THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN PLECTRANTHUS

And the art of turning shade to glade.

176 pages, numerous illustrations throughout, purple cloth gilt, a good copy in the dust jacket. Slight yellowing on page edges.

The indigenous Plectranthus from the Southern forests and savannahs are among the gems of South African flora. They are also the answer to every gardener's dream in their natural ability to cope with difficult conditions, above all, shade. In this definitive account for gardeners, indigenous plant enthusiasts, botanists and plant lovers, Ernst van Jaarsveld brings together everything known about these plants and tells us how to grow them, while Vicki Thomas' delightful watercolours recreate their charm on the page. The book offers the reader a concise history of the origins of this plant group and deals with the use of Plectranthus as garden and indoor subjects, giving general horticultural advice that includes propagation and pot planting. The group's environmental adaptations, ethnic uses, natural reproduction and distribution in southern Africa are also covered, and a key simplifies the species' identification. Notes on each species explain the derivation of the botanical name and give a short description of the plant, including its flowering time, diagnostic features, habitat and cultivation.