The new Mary Toomey Display Garden at Chalk Hill Clematis in Healdsburg is making California wine country noteworthy for growing something besides wine grapes. Heafey (the nursery's owner), Morgan (a floral designer behind the recent trend of clematis as cut flowers), and Lewis (a Berkeley-based photographer), present a pictorial history of the nursery. The dramatically displayed flowers should entice many to become clematophiles. The 10.5" square volume includes a foreword by the display garden's namesake; a glossary of some 300 varieties; recommended plants for cut flowers, color, container growing, partial shade, and connoisseurs; and a visual index. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Clematis, a type of flowering vine, is a favorite with flower-lovers due to its bright blues, purples, and magentas as well as its huge variety of shapes, hues, and blooming seasons. Chalk Hill Farms in Healdsburg, CA, grows over 80 varieties of premium clematis in open fields, and photos of the farm make a gorgeous backdrop for useful information on how to grow, cut, arrange, and care for this well-loved woody climber. Award-winning floral designer Ron Morgan provides inspiring arrangements.
