Product Description

Following the phenomenal success of Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs, written for gardeners in the climates of USDA zones 3–6, this companion volume is a photographic encyclopedia of trees, shrubs, and vines for "warm temperate" zones. In North America, these areas (zones 7–11) stretch from the Mid-Atlantic states to the South, include most of Texas and the Southwest, and encompass the entire West Coast up to western Canada. Any gardener who lives in an area where average winter temperatures do not fall below 0° Fahrenheit (–18° Celsius) will want this book, and curious gardeners in colder zones may well want to test these select plants in their local microclimates. This remarkable volume shows both the habit and details—flower, fruit, bark, fall color—of more than 400 species and describes hundreds more cultivars and varieties. Certain genera offer myriad hybrids and selections, and photographs of many of the best of these are included as well—nearly 40 named crapemyrtles, a dozen teaolives, and 11 loropetalums. In all, more than 1400 photographs join with the authoritative text to bring the plants to life. From Abelia to Ziziphus, gardeners will encounter many new and unfamiliar plants that thrive in warmer climates. The book also reflects the author's inimitable personality, which holds nothing back when a plant deserves outright acclaim ("If prescriptions could be written for perfect garden plants, this species would come close to filling the order"), backhanded praise ("Use for accent, for novelty, or to drive visitors loony"), or frank condemnation ("Splays to the point of no redemption with time"). The book concludes with useful lists for selecting plants for a variety of conditions or for ornamental characteristics, such as flower color and fragrance, fruit, and fall color.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #360088 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

From Library Journal
A professor of horticulture and the author of ten books, including the well-known Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Dirr (Univ. of Georgia) here presents an encyclopedia with more than 1400 beautiful photographs, personal observations of over 400 species, and hundreds more cultivars and varieties of trees, shrubs, and vines that grow in the temperate zones of the Southeast. Intended as a companion volume to Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, this new book will be useful to landscapers, garden designers, horticulturalists, and home gardeners located in the South, as well as the West Coast through British Columbia. Dirr also includes a section on cold-hardy palms that will survive in growing zones 7-11. What sets this book apart from many other botanical encyclopedias is the author's personal writing style, which breathes life into the text. Each plant is described in detail, showing flower, fruit, bark, fall color, and any other distinguishing characteristics. Easy-to-read entries may also include the author's individual experience with the plant, recommended cultural requirements, and growing habits. This practical and comprehensive work indicates whatever unique features a plant has to offer in the garden, both aesthetically and economically. Useful appendixes aid in selection of plants by their various characteristics. Dirr's encyclopedia is strongly and unhesitatingly recommended as a basic reference resource for both public and academic libraries, especially in the relevant growing zones. Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Dunwoody
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Dirr's previous book, Hardy Trees and Shrubs (1997), has proven to be such an invaluable guide to selecting garden specimens that his latest merits special attention. The same excellent format is repeated; in this case, nearly 1,500 photographs illustrate species and cultivars for southern and West Coast gardens. The accompanying text melds equal parts savvy counsel and accessible, enlightening descriptions that promise to steer gardeners at all levels to making informed choices when picking out trees and shrubs for a given space or habitat. Bark, berries, and blooms are pointed out, along with each plant's form and foliage, and plant lists provide handy references for specific characteristics. No other writer on gardening speaks to the subject with Dirr's experience, acumen, and ability to instruct. Simply indispensable. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"An invaluable addition to the library of anyone who gardens in the 'warm temperate' Zones 7-11 ... Drawn from the well-traveled researcher's decades of obsessive observation and liberally seasoned with humor, the richly informative plant profiles provide multiseasonal descriptions and tell how to use and care for hundreds of species and cultivars suitable for Zones 7-9 and warmer."—Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, October 2002 (Carol Bishop Miller Horticulture )

"Useful to those with microclimates or adventurous gardeners who want to test the limits of their zone."—Denise Cowie, Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 2002 (Denise Cowie Philadelphia Inquirer )

"Yet another must-have reference book [by Michael Dirr] ... an indispensable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners."— Fine Gardening, November/December 2002 (Fine Gardening )

An extraordinary book with wonderful photographs. -- Garden Specialist, February/March 2002

An invaluable addition to the library of anyone who gardens in the 'warm temperate' Zones 7-11 ... Drawn from the well-traveled researcher's decades of obsessive observation and liberally seasoned with humor, the richly informative plant profiles provide multiseasonal descriptions and tell how to use and care for hundreds of species and cultivars suitable for Zones 7-9 and warmer.Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, October 2002 (Horticulture )

Another Mike Dirr success. Make this book your companion when searching for the best woody species for warm climates. -- Southern Living, Spring 2002

Cannot be too highly recommended. -- The Avant Gardener, June 2002

Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates is a 'must have' book on trees and shrubs. -- Win Dunwell, February Hort Memo, Univ. of Kentucky , February 2002

If you live in a warm climate and grow woody plants, you must own it! -- Scott Ranger, The American Gardener, July/August 2002

Probably the finest photographic collection of warm temperate trees and shrubs ever produced. -- Agroforestry News, July 2002

Useful to those with microclimates or adventurous gardeners who want to test the limits of their zone.Denise Cowie, Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 2002 (Philadelphia Inquirer )

Yet another must-have reference book [by Michael Dirr] ... an indispensable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners. Fine Gardening, November/December 2002 (Fine Gardening )

[Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates] is sure to become one that Southern gardeners will keep close at hand. -- Cynthia W. Mueller, The Southern Garden

Customer Reviews

Worth every penny.
This volume is the perfect companion to Dirr's other magnificent books, "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" and "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs." These books aren't cheap so if you really, really have to pick just one, buy the "Manual" for its comprehensive, even exhaustive, coverage. But then do whatever you can to scrape together enough money to buy the other two volumes! They provide less information than the "Manual", but are worth their price for the color illustrations alone. Both are handsomely produced books, the kind for which Timber Press is becoming well-known. One particular asset of this book with respect to the others is its treatment of palms and several genera and species that were given short shrift, or not mentioned at all, in Dirr's "Manual". Throughout the book, Dirr's opinionated good nature and conversational writing style makes it a pleasure to read.

A previous reviewer bemoaned the fact that well-known southern plants are missing from this volume. In fact, it is a valuable reference precisely because there is virtually no overlap with "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs." Already owning the previous volume, I was very pleased to find that the new book complements it perfectly; plants that were previously discussed are not repeated. Sure, you have to buy both books, but have I already mentioned that it's worth it?

Although I am sure I will find more as I read the book more carefully, the only error I have found so far is the misspelling "Rhapidiophyllum" for "Rhapidophyllum".

Another Quality Dirr Effort
A wonderful companion to his landmark "Manual" and 1997 illustrated book of hardy trees/shrubs, this newest effort deserves a spot on the book shelf of every woody plant lover. The biggest strength of this volume is its well conceived format, brief text supplemented by quality photographs. Southern plants are often not covered adequately by mainstream literature, so this book fills a key niche. Included within the volume are old favorites, trendy "new" exotics and wonderful natives seldom described and photographed in popular literature. There are, of course, some notable omissions in terms of species and cultivars, but this tome nonetheless is highly functional and enjoyable.

A necessity for Southeastern US gardners
In this book, our leading expert on woody plants gives brief descriptions and excellent photos of many of those suited for warm climates. As noted by another reviewer, the selection is more complete for the humid Southeast (of the U.S.) than it is for California and other Mediterranean climates. However, I expect that all warm-climate gardeners will find much of value.

It is important to note that this book complements Dirr's two other major efforts on woody plants: his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants and a photographic volume (similar to this one) called Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs. The Manual provides more detailed taxonomic and cultural information (including info on propagation), but has line drawings of foliage only. The two photographic books cover most woody plants suited to the U.S. There is no overlap between the photographic books, which is why redbud and dogwood aren't found in this volume, as noted by a previous reviewer. They are hardy, and they are in Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs.

This book is invaluable for seeing what mature specimens of these plants will look like and for Dirr's always interesting comments on suitable uses and culture. Highly recommended.