Variegated Leaves

George Cohen

Conder stresses the ornamental value of leaves (rather than flowers). With two or more colors each, leaves encompass the entire spectrum of greens, as well as white, yellows, oranges, pinks, reds, purples, and beige. The number of various forms of leaf edgings is almost unlimited. Conder divides her book into chapters on annuals and biennials, tender plants, herbs, perennials, grasses, climbers, and trees and shrub, totaling nearly 700 plants. Each entry offers advice on cultivation and propagation, along with a reference table listing the plant's botanical family, height, spread, flowering time, exposure, and minimun temperature tolerance. Bits of historical folklore accompany each entry. Andrew Lawson's many color photographs are stunning.