Books on Natives - Any recommendations?

[Jason]

Hey all,

I'm looking to try and learn more about natives... as much as I possibly can, but am struggling to find any decent reading matieral. There is just so much out there, that I am confused as to which are considered quality books, and which are not worth the time

I'm hoping to find something based on Melaleuca's, which currently hold my attention, but I really can't seem to find anything other then general native books... of which there are a lot. What I can find though, is too expensive, 'Bottlebrushes, paperbarks & tea trees' by John W Wrigley & Murray Fagg is $200ish for example

Does anyone have any reccomended reading on natives? Even if it isn't Mel. specific, I'd just be happy with a quality native books.

Appreciate any replies as always

ps. I've got all the koreshoff books bar the large one

[Pup]

Hi Jason most of the good books are out of print so they are expensive. The Bonsai Society of WA have the book you refer to by Wrigley and Fagg, in their library.

There is a book by George Lullfitz, called a new image for west Australian plants.

Another specific to Melaleucas by Ivan Holliday a field guide to Melaleucas, again out of print.
You could try to get them through Serendipity Books in Leederville, they chase out of print and rare books.

Cheers Pup

Ps it is nice to have them

[matty-j]

hey pup the book you first mentioned by wrigley and fagg is the book called Australian Native Plants?

cheers
matt

[joannm]

I have just searched our clubs data base . out of 440 books & magazines , we only have" Bonsai with Australian Natives" by Dorothy & Vita Koreshoff.
so I would love to find others for our club as well .
Who's up to writing one ?

will also look to find reprints of those you have mentioned
lets hope one of us finds where to get them.

glad this topic came up
joann

[Pup]

hey pup the book you first mentioned by wrigley and fagg is the book called Australian Native Plants?

cheers
matt

This Book is called, Bottlebrushes Paperbarks & Tea Trees,
and all other plants in the Leptospermum alliance.

ISBN0 207 16867 9

published by Angus and Robertson.

The other is, A Field Guide To
Melaleucas By Ivan Holliday
By Hamlyn Australia
ISBN0 947334 09 2

[Jason]

Ps it is nice to have them

hahaha now thats not fair

Thankyou so much Pup, was hoping you would know a few Just put an order in for the Lullfitz book, I had no idea that they even had one! Been itching to visit one of their nurseries for a while now.

Have only just signed up to the society (had a bit of trouble with my app going walkies ), and am really looing for to checking out whats in the libary

[Jason]

I have just searched our clubs data base . out of 440 books & magazines , we only have" Bonsai with Australian Natives" by Dorothy & Vita Koreshoff.
so I would love to find others for our club as well .
Who's up to writing one ?

will also look to find reprints of those you have mentioned
lets hope one of us finds where to get them.

glad this topic came up
joann

I'm in the process of building my collection, so will let you know if I come across any places that are stocking them

Just picked up a few old copies of "Bonsai Down Under" today although they were just from a private seller, not a store

hey pup the book you first mentioned by wrigley and fagg is the book called Australian Native Plants?

cheers
matt

Have seen that one around a bit, but its different to the one Pup has mentioned that one is quite old, but from what I've heard, a very good read

[Newbie.mia]

When I run into trouble finding info about my natives I go to the native plant society website and can usually track books and other web links from there, if you hadn't already thought of it happy hunting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Graeme]

Len Webber wrote a pretty good book on Rainforrest trees, if you can find it.

[miyagiman]

It might be a challenge for the new native bonsai club to take on, and collate info, someone could then figure how to put it into a book form. There is so much info retained in native enthusiasts heads that people don't realise, that would fill more than a book or two. just a thought to seeding ideas for the future, what with all the computerised communication these days it just might be possible. There is also probably enough info floating in the AUSBONSAI site for someone to piece it all together (with moderators permissions). The info is all there, it just needs sweeping into one pile. I'm no expert folks, just my two bobs worth, miyagiman.

[GavinG]

The call went out a year or so ago to combine the information from Roger Hnatiuk's ASGAP Native Plants As Bonsai Group, and all the assorted information from Ausbonsai, and put it all together as a book or website. Since then, both sources have been combed and analysed, and I've interviewed a number of experienced growers to fill in the gaps, and take detailed photos of their collections. I've also been taking photos in the wild of interesting trees, shapes, textures, colours and the like. An extensive section on Eucalypts as Bonsai is onto its final draft, and will hopefully make it to this website soonish.

Gavin

[marcela]

Hi Jason,
Have you tried your Botanical Gardens gift shop? The last time I was at the Melbourne one they had quite a good source of Natives books, obviously nothing as bonsai with natives but a good variety though. I haven't been to the Cranbourne Gardens yet but would think that they would also have a fair selection of books.
Miyagiman, your suggestion has been taken on board, let's hope our Native club will be a wealth of knowledge to everyone involved and interested in our fabulous Native trees. Not long now, 2 weeks to go.
Regards,
Marcela

[miyagiman]

That is fantastic news Gavin, should be a great source of information for all concerned. Thank you for your concerted efforts, I spoke with a native enthusiast yesterday who told me of your work. My idea is now old hat and at an advanced stage nearing some publication. miyagiman.

[Jason]

The call went out a year or so ago to combine the information from Roger Hnatiuk's ASGAP Native Plants As Bonsai Group, and all the assorted information from Ausbonsai, and put it all together as a book or website. Since then, both sources have been combed and analysed, and I've interviewed a number of experienced growers to fill in the gaps, and take detailed photos of their collections. I've also been taking photos in the wild of interesting trees, shapes, textures, colours and the like. An extensive section on Eucalypts as Bonsai is onto its final draft, and will hopefully make it to this website soonish.

Gavin

That is GREAT news Gavin, I had no idea Am kind of excited now!!

I was in the same mind as Miyagiman, wondering how this wealth of info could possibly be collated into a more compressed/simple format.

It seems like you're on the home stretch, but if there is any help I can offer I'd be more then happy to

[Boics]

IMO nothing beats a good book to hold in ones hand to read and refer.

Having said this I do believe the Wiki to be a great source of information and an even better place to document findings.
We should try to use this more and more often.
It's not hard.