Air Plants: Epiphytes and Aerial Gardens

David Benzing is a botanist with a career-long researcher's knowledge of epiphytes. His book, Air Plants, presents as an advanced text for those already familiar with at least the basics of botany. Read with care, the book reveals the diversity and extent of this unique family of plants, replete with details on the variety of environments in which they may be found and the variety for forms that they take, including their nomenclature and biology. This makes for an excellent background work, but one challenging to anyone who is primarily interested in the practical care and breeding of epiphytic plants, such as the popular bromeliads and orchids. I have rated it high on the scale due to its informative nature, but caution some potential buyers to be aware that they are in for a challenging read.

AIR PLANTS : EPIPHYTES AND AERIAL GARDENS BY DAVID H BENZING. I am a newbie to the world of Air Plants and wanted a reference book on and about them. This book is the perfect resource for you if you are just beginner or a reference for a long timer into the world of Epiphytes. The author covers the entire spectrum of the Air Plant along with amazing photos of them in their natural habitats. Do not let the price deter you if you want a complete in-depth guide to the world of Air Plants.

This book is a very detailed, very well-researched tome on epiphytes, plants that live out of the soil, usually hanging on other plants. I was interested in the book because I grow Tillandsias (air plants). There is practically nothing out there on Tillandsias, unless it's a little, truncated chapter in a book on orchids or bromeliads in general. Now we have this book! Not only are epiphytes fascinating, but they are tricky to grow if you don't know their peculiar structure and needs. Once you do, it's pretty easy. I would have liked an extra chapter on growing Tillandsias indoors, but that's beyond the scope of the book, which is more about epiphytes in situ than in cultivation.

I was hoping to see epiphytes identified, but what I got was a scholarly book on the microstructure of the genus. Too much info for a casual observer who had mystery pictures from a Florida to identify.

This is a great book for the beginner, or for long-time gardeners who are taking on a new plant obsession. The writing is to-the-point and the photography is luscious.

Prompt service and wonderful plants make for a happy customer.

Excellent book

good book

I was a bit disappointed that there were few pictures, and then only in black and white, but the information on bromelias is vast and helpful. -dartfrog keeper

A comprehensive reference book for enthusiasts who are seriously interested in sourcing and cultivating the airplants for home displays in sand vases.

Excellent reference book. Very knowledgeable author. I learned a lot. Good if you want to go further, get detailed information on air plant biology/ecology/natural environment/treatment, scientific references etc. Many graphics, tables and pictures but mostly in black and white, except for a few full colour pages (would be nice to have more!).