Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates

With their bold foliage, exuberant colours, and luscious scents, exotic plants ignite curiosity and thrill the senses. Fortunately for gardeners in the world's cooler regions, it's not necessary to live in the tropics to experience spiky agaves, bright cannas, and the striking flame-like blooms of "Strelitzia reginae."
Showcasing an unparalleled array of exotic plants, this authoritative resource is sure to delight gardeners who covet their dramatic effects and flamboyant beauty. Drawing on his experience running the acclaimed Exotic Garden in decidedly untropical Norwich, England, Will Giles shows how--with a dash of insider knowledge--a myriad of beguiling exotics can be persuaded to flourish in the unlikeliest of places.
With more than 1500 species and cultivars described, the encyclopedia covers many plant groups, including aroids, bananas, gingers, bromeliads, cacti, yuccas, ferns, palms and more. Detailed cultivation advice enables gardeners of all levels to make informed choices from the expansive plant palette, and information on geographic origins, microclimates, and recommended nurseries in the United Kingdom and North America enhances this comprehensive volume.
Lavishly illustrated with over 500 dazzling colour photos, this vital reference will inspire gardeners to question conventional hardiness restrictions, experiment with new plants, and create gardens that are out of the ordinary.