Synopses & Reviews
Father John L. Fiala devoted 10 years to this book, a unique treatise that is both a scholarly monograph and a personal tribute to the beauty of lilacs. Since going out of print, it has become almost impossible to obtain at a reasonable price. Sometime in the future a revision and expansion of his work will appear, but in the meantime we have released this facsimile paperback reprint in response to extraordinary demand. It includes the 398 color photographs from the first edition and makes Fr. Fiala's work again accessible.
Review
"If you decide to cut back the deciduous moster that looms over your side yard, consult
Lilacs: the Genus Syringa. This is the standard work on lilacs."
—Verlyn Klinkenborg, New York Times Book Review, June 2, 2002 New York Times Book Review
Review
"His exuberant affection for both gardeners and lilacs and his authoritative voice make this tome of information a kind of intimate, learned travel guide through the heady world of lilacs."
—Anne Raver, New York Times, January 18, 2002 The New York Times
Review
"[D]o not let the encyclopedic nature of the book intimidate you--this is no dry read...For the cultivar descriptions, the accompanying photos, the updated taxonomic treatment, and the history and tales, this is a book that belongs on every lilac lover's bookshelf."
Synopsis
Father John L. Fiala devoted 10 years to this book, a unique treatise that is both a scholarly monograph and a personal tribute to the beauty of lilacs. This facsimile paperback reprint includes the 398 color photographs from the first edition and makes Fr. Fiala's work again accessible.
Synopsis
Father John Fiala devoted ten years to this book, a unique treatise that is both a scholarly monograph and a personal tribute to the beauty of lilacs.
About the Author
John L. Fiala (1924-1990) introduced 78 lilac cultivars, wrote a definitive encyclopedia on lilacs, and founded the International Lilac Society. He significantly improved the color and performance of these plants. For his hybridizing achievements he was awarded the Thomas Roland Medal in 1980 by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.