Books are in bloom and evidence of that can be found at the Adult Library and Island bookstores as the Garden Club of Bermuda's new offering, "Bermuda: A Gardener's Guide" has hit the shelves.

Thinking about becoming the next Martha Stewart? Or just tired of seeing that area behind the back of the house overgrown with weeds?

The Garden Club has published an updated version of the much beloved “Bermuda Jubilee Garden Book”.

Club members told The Royal Gazette the book is perfectfor both novice and advanced gardeners.

The new version was edited and compiled by George Ogden, the former horticulturist for the City of Hamilton, and Betsey Mowbray, a former president of the Garden Club.

It is an updated instalment of the original published in 1972.

“We didn't want to replace the Jubilee book, we're just following on with the past garden book to make it just a little more user friendly,” said Mrs. Mowbray.

The 1972 edition has been “the” source for the past 30 years for many gardeners, Mr. Ogden said, as well as a best-seller among visitors who to take it home as a souvenir.

But the revised edition brings an up-to-date and in-depth look at plants specific to Bermuda as well as an improved format.

While, the book could not possibly include all the plant life that inhabits the Island, Mr. Ogden said it includes plants that are available and will thrive, with proper care, locally.

An avid gardener, Mr. Ogden was recently awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal from The Royal Horticultural Society in London.

The Veitch Memorial Medal was presented to Mr. Ogden for his contribution to Bermuda and his 40 years of work as the Horticulturist and Parks Superintendent for the City of Hamilton. In 1992 he also received the Queen's Certificate and badge of honour for the “Beautification of Hamilton”.

“Betsey and I worked on this book for about six years putting in many hours to prepare it,” said the avid gardener.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Mrs. Mowbray's love of gardening and colourful photographs of Bermuda's botanicals, the new edition should be useful and appreciated by many.

In addition to being on sale in local bookstores, it can also be found in the public library. Wednesday, Garden Club president Sally Gibbons presented a copy of the new book to head librarian Joann Brangman.

“We've compiled the directory so that plants can be looked up by their common or popular name and the botanical name so there is no need to know both names in order to find information about the plant. It makes it much easier for research,” Ms Gibbons said of the new format.