Page 30 - Fourways Gardens September 2021

Book Review

SOUTH AfRICAN SpECTACULAR

B y James cL a R ke

nother exquisite volume has South Africa. Many are found only in remote
been added to South Africa’s and difficult spots. Such an example is at a
mushrooming array of natural remote site in Mpumalanga where a rare
Ahistory books. This latest, species grows and to which the Saunders
Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South climbed six times yet still failed to find it in
Africa, is a 400-page, high quality volume flower. Many species flower only after a veld
dedicated to this country’s unrivalled fire, or only when a certain amount of rain
variety of a certain flower – the gladiolus. occurs at a critical time.
The genus first captivated the world of
botany in the mid-1600s when Europe’s first In addition to the hundreds of photographs,
plant hunters began combing the world for illustrations and botanical information, the
plants that would interest science and wow book carries some excellent introductory
gardeners. contributions by world-renowned plant
hunters.
As long ago as the beginning of the 1700s,
gladioli from southern Africa were being Their book was published posthumously,
introduced into many European gardens for the couple was abducted and murdered
and botanical collections, especially in in KZN in 2018.
Holland and Britain.
The profusely illustrated book is a Part of the book’s fascination is to see the
There are today at least 270 known species monument to a fascinating couple – Rod original native plants and compare them
of them in the world – 166 are found in and Rachel Saunders who set out, years ago, with the ‘glads’ we have today after four
South Africa. to photograph every species of gladioli in centuries of hybridisation.

Rod and Rachel Saunders photographed every species of gladioli in South Africa Gladiolus debilis, Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladioli of South Africa, page 315

Gladiolus microcarpus, Saunders’ Field Guide Gladiolus delpierrei, Saunders’ Field Guide to Gladiolus ornatus Spear shaped, Saunders’ Field
to Gladioli of South Africa, page 64 Gladioli of South Africa, page 354 Guide to Gladioli of South Africa, page 321

Fourways Gardens • 28 • September 2021