#georgiannalane

Daffodils book, prize draw winner

/ karen / 4 Comments

Thank you for reading my review of Daffodils by Naomi Slade. The winner of the prize draw copy is Cathy from https://wordsandherbs.Wordpress.com.

The book is published by Pavilion/ Harper Collins UK who kindly offered a spare copy to give away in a prize draw.

Narcissus Viridi

The author highlighted 60 different varieties, including this striking viridiflorus seedling propagated by WF Lee and and raised by Manuel Lima. Images are provided by one of the world’s leading floral and garden photographers, Georgianna Lane.

Pink Paradise

Pink Paradise is another variety that stands out in the book. “Ivory white double petals that form the basis of this flower would be unassuming enough, were it not for the immoderate presence of rogue petaloid segments that have stuffed and wedged their frilly selves in between more modest neighbours.”

Lilac Charm

“The white petals are elegantly reflexed due to the flower’s Cyclamineus heritage and their waxy, rather than papery substance comes from a crystalline finish, giving the flowers a gleaming, sparkling quality. The snout is similarly shapely, with a prominent, slightly flared funnel, ribbed along its length with a kicked-back frill to the end; forming a cylinder that is pistachio-green at the very base before becoming a pale yellow-peach followed by a rapid transition to a pale and lovely lavender pinkish hue.” Lilac charm was bred by Brian Duncan in Ireland. It’s a fantastic and eye-catching variety for the show bench, the garden and for cutting.

A double page spread from the book

In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful book of the year! I have the book open on different pages each day, set out on my kitchen table where it can brighten my day while I work.

I never fail to be delighted and amazed by the beauty of flowers and daffodils in particular are such a spring joy.

Congratulations to Cathy for winning the prize copy. There are many more books to follow. It seems a particularly good year for horticulture-themed books. And also free tickets for flower shows are coming up.

My review of Daffodils is here:

https://bramblegarden.com/2025/03/12/daffodils-by-naomi-slade/

Royal China

Daffodils by Naomi Slade

/ karen / 23 Comments

Book Review and giveaway.

Published by Pavilion/ Harper Collins

Photographs by Georgianna Lane

Hardback 240 pages. RRP £25

Published 13 March 2024

Can there ever be anything more cheerful than the first sign of daffodils in spring. I sigh with relief as soon as they emerge from the recently frozen, muddy ground. The worst of the winter is behind us. Spring is well and truly on the way. We have come through the cold, dark days and survived the winter once more.

Naomi Slade’s latest book is a joyful celebration of daffodils. Colour springs from every page with the wonderful photography of Georgianna Lane combined with the glorious descriptions by the award-winning author. It really is the kind of book you’d want to leave open on a different page every day. Just to gaze at the photographs and read Naomi’s words is like a balm.

Contents page

Naomi splits the daffodils into categories: charming and cheerful, ruffled and fluttering, demure and delicate, glorious and glowing. There are sections on the history of narcissus, as well as growing advice, and information on pests and diseases.

Excerpts from the book
Naomi describes 60 varieties with suggestions for planting, growing and cutting. The book would make a lovely gift for any fan of spring flowers, for gardeners, florists and collectors alike.
Actaea. One of my favourites.
Selected varieties are each given a page of description.
Delnashaugh – a large double cream and apricot variety. Ruffled and layered, makes a lovely flower for a vase or a bridesmaid’s posy.
Royal China. Introduced in 1997 by British grower Clive Postles. ‘The rounded petals present themselves in two overlapping layers, in a gentle shade of pearly white that sparkles subtly in the sunshine. The central corona, meanwhile, is exquisitely formed; ivory white along its length with a greenish yellow splash at the base and a crisp pink frill to the rim.”
Lilac Charm
Pink Paradise
Trigonometry
The ever-popular tete-a-tete
Katie Heath

Katie Heath is a muted palette of pink and cream. Lovely with willow twigs and catkins. “Named in honour of the mother of Brent Heath, who has himself found fame as one half of the well-known American bulb nursery duo that is Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.”

About the author and photographer

I can wholeheartedly recommend ‘Daffodils’ by Naomi Slade. It’s written in a cheerful, enthusiastic style with just the right amount of detail to answer all your questions.

Daffodils is the latest in a series written by a Naomi and photographed by Georgianna. Previously, I’ve reviewed Lilies, Dahlias, Ranunculus, and Chrysanthemums. There’s also Hydrangeas and Lilacs. This latest book is just as brilliant and inspiring as the others. A triumph again for this super talented duo!

Thank you for reading my blog. The publishers have kindly offered one copy to give away to readers. To be included in the prize draw, please leave a comment and your name below. Sorry, uk only. There’s no cash alternative and the publisher’s decision is final. The draw will be on Saturday 15th March 6pm. Please look back on Saturday to check if you have won. The prize will be redrawn on Sunday if there’s no reply from the winner.

I wrote about Lilies here:

https://bramblegarden.com/2021/05/25/lilies-book-review-and-giveaway/#:~:text=Stunning%20to%20look%20at%2C%20and,flowers%20reaching%20almost%20the%20roofline.

I wrote about Dahlias here:

https://bramblegarden.com/2018/06/24/dahlias-beautiful-varieties-for-home-and-garden/

Please remember to add your name at the end of comments as otherwise it comes out as ‘someone.’

Lilies: New Book Giveaway Winner

/ karen / 5 Comments

Many thanks to everyone who read my review of Naomi Slade’s new book, Lilies – beautiful varieties for home and garden. I wrote the review here: https://bramblegarden.com/2021/05/25/lilies-book-review-and-giveaway/

The winner is: Darran Jaques. Names were put into a random generator and computer selected.

The next book up for review and giveaway is the stunning and unusual The Flower Yard by Arthur Parkinson. Pages are full of exotic tulips and jewel-coloured dahlias and, it has to be said, lovely little bantam hens! Coming soon…

Meanwhile, here’s some more photos of lilies from Naomi’s book, as quite honestly one can’t have enough pictures of lilies to drool over. They are absolutely glorious. Enjoy your week everyone, and thanks for reading my blog and getting in touch. It’s always appreciated.

Lilium Mascara
Lilium African Queen

African Queen
Kuchibeni

Lilies is published by Pavilion RRP £25. Photographs by Georgianna Lane.