With their abundance of flower, handsome foliage, robust constitution, and frequently stunning fruits, viburnums are among the most beautiful and versatile hardy shrubs available to gardeners. Yet despite these outstanding qualities, there has never been an entire volume devoted to them û until now. In this definitive, comprehensive, generously illustrated guide, internationally renowned woody plant expert Michael Dirr provides a wealth of information about every species and cultivar worthy of horticultural consideration. Dirr details each plant's height, spread, foliage, habit, floral characteristics, fruits, special traits such as fragrance or attractive bark, hardiness, origin, cultural needs, and overall garden appeal. These finely judged appraisals make it easy for the gardener or designer to choose the right plant for the right situation.

This is a fine architectural specimen, so be sure to provide it with plenty of space to shine. Similar to the palmate leaves of horse chestnut, the crinkled foliage of this species is tinted bronze and heavily veined. Leaflets radiate from the center and shaggy brown hair covers the loosely branched stalks. Pyramidal flowers range in color from porcelain white to muted pink.

The purest white peony-flowered tulip available. 18" tall stems, and massive bright white flowers appear in late spring when most other tulips have finished their show. Plant in full sun, otherwise the heads can become too heavy for the shade weakened stems. 6+ hours is the best guideline for tulips. Plant in well drained soil.

With handsome, finely cut leaves looking more helleboraceous than Paeonia and lovely, nodding rich pink flowers in May, for beauty that can be described as purely and wonderfully simple. 2 ft.; an easy species for full sun or light shade in well-drained soil.

Seedling-grown progeny from an isolated colony of this species in our rock garden. From tufts of unusually downy leaves and stems emerge fantastic flowers in handsome tones of brick red through deep purple, though it is the petal of each flower that distinguishes these from the typical species. Each flower possesses a spidery, deeply cleft petal edge providing a handsome textural quality that is nothing short of awesome. Especially effective in a small group.

There are numerous seed-raised clones of this ôcultivarö that make their way through commerce, and though I will not declare that we have the real McCoy, I will say that it is particularly good and possesses a fine pedigree. Once tended by Eric Smith at Hadspen House in Devon, a division was kindly shared with me by Nori Pope who has brought the gardens at Hadspen back to life. The jagged-leaflet, pinnate foliage emerges with coppery purple tones forming magnificent clumps to 2.5 ft. over time, while the very pretty tiered panicles of flowers to 4 ft. are of a rich and titillating pink. Can be grown in full sun if provided especially rich and moist soil, though less challenging in shaded borders.