2 comments about Encyclopedia of Perennials: A Gardener's Guide.

1. Each time I need information about a perennial, I find this book has a listing for that plant. I can't say that about any other perennial reference book that I have used.



2. Anyone who loves perennial plants should own at least one perennial plant encyclopedia. I highly recommend this 'Encyclopedia of Perennials' by Christopher Woods. This book does not concentrate on pictures, although there are enough photographs to give you an idea of what at least one plant species in each genus looks like.
   
   The listing for each plant genus includes information about cultivation, landscape use, and propagation. After each genus listing, the book offers a wealth of information about the many plant species within each genus of plants. Information for each species includes the common name, the plant's origin, height and spread, description, and zone hardiness. Many cultivars (cultivated varieties of a species of plant) are also listed and described.
   
   As an example, after the general information about Penstemon, seven species are listed and described. One of the species entries reads:
   "P. digitalis. Eastern United States. Height 3 ft; spread 2 ft (90 x 60 cm). An erect, clump-forming plant native to open meadows, with elliptic to broadly lance-shaped basal leaves becoming narrower and smaller up on the flower stem. Spikes of bell-shaped, white flowers sometimes flushed pink are produced in early summer. This is a variable species. 'Husker Red' has purple-red leaves, red stems, and white-flushed purple flowers and is a highly desirable cultivar. In general, this species and its cultivar are far easier to grow in hot and humid climates than their western relatives. Zones 3 - 9."
   
   I enjoy the author's style. Christopher Woods provides no-nonsense descriptions, such as his warning about the Houttuynia: "An effective but sometimes ugly groundcover for wet sites, where it can become almost impossible to eradicate. Be warned!"
   
   I have found 'Encyclopedia of Perennials' to be an excellent source of information. More than once, it has prevented me from purchasing a plant with which I would not be happy, and it has also encouraged me to seek out plants that otherwise, I would have passed by!

3 comments about The Explorer's Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials.

1. A well researched, well thought out guide to some wonderful plants that, to quote the author's witty prose, should be on a good many gardener's 'lust list'. Good photography, HONEST descriptions of the plant (without 'catalog-ese') and cultural information all add to a fine addition to the hort books out there.



2. This is an excellent book. Dan Hinkley is a funny and engaging writer and speaker. I highly recommend this for the gardener who appreciates subtle yet beautiful flowers and foliage. Many of the plants that he discusses are from Asia where he has travelled extensively. The book is a great companion to the thick Heronswood Nursery catalog and web site since it has a number of photos. Dan discusses care and propagation of the plants as well.



3. This book does what it aims to very well: it describes (and includes photos of) some very unusual plants. However, please be aware that many of these plants do not have mass appeal; that is why, after all, they are still rare and unusual, rather than having been picked up by your local garden centers.

   I found myself using this book mostly as a specific adjunct to the Heronswood Nursery catalogue, looking up some photos and cultural information for a few of the plants listed in the catalogue. If this is YOUR intended use, please be aware that you may be able to get this information for a lot less money by just using Heronswood's website, now that it is expanded to include a good variety of plant photos.

No comments about The Gardener's Peony.

No comments about Alpine Plants: Ecology for Gardeners.

5 comments about Heucheras and Heucherellas: Coral Bells and Foamy Bells.

1. Only downside to this book is that most do not specify location i.e. sun / shade. And their is no zone reference.



2. Dan Heims and Grahame Ware's Heucheras and Heucherellas is a superior gardening book for sophisticated and professional gardeners alike. Why? Because in this 208 page book everything you want to know about these two genera are described in great detail. The book grabs you right off by showing over 55 pages of superior colored photographs in alphabetical order. How clever. Usually colored photographs are in the middle of a book. But not here. With the result that you want to dash out to your nearest nursery and find all of the plants depicted. This is followed by a series of chapters on Heucheras in the wild and the citations found in old publications, a list of all the species and their descriptions, how to hybridize this intriguing genus and very practical advise on how to use the new cultivars in the landscape. What is not to like about this book. Try finding a comprehensive list of all species and cvs on the Web. Good luck. This book has it all. It appeals to the professional horticulturist and the avid amateur, who often is as informed as the professional. For those gardeners who are beginners, I say read this book and enrich yourself with horticultural knowlegde. Soon botanic names, mentionings of hybrids, tetraploids, and other botanical lingo will seem as familiar to you as how to make a bechamel sauce recipe in a cookbook. My one criticism would be the chapter on the discovery of the genera. The language seemed very stiff in contrast with the informal tone of the rest of the book. It was almost like foot notes of someone's thesis. So take the time to Google some of the plant hunters mentioned and you will be very much intrigued by the incredible hardships many of them endured. A small criticism as the book does not deal with that subject matter. Since the publication of this book new cvs have been introduced to the trade. But that should not stop you from treasuring this book. It has all the fundamentals in place and the name of another cv you can always add to the index in the back of the book. So 5 stars it is.



3. I was very pleased with this book as it arrived with a new book cover which made it look brand new. Very nice indeed.



4. Cool book has some color photos of types. some ways to propigate them and who cultivated certain ones. fun book to sit and read.



5. This is a good book, particularly because when it came out, it was the first, and these authors are committed to advancing heucheras in the garden. I am biased, as I crave anything on the subject. I would have given it a higher star, but will wait until I have read the other book on the subject. It has nice photos, and good descriptions of the varieties, and great tips on propigation--which I have used successfully! Buy the book and propigate your heuchs in the spring. I hope this is helpful, but if you like heucheras, you'll buy the book irrespective of what I'ved shared.

1 comments about Perennial Ground Covers.

1. Perennial Ground Covers is a great example of the high standards of Timber Press publishing of horticultural subjects. MacKenzie does an overall exceptional job at breaking down hundreds of species of both traditional and non-traditional groundcovers. Many of the plants included here are clever and reasonable additions to those that would normally be considered groundcovers, while some step over a few bounds, with no harm done nonetheless, to be included in this group. This reference book is best for those with just a little more than basic plant knowledge, but can be just as helpful for the beginner. It is refreshing in its approach that does not baby the reader as it does not assume they know nothing about plants at all. The breakdown of this book consists of an introduction, including an explanation on nomenclature, a section of plates of each groundcover included in the book, a non-picture section of species in alphabetical order, and an outstanding appendix of characteristics in table form for all of the plants included. One main drawback of the book is a lack of family names of species that have descriptions. This is where a grouping by relationship or by environmental conditions would be better than an alphabetical listing. I appreciate that the pictures were kept together in a separate section, rather than including them alongside each description. This makes for easier use for reference. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a reference for both groundcovers and perennials as two individual groups of plants.

1 comments about Perennials: Brighten Your Yard with Beautiful Perennials (Waterproof Books).

1. This book is great if you are lounging by a pool or the beach and want to read something that won't get ruined, but there just wasn't enough of the book there... Not enough variety of perennials. I love the concept of a waterproof book, but it just lacked more information that would have made it a better buy.

1 comments about Irises.

1. This book is very helpful for anything you need to know about raising Irises. In the first few minutes of reading it I realized my Irises had a fungal disease and I was able to treat them and save them before it was too late. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Irises.

No comments about Dahlias (Little Plant Library).

4 comments about Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide.

1. For such a widely heralded group of plants, hellebores have always suffered from a dearth of supporting literature. Many of the best books are out-of-print and nearly impossible to find. The few volumes available approach the genus from a decidely European vantage point. This book solves both problems -- delivering comprehensive information applicable to a North American audience. Almost all chapters are well-researched and written in a scholarly tone. Quality photographs supplement the text. The book pays tribute to the European influence on raising hellebores to their current lofty position, but at the same time ample attention is devoted to American contributors and the peculiarities of U.S. growing conditions. My one qualm is the book's lack of focus on a major trend in future hybrid hellebore development, namely the mass production of superior named clones (such as doubles) via tissue culture. Barry Glick at Sunshine Farm and Gardens (competition for Tyler's Pine Knot??) is a leader in this effort. Despite this minor flaw, the book is destined to become a standard work consulted by horticulturists for years to come.



2. Hellebores and the Humans Who Love Them
   
   This book is the story of hellebores, and the humans who love them. In Great Britain it is about Good King John and the Knights of Ashwood, breeding to the highest standards of beauty. It is about Brian, the Earl of Taxon, smitten as a boy who "...found a hybrid of the H. orientalis type on a rubbish tip..." But now, a little hellebore hate has crept in because "...there is no foolproof system of classification." And there is Will, the Dark Lord of Phedar refusing to bow to the "horticultural elite", refusing to write their "pap". On his own path, he has "...spread hellebores throughout the world."
   
   The Queen Mother's Strangman and Ballard, who "...provided a wide, firm base upon which breeders have built." Now Lord Robin of Blackthorn, Sir Kevin of Ashwood and their plants have "...set a new standard for H x hybridus."
   
   In the United States are the Tyler's of Southern Virginia and the O'Byrne's of The Pacific Northwest, with Sir Colston holding court as he preaches around the country.
   
   This book is the story of the care and patience, the worry and work that these people, and many more, have given to the hellebores.
   
   And what have the hellebores given us in return? Let's start with blazing, dazzling color, at a time of year when it can be leisurely appreciated. Let's move on to the subtle colors of red, silver and chartreuse on leaves, veins, buds, stems and stalks. They freely offer us their seeds. They grow in dry shade, are long lived, and usually they scoff at the deer and voles that come sniffing around. They make an almost perfect group of plants for the home garden where I live in Durham, North Carolina.
   
   After years of collecting, growing and breeding hellebores the authors have given us this book, not just their experience but the experience of dozens over time. This book gives voice to an entire community. It took a global village to raise the hellebores. And raise it they did, from horticultural obscurity to perennial plant of the year.
   
   Authenticity reigns throughout this book. From history and taxonomy through the species, hybrids, propagation, breeding, growing, design, and even cut flower information, the authors write from their own experience or the direct experience of others.
   
   Are there flaws in the book? Of course there are. Anyone wanting to read my notes entitled, " Flaws, nitpicky and otherwise," are free to email me at [...] and I will share them readily. Seriously.
   
   My only complaint for this review is that Richard Tyler's name is not on the front of the book, because his photos, as well as his considerable heart and soul, fill the inside pages.
   
   If you want to learn more about this magnificent tribe we call hellebores, and the magnificent people who love them, then buy this book.



3. The information in this book helped me add hellebores to my garden. I shared this book with my neighbor and she fell in love with the plant - This book explains and guides you with caring for this wonderful plant!



4. At last, a superb book on Hellebores, beautifully illustrated and lots of useful contacts. Highly recommended. John Geddes Head Gardener Brynkinalt Hall u.k.