RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants [Hardcover] Christopher Brickell

I was given this tome as a present in 1996 when it was first published. As a keen gardener I find this book an absolute neccesity with information about most plants (flowers, trees, ferns, grasses, etc.) you are likely to find in garden centres, plant nurseries and indeed the tropical house at Kew. For each genus (in alphabetical order) it gives details about propagation and care, and then a detailed description about the common species within that genus. One thing I particularly like is the inclusion of common English names in the alphabetical listing which redirect you to the Latin generic name. This is very useful for newcommers to gardening.This book has been out of print for some time now, but is easily available secondhand for just a few pounds, I've just bought a copy for my daughter because she wants to know what she can grow in her own garden.This is by far the best reference book in my extensive gardening library so, If you are at all interested in plants this book is a "must have" to dip into at any time.Just one small word of warning though; with modern DNA testing the taxonomy of plants is constantly changing and this makes the book dated with regard to a few plant names, but just like an old road map, you can still find your way around.Of course, it won't include new plant varieties developed or discovered since 1996; Salvia 'Amistad' for example.

I am currently a student in a horticultural program, and for one Plant I.D. class we are learning the binomial name of at least 400 plants as well as characteristics and cultivation requirements/needs. This book is a wealth of knowledge and very useful to gardeners. I have a '98 edition, and heard the '08 edition has more plants and some plants have been re-classified scientifically. But not so much to necessarily merit paying an extra 100$ for it. You can always double check with Google!

This is unbelievably comprehensive but written in a way that makes it accessible to beginners as well as experts. The photos are excellent and there are lots of them. Individual plant types are listed alphabetically by genus. A summary of the genus is followed by notes on hardiness, cultivation, propagation, and pests and diseases and then a list of the plant types within the genus. For example, under Caltha you will find C.introlaba, C.laeta, C.leptosepala, C.palustris, and C. polypetala - with a general description of each and then a selection of variants and named cultivars.I like the way common names and obsolete botanical names are included in the alphabetical listing and cross referenced, but some people might prefer a separate index at the backThe visual glossaries included at the front and back inside covers are outstanding.One word of caution: this book is jointly published by the Royal Horticultural Society and the American Horticultural Society, so if you live in the USA you should get the American version of the book which is more or less identical but will have the US rather than British temperature map, and will also be a lot cheaper.

Present for my avid gardener wife.

Fantastic book, must buy!!