Willows: The Genus Salix

This book offers the reader a comprehensive world-wide survey of willows (Genus Salix) extending from tiny alpine and arctic plants to the huge specimen trees found in water meadows, including essential botanical distinguishing features and a full glossary.The opening section of the book covers the origin and global distribution of willows. In the section on general characteristics and classification of willows careful attention is given to nomenclature. Alternative names are included to avoid the considerable confusion that already exists in identification. The management and cultivation of willows is extensively detailed.A range of willows for specific sites - such as ornamental trees for large or small gardens, dwarf and ground-hugging alpine species for rock gardens and tiny willows for sink gardens - is described with basic information on management, and concise discussions and illustrations of the origin, hardiness, growth rate and outstanding features of each.The work is dual purpose, and will be invaluable to both the practical gardener and as a source of reference to the keen botanist.