Bulbs for All Seasons

Barbara B. Aitken is a public services librarian in the Douglas Library
at Queen’s University, a board certified genealogical record specialist, and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

This is a comprehensive guide to over 200 bulbs, from those
spring-blooming crocuses and tulips to over 70 species of bulbs for all
four seasons. Included are the relatively unknown, but easy to grow,
exotics like Bletilla and Sprekelia. The author, a popular gardening
columnist at La Presse, is a passionate gardener. In this book, he
provides good descriptions of true bulbs, corms, tuberous roots, and
rhizomes and dispenses practical advice about buying, fertilizing, and
naturalizing techniques for gardening well with bulbs.

For every season, there are outstanding bulbs described and presented
in beautiful color. Spring brings snowdrops, tulips, and the
lesser-known and beautiful Eranthis and Puschkinia. Summer brings Cannas
and Dahlias as well as the many varieties of Anemones, Arum, and
Gloriosas (flame lily). Autumn brings Colchicum, Autumn Crocus, and
Lycoris, while for the winter Gingras recommends such bulbs as Clivia,
Cyclamen, Oxalis, and Sprekelia.

This beautifully illustrated book—the English translation of Des
bulbes en toutes saisons (2000)—is recommended for public libraries
and the personal libraries of avid gardeners.