cover image Daffodils for American Gardens

Daffodils for American Gardens

Brent Heath, Becky Heath. Elliott & Clark Pub., $24.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-1-880216-33-0

In a joyous, enthusiastic spirit that reflects the nature of their subject, the Heaths, who operate the Daffodil Mart, a national supply house, offer a compendium of daffodils, which is the common name for the genus Narcissus. Abundant photographs blend with clearly detailed information to demonstrate the great variety of this ``carefree, pest-free, drought-tolerant, diverse and beautiful group of plants'' and their suitability to growing zones ranging from Northwest Canada to the Southwest U.S. (and to a growing season longer than usually considered). Chapters move from ``Daffodil Anatomy'' through their culture (including regional recommendations), naturalizing, forcing and growing for exhibition, to miniatures and companion plantings. An extensive, alphabetical list of cultivars, each with a photo, wraps up this handsome reference/gift book. Mail-order sources and a bibliography are also included. (Oct.)