, and enthusiasts, thanks to its all-encompassing coverage of the cyclamen and its informative, but accessible style.

International Garden Photographer of the Year

Philip Smith — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The International Garden Photographer of the Year competition has blossomed into one of the premiere showcases for nature and landscape photography, receiving thousands of entries from both professional and amateur participants. The competition encourages photos that take fresh approaches to their subjects, pushing the boundaries of garden photography. New categories this year are Wildflower Landscapes and Wildlife in the Garden, joining others such as Beautiful Gardens, Greening the City, and a special Young Garden Photographer of the Year.

This eagerly anticipated sixth collection of finalists brings together an exceptional group of photos, ranging from a split-second shot of hummingbird wings to eerily beautiful x-rays of flowers. Photos spill across the pages, allowing readers to pore over every detail. And though the beauty of the images can speak for itself, each photo comes with descriptions that tell how the photographer caught each moment and what camera and settings were used. The collection reminds us that despite advances in technology, the people behind the cameras are still the true talent.

This year’s best photos will be shown in exhibitions across the world, with shows in New York City, London, Edinburgh, Sydney, Nuremburg, Lisbon, and more. With a winning combination of beautiful images and insight into the photographer’s process, this collection will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any gardener, nature lover, or photography enthusiast.

David Nash

Michelle Payne — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Over a forty-year span, a select group of trees has found new life beyond their natural ones as part of David Nash’s stunning sculptures. Using only materials that have met an organic end, Nash has shaped and scorched, chiseled and chopped to create fascinating and often epic sculptures. Thanks to a year-long residency at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the public had a unique chance to see Nash in action as he worked to create an evolving exhibition in one of the world’s greatest gardens.

Capturing all of this and more is the retrospective David Nash: A Natural Gallery. It serves as a visual interpretation of Nash’s work, both during his residency at the Gardens and his artistic career as a whole. The book chronicles the exhibits Nash created over his year at Kew, with rich photographs that show the works developing over time and their interplay with the changing seasonal background. Older works are also featured with explanations that detail Nash’s process, including where the source materials were found, what tools were used, and interpretations of the work. The book also includes essays that explore different facets of Nash’s art and practice, in which academics and critics offer their analysis of the methods used by Nash and his commitment to the environment, which he calls our “outer skin.” Together, the striking images and insightful analyses give readers a special glimpse of the creative processes as Nash creates his ethereal statements about humanity’s relationship with nature.

Flora Zambesiaca Volume 8 Part 5

J. R. Timberlake; E. S. Martins — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Flora Zambesiaca series, published in over 200 parts, provides comprehensive descriptive accounts of the flowering plants and ferns native and naturalized in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and the Caprivi Strip. Meticulous botanical illustrations illustrate an example of each genera. This is an essential tool for ecological surveys, as no other publication provides the depth and scope.

Hardy Cypripedium

Werner Frosch; Phillip Cribb — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

With a name that references Aphrodite and colors that range from muted to majestic, it is easy to see why the Cypripedium, commonly known as the slipper orchid, is one of the most loved orchids. Now readers can learn what it takes to fully appreciate and care for this genus.

Hardy Cypripedium presents the fifty species and one hundred hybrids of the slipper orchid through more than three hundred photos. It also provides plant descriptions, ecology, distribution, and cultivation methods. Sections on history, morphology, and conservation round out the guide. Professional and amateur growers, as well as fans of orchids of all types, will find a wealth of useful information in this beautiful book.