It is one of my gardening regrets that I discovered the wonderful lush, sculptural hosta very late in life. However, once I did discover them and started to appreciate fully how I could use the hosta to complement other plants in the garden, their versatility and just how good they looked in pots – there was no stopping me.

I was, therefore, delighted to see ‘The New Encyclopedia of Hostas’ by Diana Greenfell and Michael Shadrack - a book that no lover of the hosta will want to be without.

In this second edition of the book, Diana has fully revised and updated the entries with the best new cultivars and Michael Shadrack has illustrated the entries with excellent photographs.

Diana describes more than 700 cultivated hostas arranged according to leaf colour and type which makes it very easy to identify plants and find suggestions for companion planting.

In his foreward to the ‘The New Encyclopedia of Hostas’, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, warmly welcomes the publication of such a comprehensive book written by a leading expert on the genus.

The encyclopedia really is a wonderful reference work covering not only Hostas in the Wild, but Cultivation and Propagation, Best Hostas for Different Purposes and Sources of Hostas, both in the UK and Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Canada.

Each entry gives a description of the hosta, its size and origin. Cultivation notes are included and distinguishing features. I was also pleased to see the inclusion of such a comprehensive section on miniature and very small hostas which are steadily increasing in popularity.

Also included is a section on hostas for connoisseurs, which will delight the real hosta aficionados.

Diana is co-founder of the British Hosta and Hermerocallis Society and is a life member of the American Hosta Society.

All who appreciate hostas will value the depth and scope of this essential reference and use it time and again to help with plant selection and identification and to inspire new plantings.

‘The New Encyclopedia of Hostas’ by Diana Grenfell and Michael Shadrack, is published by Timber Press and is available at £35.00 – US$49.95 - or purchase online at Amazon.co.uk for £20.75 (as going to print.)