Product Description

Sedums are sun-loving, drought-resistant, and mostly hardy. They are prized by rock gardeners and succulent enthusiasts for their color and interesting shapes. This definitive study by one of the world's authorities provides cultural information for more than 400 stonecrop species and varieties, many of them photographed in their native habitats.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #807039 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 356 pages

From Booklist
More than 400 species and varieties are described in this detailed guide to sedums, also known as stonecrops. Stephenson begins with a chapter on the uses of sedums and follows with a chapter on growing them, offering data on temperature of water, composts, propagation, and pests. The bulk of the book--more than 200 pages--describes the 400 species alphabetically. Each listing includes general description, habitat, main points of distinction, variation, and horticulture (which identifies various uses of the species, such as potted houseplants and in rock gardens, herbaceous borders, hanging baskets, window boxes, or outdoor containers). The text is supplemented by 110 color photographs and 100 black-and-white photos. George Cohen

Review
"A splended and wholly admirable book ... will surely be the standard reference work on sedums for many years." Will McLewin, Hardy Plant, February 1996 (Hardy Plant )

"For any gardener who wants to learn more about this attractive and versatile group of plants, this is simply the finest book available. Attractively presented, interestingly written, and containing just about everything known today about sedums for the garden, Ray Stephenson's new work can be highly recommended." David Heller, Rock Garden Quarterly, Winter 1995 (Rock Garden Quarterly )

"Timber Press has to be the world' finest publisher of books about gardening, botany, and horticulture. I highly recommend this volume for anyone that would like to understand more about this charming genus of easy-to-grow and useful plants." Barry Glick, GardenWeb.com, December 6, 1996 (GardenWeb.com )

"A splended and wholly admirable book ... will surely be the standard reference work on sedums for many years."
—Will McLewin, Hardy Plant, February 1996 (Hardy Plant )

"For any gardener who wants to learn more about this attractive and versatile group of plants, this is simply the finest book available. Attractively presented, interestingly written, and containing just about everything known today about sedums for the garden, Ray Stephenson's new work can be highly recommended."
—David Heller, Rock Garden Quarterly, Winter 1995 (Rock Garden Quarterly )

"Timber Press has to be the world' finest publisher of books about gardening, botany, and horticulture. I highly recommend this volume for anyone that would like to understand more about this charming genus of easy-to-grow and useful plants."
—Barry Glick, GardenWeb.com, December 6, 1996 (GardenWeb.com )

About the Author
Ray Stephenson is the Founder and Chairman of the Sedum Society in England, and his Northumberland garden with its 800 different stonecrops—probably the most diverse collection in the world—has been officially designated as The National Collection of Sedum. Stephenson is also the editor of the Sedum Society Newsletter.

Customer Reviews

indispensible reference on the genus Sedum
A thorough and up-to-date reference of species and cultivars of the genus Sedum. The focus of the book is botanical, but there is sufficient horticultural information included to make it very useful for gardeners as well as collectors. All species are described with notes on distinguishing features, variation, and horticultural availability and use. Many excellent color photos and informative line drawings. This is the standard reference for anyone with a serious interest in sedums.

An excellent resource for the enthusiast
This was the first reference book in many years to provide an in-depth guide to identifying the many species of sedums. The author provides details regarding 400-plus different kinds of sedums, with photos and identifying characteristics, native habitat, horticulture, etc. The book provides some general information on growing sedums (temperature, water, light, pests, propogation), but the bulk of the book is devoted to a discussion of individual types. With its in-depth, scientific treatment of the subject, it is not necessarily a book for a beginning rock gardener, but anyone past the initial stages of growing sedums would find it useful, and it is a must-have for a nursery owner.

Dearth of color photos
I bought this book as a gift for a gardening enthusiast and was very disappointed in it. Compared to other garden treatises of similar size, price, and level of specificity, there were simply far too few color photos in this book. There are some color photos, but the vast majority of the book is in black and white. The scientific descriptions and technical specificity are great, though. Overall, the book is very overpriced for what you get.