American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide By uaezarb on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
This is my favorite gardening reference book. I have been a gardener for a long time and have gotten to know both the common and scientific names of hundreds of plants. There are still times when I am stumped on the name of a plant, or the needs of a particular plant, so I turn to my handy "Great Plant Guide". One of the things I like the most about this book is the size. It measures approximately 4 ½" x 5 ½ " x 1 ½" thick. The size makes it easy for me to carry in my purse when I am at a plant sale for easy reference to plant information.
The book has over 3000 plants listed in alphabetical order with pictures of every plant! There are two plants listed to every page with a short paragraph of information on the plant including where it should be planted, the zone it is for and the height of the plant at maturity. In the back of the book there are suggested plants listed in different categories, such as, plants for poor soil, plants for sun, or shade. There is also a hardiness zone map.
The only negative thing I can think of, is that the names of the plants are all in their scientific names, so if you are only familiar with common names, this may not be as helpful to you. So I guess I would recommend this to a more experienced gardener than a novice.
About The Author:
Dorling Kindersley American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide Purchased at: Gift Price: approx. $18
This sounds like a neat book to have. I found a gardeners book from the early 1900's that is way above anything I have ever seen, but nice to know some of todays books are handy. Green thumb is a good thumb!
There is a very special gardener in my life that has an upcoming birthday and I have been struggling trying to figure out a gift. I'm hoping she doesn't already have this book, because I think it would be perfect and am going tomorrow to buy one!
Sounds like a great book! I wish it had the common names b/c I don't name the scientific ones!
I think I need this book. I know most of what I see in my garden, but I love plants and want to know MORE! (btw, my Miltoniopsis orchid, which of course lives indoors because I live in ND, just started blooming again! So pretty! I've kept it alive for 2.5 years, a personal best with house plants, and it's bloomed three times! It's gorgeous!)
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the information.
Deb, you are right, this is a gardeners bible. I had this one for so long, the pages began falling out from being carried everywhere, even out in the garden.
I would love to have this book. I am all about gardening. I guess if you don't know the real name of something, you can look it up online. Thanks for your information.
Good pocket reference book for the serious plant person!
Looks like a great book of facts and information.
I think my mom might have this book, or one similar to it.