Gardeners love tulips, lilies, and pansies'the common, but beautiful, plants found in the average garden. But there are realms in the plant world far beyond these familiar favorites. In Bizarre Botanicals, plant experts Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross take readers on a curious botanical journey of weirdly wonderful plants that can be grown at home.
Bizarre Botanicals features over 75 astonishing plants that have extraordinary abilities'from pyrotechnic spores that can burst into flame when ignited to flowers that lure insects to their deaths. Each plant profile includes essential care and cultivation information. A difficulty scale alerts gardeners to how easy (or difficult) it is to grow the plant at home.
There's no reason to forsake lilies and petunias. But after reading Bizarre Botanicals, gardeners will want to take a walk on the weird side and try a few of these peculiar plants for themselves.
Larry Mellichamp, PhD, is professor emeritus of botany and horticulture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was also director of the university's Botanical Gardens, and is the co-author of six books.
Paula Gross is an instructor of horticulture at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, and former associate director of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens. She is the co-author of Bizarre Botanicals.