SPRING AND WINTER FLOWERING BULBS OF THE CAPE (Collectors’ Edition)

Collectors’ Edition: 143 pages, 62 colour plates with descriptive text opposite, with a glossary and indexes to scientific names and common names, half green morocco and marbled paper sides, contained in a grey cloth and marbled paper slip case with leather lips - binding and case by Peter Carstens, a fine copy.

Collectors’ Edition: This is volume 27 of the Collectors’ Edition which is limited to 100 copies. Signed by the Barbara Jeppe and Graham Duncan.

From the foreword by Dr John Rourke, Kirstenbosch. 'Along the western margin of southern Africa lies a relatively narrow expanse of land encompassing the south-western Cape and Namaqualand. It is here that one of the richest, most diverse and colourful bulbous floras of the world has evolved. Sandwiched between the blistering plains of the Karoo and the icy waters of the South Atlantic the whole region experiences a Mediterranean-type climate where hot, dry summers of desiccating dormancy alternate with mild winters when the rain falls and growth begins again, culminating in stupendous outbursts of flowering in spring. This is the realm of 'Cape Bulbs' as these plants were popularly known to European gardeners in past centuries.'