Trilliums

Rating:
Summary: A long-overdue treatment of a complex, beautiful genus.
Review: After almost half a century of exploration, study, and propagation, Fred and Roberta Case have produced a masterpiece. "Trilliums" offers a thouough discussion of the spring wildflowers variously known as 'wake-robin', 'sweet Beth' and 'Trinity Lily'. The book isn't perfect-the range maps look slightly tacky and may be inaccurate in a few cases-but the text is excellent and the color photographs are outstanding. Professionals and amateurs will find this book very satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: This is the Bible for Trillium gardeners
Review: The book has three main sections. The first section is an introduction which contains 6 pages about Trillium history, native geography, and plant relatives. 25 pages about the anatomy, biology, and ecology of Trillium. 13 pages on horticulture and propagation. 7 pages on conservation and bioethics.

The second section addresses Trillium taxonomy. It contains 6 pages on taxonomy, 13 pages on a taxonomic key to species, and 160 pages describing 38 species of Trilliums. Each species is fully described by common name, scientific name, key anatomy characteristic, flowering season, habitat, geographic distribution (including a map of distribution), varieties and forms.

The third section contains extra species information, glossary, and index. There are 22 pages about 5 Asiatic species, 8 page Glossary, 6 page Bibliography, and a 5 page Index by species.
In addition, there are 78 full color photographs. Photography is crisp and clear. Each species is presented in one or more large images.

This book is a classic! The writing is genius! It is informative, timely, and absolutely fascinating. Every detail you could imagine is revealed about this interesting collecting of plants. Whether your interest is as a botanist, horticulturalist, conservationist, or perennial gardener, you will find the information to be complete and exceptionally well written.

The book is a monograph on Trillium. It is the single key source of information on this genus. It is such a great blend of botany, horticulture, and inspired writing, that all other genus specific books will have to be measured against this work. I really loved the way the authors brought together all these diverse facts into one very readable text.

If you love Trillium and want to learn more about this beautiful plant - buy this book!