Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms (Timber Press Pocket Guides) - Softcover

Robert Lee Riffle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881927767 ISBN 13: 9780881927764

Publisher: Timber Press, 2008

Synopsis

Native to every continent except Antarctica, palms are most closely identified with tropical regions and one species in particular, Cocos nucifera, the coconut palm, is the universally recognized symbol of all things tropical. Yet, many palms can withstand freezing and thus can be grown in mild temperate climates where the average low temperature does not drop below 5-F ( 15-C). In addition, palms thrive in a wide range of habitats from swamps to deserts, rain forests to plains and grasslands. Some prefer full sun, others deep shade. Some are stemless shrubs, others are solitary or clustering trees, and still others are vinelike, but all are evergreen. Given such diversity and versatility, it is surprising that palms are underutilized in landscapes and gardens, even in tropical climes. Several reasons account for this, including misconceptions about the plants' growing requirements and unfamiliarity with their ornamental qualities. This pocket guide remedies both problems. It unlocks the keys to successfully growing 200 of the most common and easily obtainable palm species and hybrids, and it highlights botanical characteristics that are of interest to gardeners and landscapers. Each description includes details of trunk, crownshaft, leaf, flower, and fruit to assist in plant identification and selection. The extensive cultivation notes include details of mature tree size, cold hardiness, and light, soil, and water requirements. Suggestions for using the plants indoors and out will help even novice gardeners know where to start, and succinct information on seed germination will assist anyone who wants to grow their own palms from seed. Illustrated with more than 300 color photographs, this guide is a valuable complement to "An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms" and an ideal reference for taking to the nursery or garden center.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Lee Riffle (1940-2006) was an internationally recognized authority on palms and tropical plants. His landmark book, The Tropical Look: An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants (1998), won an American Horticultural Society Book Award, as did An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms (2003), which he co-wrote with Paul Craft. For 25 years Bob was a strong presence online, answering questions and encouraging gardeners in their endeavors via postings on garden and plant message boards. He generously shared his extensive knowledge gently and with wit as the moderator of the International Palm Society's active PalmTalk message board. Bob was an accomplished pianist, a gifted photographer, and an enthusiastic film buff. He had finished writing the manuscript for the Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms when he passed away unexpectedly.

From the Back Cover

Although they are a symbol of the tropics, palms are indigenous to every continent except Antarctica and can be grown in climates with temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C). So why are palms often under-utilized in landscapes, even tropical ones? Perhaps because of our unfamiliarity with their cultural needs. The Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms unlocks the keys to successfully growing 200 of the most common and easily obtainable palm species and hybrids for temperate, Mediterranean, warm temperature, and tropical regions. Details of mature tree size, cold hardiness, and light, soil, and water requirements accompany suggestions for using the palms indoors and out. Illustrated with more than 300 color photographs, this guide is a valuable complement toAn Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms and an ideal reference for taking to the nursery or garden center.

Edition details

• Publisher: Timber Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0881927767
• ISBN 13: 9780881927764
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244