Synopses & Reviews
This bestselling encyclopedia, illustrated with brilliant photographs, describes the best woody plants adapted to cooler climates, showing both habit and details of more than 500 species, and including some 700 additional cultivars and varieties. Brief cultural information is supplied for each plant, as well as Dirr's perceptive comments and opinions.
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"A reference book of the first order." Journal American Rhododendron Society
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"Though my shelves sag under the weight of books about trees and shrubs, theres still space for a pictoral encyclopedia that does the subject justice." Sunset Magazine
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"A photographic tour-de-force, this is the book Dirr fans have been waiting for. In addiction to the usual opinionated and informative text we have come to expect from Dirr, this encyclopedia of hardy woody plants is illustrated with 1,650 full-color photographs selected by the author from his slide collection. At the end of the book is a useful index of plants grouped by desirable characteristics and cultural requirements." The American Gardener
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"The treasure of Dirr's book is the photographs, not just for their beauty but for their detail....Before you invest in a tree or shrub, think about investing in this book." The Oregonian
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"Unquestionably one of the most significant books ever published, this lavishly illustrated encyclopedia describes the best woody plants, from Abeliophyllum to Zenobia." Ralph Snodsmith's Garden Hotline Newsletter
About the Author
Michael A. Dirr is a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia. He is the author of ten books, including Dirrs Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia and the text and reference book, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, and has published more than 300 scientific and popular papers and articles. His teaching, lectures, seminars, garden study tours, and plant introduction programs have contributed enormously to greater horticultural awareness. He has received the highest teaching and gardening awards from the University of Georgia, American Society of Horticultural Science, American Horticultural Society, American Nursery & Landscape Association, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Southern Nursery Association, and Garden Club of America.