5 comments about The Gardener's Iris Book.

1. With fabulous photography by Roger Foley et al, this is an indispensable reference on irises for newcomers to these flags or old-times iris lovers. All the essential care needed for a spectacular display of these moving flowers. The Gardener's Iris Book is a wonderful way to learn how to tend your new crop of these amazing & historic plants. This is a book I've often re-read, the information I keep gleaning comes just at the right time. END



2. My mother has found this book to be a very informative and helpful reference. When she started losing some of her plants to rot, the book explained what it was and how to treat it.



3. "The Gardener's Iris Book" describes itself as an introductory book for American gardeners. In my own experience, books about irises tend to fall into two categories: beautiful and fun to read, but not particularly useful or well-organized; and books that I can take out into the garden and actually use. This volume manages to straddle both categories, which is good because I like to look at beautiful pictures of irises, but I've also discovered that they are not particularly easy to grow. I've lost two complete plantings of Bearded Irises to borers, and even managed to kill off a bed of hardy Siberian irises.

   Why bother with a touchy plant that has such a short growing season? That's easy: because they're one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden when they do bloom.

   The author has a gift for clear, succinct phrasing, very well-suited for a 'how to' manual on growing irises. He also loves his subject--in the chapter on Louisiana Irises, he refers to himself as 'Johnny Iris Seed' because of his habit of planting his extra rhizomes in the mud at the margins of farm ponds, park pools, or even roadside ditches. "Most will establish themselves and give pleasure to passersby in years to come."

   After forty years of growing irises, he has learned that a good garden springs from a healthy, living soil. He suggests using pesticides and commercial fertilizers only as a last resort. For instance, in the section on Iris borers, he starts with the least toxic methods for ridding your garden of these pests: carefully clean up your garden debris in late fall and early spring to limit the number of borers that will hatch. Monitor the young foliage fans for notches, then pinch the fan below the notches to squash any burrower (a mano a mano approach not recommended for the squeamish).

   Irises can also be treated with beneficial nematodes. I tried this method one year with some success, although the neighbors probably wondered why I was running around with what looked like a horse hypodermic and sticking it into iris stems. According to this author, the nematodes can be sprayed on plants or used as a soil drench, so I can throw away my hypo.

   "The Gardener's Iris Book" is fun to read straight through to the appendices on Iris specialist nurseries (listed by state), and iris books and computer resources. However the book is divided into sections that treat irises with similar growing characteristics, e.g. those requiring substantial moisture or those that thrive in dry conditions. These useful subdivisions allow the reader-in-a-hurry to concentrate on the irises that thrive in an environment most closely resembling his or her own garden.




4. This book is so easy to read, most iris books I have come across goes way to deep into botany that they are a bore to read, not to mention confusing. The pictures are beautiful. This book is definately for anyone wanting to grow irises.



5. I bought this book since I'm just starting to plant different types of iris. The book provides a good overview and is an easy reference to understand. If I were a more experienced iris gardener I would probably be disappointed in the content covered.
   Overall, would recommend for the gardener with little or no experience in planting iris.

5 comments about Perennials for Washington and Oregon.

1. I found this book very useful. I especially enjoyed the rear section that graphically showed the comparision between each plant. Plenty of photos and more specific than other books. Highy recomended.



2. This is an excellent book for novice perennial gardeners. The photos are great for identifying unknown plants. I would recommend this to anyone thinking of developing their own perennial garden--it definitely takes the guesswork out of choosing, planting, and growing them!



3. This book and its companion volume: "annuals" are my current garden favorites. I am a long-time fan of Marianne Binetti and these books are like taking her expertise as a "lazy gardener" to FlowerWorld or the garden show with you. I save money by not buying tempting plants that won't work here. The seed starting tips are also excellent.

   One suggestion for future editions: I had Kinkos cut and spiral bind my copies of these two books so they stay open on the table when I am reviewing catalogs or making lists or planting seeds. This 8.00 investment really makes them perfect.




4. I've bought a number of different gardening reference books over the years, but none has been as helpful as this book. Only 96 perenials are covered (not counting the variations of each plant.) Every one of them can be grown in the Pacific Northwest.

   Last week I decided that would finally get around to planting in the rocks around my little backyard pond. It didn't take long for me to identify a number of plants suitable for the rocks that could be planted in fall. Sure enough, I was able to find them all at the local garden center! This would have been an overwhelming task if I were using one of my big, more complete garden reference books.

   While most of the book is about the plants, the first sixty pages of the book has general information on gardening. The information is simple enough for the beginner, but comprehensive enough that all but the most advance gardener won't find something to consider. This section also has mini lists of plants suitable for some basic conditions, like sandy soil, or shade.

   I have absolutely no problems recommending this book to every homeowner in Washington and Oregon, especially those west of the Cascades.




5. It is informative on what perennials work well in the PNW and what extra care you need to know about them to make gardening a success.

5 comments about Creating a Perennial Garden in the Midwest.

1. I grew up talking about this book with my Grandma (the author). This has been keenest interest since I could remember. Walking through her gardens outside her home have allowed me to learn and grow with her words.



2. Lots of pretty pictures, but no information on zones. Because of cold winters, the zones of each plant is important to me. I have to do additional research to find out if a given plant is suitable for the climate I live in.



3. I think this is an excellent book and I will make good use of it.



4. Layout and design of this book brings inspiration for the expirienced gardener and easy reference for the needy. Great pictures too. Shipment arrived well wrapped within a week!



5. This is a great book. Heart-felt narrative by author who give steps to establish a perennial shade garden in Wisconsin (zone 3-4). I think it would be a wonderful addition for a new gardener who want a step-by-step narrative describing the work (and sometimes rework) required when establishing and maintaining a garden.
   
   Since my style of gardening is using natives in sunny zone 5, the suggestions for plants really won't work for me. The suggestions about how to create harmonious and relaxing areas is applicable to any garden.

4 comments about Perennials: The Gardener's Reference.

1. Although packed with information, this book is almost too much for the backyard gardener. A couple of specific things I noted were: the plants are listed by their scientific name instead of their common name, and a lot of the focus seems to be on varieties from the northwest instead of the entire country. This should be stated somewhere obvious so purchasers have an idea of exactly what they are getting. Still muddling through the entire book; I was expecting something different.



2. I love this book. I have always enjoyed gardens and have done some gardening in the past - I finally have a little space to start from scratch and this has been a great help. The book lists the perennials by botanical latin but also has a very handy cross reference by common name. While the author's are from the Northwest, most of the plants listed can be used in USDA zones 3-9. I guess I might not buy this book if I gardened in Alaska, Hawaii or the extremely cold areas of the northern states. I like that the photo's are very clear and that each plant has a paragraph plus information regarding: Origin, preferred conditions, Management, propagation, pests and diseases, companion plants and notes.
   
   This book has over 500 pages of great information about over 2700 spiecies and cultivars and has helped me both decide for and against some of them this summer.



3. For all the information there is about plants, this book cuts to the core, and renders mini autobiographies of each plant in wondrous detail. This is no overview, but rather specific traits and needs of specific plants, and how to love them and make them happy. The photos are sensitive and detailed, and the individual plant descriptions are concise, clear and readable. This book has style and substance, and is sure to enrich the expert and instruct the rest of us.



4. In general it is a very good book. I was a little disappointed in some of the flowers that weren't included in the book.

5 comments about Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on Their Identification, Culture, and Garden Attributes.

1. Armitage's book is a well organized, packed full of useful information, and yet simple to use reference which is perfect for the novice gardener, or professional horticulturist. It is well written, and understandable, giving a good idea of the particular merits and disadvantages of various species. Armitage's voice comes through the layers of facts, giving the reader a pleasant meander through the book. I highly recommend this well researched work to any who dabble in the plant world, or make their living through it. In addition, a good companion to this book would be "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" by Michael A. Dirr. Both references should be on the bookshelves of those who are horticulturally inclined!



2. This is one of my absolute favorite references on perennial garden plants. Alan Armitage really gives you a "feel" for each plant, giving you the sense that you know its likes and dislikes before you've even seen one. He includes all the information you need: cultural information including cold and heat hardiness, identification information, and propagation. Much of this is provided in a descriptive format which is very useful because the minor quirks of each plant can be included. I have found his information right on target nearly 100% of the time. Of great value is his experience in a variety of climates. This makes it possible for you to judge accurately how a plant will perform for you. I have the first edition of this book as well. If you are familiar with that edition, this is nearly identical in style and format, but with expanded species and cultivar listings. A few species, such as ironweed, are new. Others, such as trillium, appear to be greatly expanded, with more information on identifying the species and varieties within the genus. Cultivar listings are greatly expanded and have been brought up-to-date. If you already have the first edition, I believe buying the second is well worth it if you are a dedicated gardener or gardening professional--but certainly not a necessity. The sections on lilies and peonies and iris, and other such plants that have their own societies and numerous books all their own, appear to be unexpanded (which is probably wise).



3. This perennial encyclopedia is written in a wonderfully engaging conversational tell it like it is style that is very entertaining to read. For example, of the Meconopsis poppy he writes "...the Himalayan Blue poppy elicits classic garden emotions of beauty, grandeur, awe and most of all, frustration and failure." But beyond his wicked wit is an absolute wealth of valuable information. My primary interest is in starting perennial flowers from seeds and I have found more good information here in this one book than in all my propagation books combined--I can see it is going to be my perennial "Seed Bible" for years to come. I always feel a little nervous when pulling the trigger (and purchasing) any book at this price--but this one is a gem that is bursting with information, wit and wisdom and I consider it an extraordinary value.



4. Allan Armitage knows his plants. That's what I've always heard, and this book amply demonstrates it. This book covers just about every garden perennial grown in North America, including many that most of us would consider annuals or at best tender perennials (e.g., cannas). Armitage isn't afraid to tell his opinion of any plant, straightforwardly telling the reader that that's exactly what he's doing--something I especially appreciate as gardening is such an individual and idiosyncratic activity. Anybody who feigns objectivity with regard to gardening is being disingenuous at best.

   There are two major drawbacks with this book. The first, and most forgivable, is the dearth of color photos. There are just a few tucked in the middle of the book, illustrating a small minority of the plants discussed in the text. Color photos are expensive, and given a choice between pretty pictures and informative text, I'm at a point in my gardening life where I'll go with the text. I can always look up the pictures in the other gardening books I have, which often have precious little information to go with them. Unfortunately, this will probably discourage many a casual book browser from buying this book--people want to see the pretty pictures, darn it! But that's not the author's fault, and it's a shame, since this book has so much good information. Unfortunately, the line drawings that stand in for photos of many of the plants are very uneven in quality, and some are worse than no picture at all.

   The second major fault, and one that I found very frustrating and far less forgivable given that Armitage is an expert in his field as well as a professional, is the large number of typographical errors, misspellings, and other errors in the book. Did anybody bother to proofread this thing??? Both plant names and other words are misspelled. In more than one case, a word or name is misspelled the same way more than once (e.g., "Hildago" for "Hidalgo", Yucca "filimentosa" for "filamentosa"), suggesting that they are not simple goofs or typos. Gardeners have a hard enough time spelling plant names without being misled by the pros! These errors mar what is otherwise an excellent and informative book.




5. This is my go to reference for perennial plants. Informative, witty, just a good read for serious gardeners. More information on culture of specific cultivars than any other.
   
   Unfortunately, I'm told that Dr. Armitage has retired from the University of Georgia and is now turning his attention to shrubs, so I suspect we will not see another edition of this book. If you love gardening, get this one while you can.
   
   A Virginia Gardener

5 comments about Taylor's 50 Best Perennials for Shade: Easy Plants for More Beautiful Gardens (Taylor's 50 Best).

1. Excellent book for the price!



2. I bought this book to help a friend who built her dream house on a wooded lot find plants and flowers that would bloom and grow. We were thrilled to find that all the plants listed would grow in our climate area (Pennsylvania). The book provides a good selection of plants without overwhelming a novice with too many choices and hard-to-find or tricky plants. We were very pleased to be able to find plants that would fit some of her problem areas (under trees, wet spots, etc.) and fit her requirements of providing her with real bloom without having to plant annuals every year.



3. I was disappointed in the too-brief description of the plants. Not enough info. Perhaps typically Taylor's but I expected more.



4. Since much of my yard is shaded, and we still love flowers, this book is just what the Dr. ordered. Have planted several plants described in this book and they are healthy and doing well.



5. Very comprehensive and straightforward, with simple and down-to-earth advice, and nice photos. I am glad I bought this book and I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Growing Perennials in Cold Climates.

1. This book lets you know which perennials you can buy and grow in cold climates. It is a must for anyone in the Northern Areas of 20 degree's below 0 even in Canada. It shows the pictures of the flowers and where they will grow best for cold weather. It also shows you the best variety to buy and where you can order them, plant them and how to do it. It is a must for cold weather climates.



2. I've bought and borrowed numerous books regarding perennials. None has been so complete and well illustrated. Each plant species has varieties listed as well as planting, mulching, pruning, dividing techniques and advice. As an avid perennial gardener, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Kudos to the authors!



3. A passionately written book. The information is detailed yet to the point and not boring or too scientific. A great book for the cold climate novice gardener or a reference for the master.
   The pictures are beautiful and plenty. The layout is clear, logical and well organized. The book's a real keeper. Great job.



4. For those living in zone 4 or 3 - this is a fantastic all inclusive gardening book for anyone. Would highly recommend it.



5. This is an excellent book for gardeners in USDA Zones 3b through 5b east of the 100th meridian. While one can certainly quarrel with which genera are covered, within its scope this book offers very solid advice. No similar reference offers as much breadth regarding specific cultivars. I hope the publisher will offer an expanded (including Thalictrums and Polygonatums!) and updated second edition in the near future. If you are a beginning to intermediate gardener this book is definitely worth having.

5 comments about Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia.

1. I bought it for my mom, a definate iris lover, she is absolutley thrilled over it. She shows it to everyone that mentions the word Iris, to her. Her sister, my Aunt, looks at the book everytime she goes to visit her, too. She is another iris lover. So are my sister's and I am, too.
   Thank you for helping me please all the iris lovers in my family. Which goes beyond my mother and my Aunt. We are all pleased with this book. We all would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about irises.



2. This book has wonderful pictures and descriptions, perfect for identifying unknown iris in the garden.



3. I've read three iris books back to back looking for specific information:
   
   I want to know about hybridizing bearded irises and this book gives a very good general overview. Better than the other books, but still fairly general in cross-making information.
   
   I also used it to look for answers to some weird occurrences in my Irises this year and found no description of the symptoms in the pests/diseases part. The other books didn't have the problem either so I am frustrated, but perhaps shouldn't blame this book for not providing the answer.
   
   This IS ABSOLUTELY the best book on the market on the subject though, better, fuller, glossier, and more comprehensive than the rest I've seen. I was a little surprised to see it is mostly a listing of irises in cultivation which is an ambitious undertaking.
   
   I would caution against using any book to identify unknown Irises as there are just too many cultivars to be sure you've got the right name. However, I absolutely would (and did) use it to verify the identities of named Irises with a few nametags that got mixed up.
   
   I would've given it 5 stars if there had been a little more information on the aforementioned items. I perhaps owe it 5 stars simply for the amazing job they did on the species Irises which no other book comes close to matching.



4. Like all botanical Encyclopedias, this can't possibly contain all the varieties available, but almost all are represented in some form. This book is responsible for spurring my obsession with Irises so I can't vouch for its significance to the experienced gardener, but I haven't found anything that compares. The text is very brief and concise, but provides a good overview of each Iris family (I didn't know there were so many!).
   
   If you are an Iris enthusiasts or want to become one, this is the book to own!



5. For a new iris gardener, this is a fantastic book to have. The pictures give you the 'true' colors of the flowers and tell you the type they are, the blooming span, the height of them, etc. Everything you might want to know all in a book you can have right at your fingertips. I keep it on my coffee table for friends to browse through just because it gets them interested in an iris for their own gardens. Breathtaking!!!

4 comments about Pictorial Guide to Perennials.

1. This fine book conjures up thoughts of those "wish list" seed catalogs that many of us received in the heyday of gardening. The book is designed around making it easy to select, prepare, grow and care for any of the 800 plants discussed. As any avid gardener knows, planning for spring begins the day of the first frost. And to this end, the Pictorial Guide To Perennials is an excellent way to get through the doldrums of a Midwest winter. Accurate color printing of the photos and concise yet informative plant descriptions combines for an easy-to-use format not found in other gardening books. The writing style quickly leads the reader to where they want to go - be it shade gardens or soil preparation. Quick references in the section dividers enables most anyone to find the right plant for their planting climate zone, no matter what the level of sun their yard receives. Well researched and referenced back to both University experts and renowned perennial plant propagators. Read it for the information, or of the fantasy that one day you will have such wonderful plantings as pictured in the book, if only you follow all of the instructions! Good value for the quality received



2. This fine book conjures up thoughts of those "wish list" seed catalogs that many of us received in the heyday of gardening. The book is designed around making it easy to select, prepare, grow and care for any of the 800 plants discussed. As any avid gardener knows, planning for spring begins the day of the first frost. And to this end, the Pictorial Guide To Perennials is an excellent way to get through the doldrums of a Midwest winter. Accurate color printing of the photos and concise yet informative plant descriptions combines for an easy-to-use format not found in other gardening books. The writing style quickly leads the reader to where they want to go - be it shade gardens or soil preparation. Quick references in the section dividers enables most anyone to find the right plant for their planting climate zone, no matter what the level of sun their yard receives. Well researched and referenced back to both University experts and renowned perennial plant propagators. Read it for the information, or of the fantasy that one day you will have such wonderful plantings as pictured in the book, if only you follow all of the instructions! Good value for the quality received



3. I have used this book over and over again...it is fantastic! A great collection of information. One of benefits that I appreciate is that the book assists you in pronoucing the names of the plants!! This book is one you will want around for a long time to come!!! If you are a gardner this is a must have book!!



4. This is definitley the best book I have found on perennials. Contains many pictures that help me to identify plants. I recommend it most highly.

5 comments about Bromeliads for the Contemporary Garden.

1. .Very informative.
   .Excellent pictorial display
   .It would be one those books that you're proud to own.



2. This is a great book for people who want to grow bromeliads at home. It has lots of information and lots of good photos. The only drawback is that the index is by Latin names and if you don't know the correct name you have to flip through the whole book and hope you find a photo.



3. Its a good book for folks who want to plant bromeliads in their garden. It has an Australian slant to it, but the information can be used world-wide. Worth the read.



4. This is a gorgeous book. Even if you're not into tropical plants and master gardening, it is a wonderful book to just look through. As in "coffetable" book. But it is very definitive - as far as thousands of genus can be. It goes into the history of bromeliads and how they are constantly being hybred. I purchased this book for a friend who has a nice collection of the plants and needed to identify some of them. I was very reluctant to let it go and am thinking of buying one for myself.



5. Excellent color photographs and very informative, you cannot go wrong with this book if you are new or old to bromeliads.