Mr. Darke discusses many of these plants in his Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses (Timber Press, 1999).
As a primer, he suggested "Cape Bulbs," by Richard L. Doutt (Timber Press, 1994; $35).
We met last month to discuss his new book, Planting: A New Perspective (Timber Press, £30).
The excellently thorough, smart and handsome TIMBER PRESS GUIDE TO SUCCULENT PLANTS OF THE WORLD (Timber Press, $49.95), by Fred Dortort, offers a trove of jewels for a robust, drought-tolerant garden.
The book that belongs on every serious gardener's shelf is DIRR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TREES AND SHRUBS (Timber Press, $79.95).
Ms. Sumner's book "American Household Botany" (Timber Press, 2004), includes a colorful history of Cucurbita among the colonists.
Two other texts are "Hydrangeas: A Gardeners' Guide," by Toni Lawson-Hall and Brian Rothera (Timber Press, 1998) and "Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos," by Graham Stuart Thomas (Sagapress/ Timber Press, 1992).
Planting: A New Perspective by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury is published by Timber Press at £30.
Mr. Nold is the author of a dangerous book called "Penstemons," just published by Timber Press ($30).
You can read all about that in the new "Beverley Nichols: A Life" by Bryan Connon (Timber Press, $30).
