5 comments about Japanese Maples.

1. THE reference book on Japanese maples. Excellent information and pictures. Very usual for my purposes in selecting trees to fit my property and conditions.



2. A very informed and illustrated book with almost every 300+ cultivar imaginable. Also gives cultivar no longer cultivated, with all the names of cultivar including many misnames used and cultivar which have been produced which are not confirmed or are instable. The book has a detail list of species in brief form for quick reference when planting of considering cultivar.I look forward to the updated with the newer cultivar.
   The only thing lacking is more detail on growing and producing cultivar. eg.grafting,cutting, and pruning, etc which you have to get from other texts.



3. Though I have not digested the entire volume yet, I am constantly consulting its pages. As a fairly novice collector of these plants, I have found this book to be indespinsable. The introduction of new cultivars as well as many new photographs make volume three a superior reference.



4. This is a great book with excellent pictorials and information on Japanese Maples. I would highly recommend it.



5. If you want to know about Japanese Maples this is the first book to buy. It is full of great information and wonderful pictures that cover the gamut of all the important cultivars. Well bound and tough as a reference book needs to be. But beware. This book can hook you, and you may, as I did, wind up spending several thousand dollars on these wonderful plants!

3 comments about Building Bamboo Fences.

1. "Building Bamboo Fences" is beautifully illustrated with 31 pages of full color pictures and a fairly decent how to section about how to build them. One thing I do not like though is the books organization. There is a section of pictures and a section on history and a section illustrating construction technique. The book would be much more readable if these sections were mixed (i.e. the color pictures should be near the relivant history and how to illustrations. There needs to be a section discussing the different varieties and how and where to grow them. Bamboo grows nearly anywhere in the US, but tropical varieties are more rot resistant. There also needs to be a section on tools. Thin bladed knives are useless to split bamboo, but you would not get this from reading the book. And, where do you get tools and bamboo cultivars? It is not in the book...



2. "Building Bamboo Fences" has all the information you will need to build your own bamboo fence. Additionally, Mr. Yoshida has included a brief history of bamboo fences in Japan, a complete glossary of terms and many beautiful color photographs for inspiration. Fence diagrams range from simple see-through fences to more complex bamboo screening fences. The diagrams, techniques, and instructions for building different types of bamboo fences are clear, complete, easy to follow and even include tips on how to correct any problems you may have in construction. I turned an open work bamboo fence diagram into a trellis for my climbing rose bush in one afternoon. Whether you are looking to build simple edgings for garden paths or a full-screen fence - this is the book to use.



3. This is a Great book for bamboo lovers. Especially if you have access to the waste branches .I can't wait to do more with those! The more ideas here you try....the more the fever grips you.....Possiblities endless!
   Lots of pictures with great informative diagrams, inspiratinal ideas and plans as well as info on how to harvest and preserve poles. I like to fire harden....but watch out for explosions!
   One of the 2 best bamboo books I have seen. The other one is in Spanish

2 comments about Serene Gardens: Creating Japanese Design and Detail in the Western Garden.

1. Kawaguchi captures the essential elements of serenity and beauty in near perfect balance with the `how-to' hinted at in the subtitle.

   The author succeeds in creating a book that is first and foremost a beautiful book, but also raises awareness as to the deeper consciousness of Japanese garden design. This is not a Readers Digest Gardening Guide, with silly pictures and numbered steps. Instead she takes you on journey, leading you to discover and to appreciate, as she unfolds the finer art with sensitivity. The book is beautifully illustrated, well designed and well constructed.

   Serene Gardens first introduces the reader to the traditional Japanese garden, and then proceeds to demonstrate how plants, rocks, water and sand should be used in the garden. She discusses paths, bridges, and constructions like pergolas en fences - and provides clear instructions on how to construct these. In conclusion, the book ends with a brief plant directory, listing suitable plants, ranging from trees, grasses/bamboos, berries and aquatic plants. The list includes alternative, non-traditional plants.

   'Serene Gardens' works on the coffee table as well as in the garden. It is a book that can be enjoyed, as the garden itself is enjoyed.




2. I have checked out many books on Japanese gardening in the past ten years and this is my favorite. Includes design details and plant lists and the photos are gorgeous. You won't be sorry.

3 comments about Create Your Own Japanese Garden: A Practical Guide.

1. This is an excellent book for those of us wishing to create their own Japanese style garden. There are numerous explanations and detailed instructions for creating various elements that are not described in most books on this subject. I can't wait for Spring to begin.



2. Although this is a nice book, it is not as good as the reviews led me to believe. The attractive photos focus on primarily a few gardens that the author himself has made. In at least a couple of cases, the gardens were built where cars had been parked. I kept wondering where the cars went. I am sure the owners did not get rid of them.
   The book has been praised for telling readers how to build elements of the gardens. This is true for a few fences and such in the featured gardens. However, I am sure other books in my collection have more information about building more things.



3. Love this great book! Motomi Oguchi's first in English!
   I have it displayed like a coffee table book, and relish over as a tresure I can disappear away into... Our tropically themed yard that has unparralled panoramic views offering one perfection longings of West, North and East will be comlimented and made more elegant with some Japanese themes running the spine of our yard... Japanese rock walkways, lit gracefully with stone lanturns... Something permanent in this ever un-permanent world. Yes, the true escape is home...
   Love the details in this book and strict attention to tradition.
   Lot's of photo's!!!
   "Domo", Motomi Oguchi for your wonderful agricultural gifts...
   I will be checking out Joseph Cali's new books, also.

5 comments about A Japanese Touch for Your Garden.

1. This book contains wonderful pictures and offers many ideas for a Japanese style garden or balcony.



2. The title of this book is a bit misleading, in that it does not offer tips on adding a "Japanese touch" to your existing garden, but rather goes about explaining how to create a Japanese-style garden in the space available to you. In this manner, it is an extremely capable guide and leaves you with the confidence that you can accomplish building your own Japanese-style garden.
   
   "A Japanese Touch for Your Garden" tells both the basic elements of a Japanese garden; rocks, plants, water, artificial elements, and also provides a blueprint for laying out and constructing a garden using these elements. Although packed with lovely pictures, the book is straight-forward and bare-boned, giving you the essentials of what you need. The authors briefly touches upon garden philosophy and such, but acknowledges that there are other, thicker books for the esoteric matters and they will focus on the practical.
   
   The different sections of the book deal with things such as stone lanterns, bamboo fences, bridges, plants and trees...basically everything you will need. The focus is one how to select and use these available elements for the existing space you have to work with, and how to maximize them for the effect you want to achieve. The rear of the book also contains a guide of Japanese gardens in the US that you can visit, and suppliers of the various items you may want for your garden.
   
   An excellent book, it is exactly what you need if there is a spare portion of your house or yard where you would like to put a Japanese garden. For a more deeper, spiritual look at Japanese gardens, look elsewhere. But to be inspired and begin construction on your own "World in Miniature," this is the place to start.



3. I think people have "japanese" gardens or any other type of garden but they for example don't have like english garden with a japanese touch. I don't have this book and i will not buy it, because i want a JAPANESE garden nor mexican-japanese-english-french or anything else garden



4. This book shows how to use essential elements such as rocks, plants, laterns, and boulders etc., within a space. The diagrams in the book illustrated how to use those elements to balance and compensate each other and make your garden looks much bigger and more appealing to the viewers.
   
   A great book to read before you start your weekend garden project. This book will give you inspiration and give your spirit alift. I built my Japanese Rock Garden after reading this book and other book that I bought "Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens". A great garden will add value to your home so did my garden -- a friend of mine who is a realestate appraiser told me that I must added about $30,000 to my property although I spent only about $5000 on the materials.
   
   Highly recommanded for anyone who are interested about Japanese Garden or do it youself gardener!!!!!



5. this book is a good accompanyment to other Japanese gardening books. Definitely not to decorate a coffee table, but to practically show one options (various bridges, paths, fencing, ponds, etc) that one can incorporate into their garden for a japanese feel. I especially liked the detailed garden sketch at the end of the book showing an example of what to plant where. I would have assumed much fewer plants from the pictures than what the author sketched in. This will come in extremely helpfully come planting time!

4 comments about Japanese Gardens in a Weekend: Projects for One, Two or Three Weekends (In a Weekend).

1. A great run down on the essentials in a Japanese garden. From plants to design and bamboo. A great book for how-to water features and more. A great book.



2. I love japanese gardens but this is not so easy. Great pictures and great ideas but I'm not very handy. I wish it was made a bit easier to follow. Some supplies are not easy to find in my area. But great ideas anyway.



3. I'm not much of a gardener and it figures that I'd choose to want one of the more difficult types of gardens to design. This book presents different projects in an easy to understand format. It lists the supplies, types of plants and spells out how to carry out each project step by step. You may need other references too but this one is a good book to have. Good illustrations too.



4. The projects look amazing and I hope they will be easy for me to complete. I am thrilled with the directions and photos.

5 comments about Niwaki: Pruning, Training and Shaping Japanese Garden Trees.

1. There is a real need for good book on this subject in English. Unfortunately, this is not that book. Many of the examples shown are of very poorly pruned or over pruned trees and shrubs. The author seem to proceed from assumption that because an example can be found in Japan it is inherently good work but this simply is not true. Avoid this book, it is filled with misinformation.



2. I found this book to be just what I was looking for to reshape some current garden plants (hollies, pines) and plenty of inspiration to buy more to shape more fully in these styles. I wish there were more books in English discussing Niwaki, but I feel much more confident now than I did last week, and convinced my husband to let me prune away on the plants!



3. I have been professionally pruning Japanese garden style trees for a long time. This is the first book that really captures what needs to be done and explains how the trees react to pruning. Aesthetic pruning is a mix between science and art. This book shows great detail of the techniques that are hard to teach.
   
   Scott Solomonson
   Living Space Landscapes Inc
   Minnesota



4. if you are really interested in japanese gardening this is the must book.This type of information you don't find from other books.
   Jari Laakkonen, Finland



5. My husband wanted this book because we have started a large oriental garden. It explains turning plants into Japanese artisist sculpture. It enlightens you to whats going on and why. This is a very good "how to" book.

5 comments about Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens (Ortho's All About Gardening).

1. This book is one of the best I ever buy about gardening and landscaping. The pictures alone worth the price.
   They gives details to build your garden, makes pounds and falls and it seems so easy that I am starting my own right now.

   They also list the kind of trees and plants to uses.

   Buy this book with confidence.




2. I got this book from the library and was pleasantly surprised at the details and useful, practical advice on conceiving and executing a japanese garden. The book contains detailed instructions on how to lay out, build, select plans for, and maintain a Japanese-inspired garden. It talks about rocks, rock gardening, ponds, water plants and fish, paths, stepping stones, gates, and plants and plant selections. I found it really helpful in getting ideas to give to our landscape architect. I would recommend this book for anyone that is going to actually build (rather than just enjoy looking at pictures of) a japanese garden.



3. I've always wanted to have a Japanese Garden but never got around to doing it. I picked up this book at the library and, WOW, it has really inspired me! Not only am I now drafting up plans to turn a corner of my yard into a Japanese Garden but I showed it to a neighbor and he's thinking of making his backyard into something like the courtyard garden on page 20. I'll probably get a library of books on Japanese Gardening but this book will be the first one I'll buy.



4. The book is easy to read and explains the whole concept of Japanese gardening. I learned with it and will be using it to plan my Japanese garden. Very pleased customer!



5. I bought serveral books about creating Japanese gardens. This book by far the best one that I had. I built a Japanese style Rock Garden so I don't have to mow my lawn. My back yard is built based on some of the pictures and tips I read from this book. The fun part is that you put in your hard work and built the garden you wanted which pays off when your guests give you thumb up. I spent about $5000 on the materials and hours of my own labor on the project. Now I can spent my weekend golfing instead of mowing my lawn. Ouch! My back still hurting from all the hardwork.

4 comments about The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai.

1. This is a fine work on Advanced Techniques for the Bonsai enthusiast, in particular giving full particulars on specialty tools and pruning shears in Bonsai Culture. It is kind of surprising the great tips one can get, from just the one paragraph tips that the authors son added after his father death. Very concise and precise is a great summary for this book.



2. The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai An understandable, complete book on Bonsai .



3. In short, my opinion is that this is an excellent book if you are serious about bonsai and would like to get started, or to complement your knowledge from other books.
   
   Before I purchased this book, I checked out several books from my local library. Some books seem to show many pictures of finished bonsai without really getting into details and I feel as if I still don't have the knowledge to even start on a bonsai. This book is a bit more helpful with step-by-step pictures from repotting to pruning, diagrams of undesirable branches, and methods of propagation.
   
   There is a lot of information in this book that I read in this book that other books brush by, but I found helpful to me. Without a doubt, it is important to read different books because each author has their own views on certain issues.
   
   Other books that you might want to look into are "Bonsai (101 Essential Tips)" by Harry Tomlinson and "The Bonsai Workshop" by Herb Gustafson.



4. This is a great little book for the beginner because it explains everything simply but thoroughly.

5 comments about Bonsai (101 Essential Tips).

1. Perfect book for the beginer or someone who is curious about Bonsai. Excelent pictures and very convienent size.



2. This was a good book for getting ideas and then going to the web for more research. A great introduction. I thought it could have been a little more detailed so I gave it a 4. Worth it for those doing bonsai with little and no experience.



3. I expected more info on techniques, however for the begginer it is OK start. Some good pictures to show how to trim, prune etc your beloved bonsai baby.



4. I just bought my first bonsai tree,This book is so helpful.The shipping was very fast.It is packed full of information and lovely pictures.It has great tips for your tree and great ideals.It also gave me information on others bonsai trees i will be trying next..



5. This was a good beginner book for my husband when we bought our first bonsai, although we wish there was more descriptions on trimming it and how much water to give it. We think we have some sort of ficus bonsai, but couldn't find it in the book, so we're hoping what we are doing will keep it alive! Good tips on most aspects of keeping them thriving.