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The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants Editors-in-chief: Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk
The profiles were written by an international team of 100 expert horticulturists. For each genus, they include characteristics of the family and genus; native habitat; number of included species; ornamental qualities; cultivation requirements; propagation; and pests and diseases. The individual species, variety and cultivar profiles describe plant habit; leaf and flower characteristics; height and spread; geographical origin; and hardiness. The 6000 color photographs that accompany the plant profiles are exquisite, ranging from close-ups of leaf and flower detail to full-length shots of trees in the landscape. The 3 parts in the introduction, Botany for the Gardener; Cultivation; and Ornamental Plant Groups are recommended reading for anyone who wants to grow ornamental plants. Even the endpapers are beautifully functional: a full color visual glossary for flowers and leaves in front, and a map of the USDA Hardiness Zones in back. This is the essential reference for all gardeners. It is just as authoritative as Hortus Third, yet more up-to-date, more attractive, and more accessible to the non-professional. Steve Christman 5/26/00
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