Product Description

In Maples for Gardens, the van Gelderens (whose Esveld Aceretum is home to the Dutch national collection of Acer) have collected within these pages an amazing array of maplesplants of all sizes and colors, with a wide variety of leaf forms, fall colors, barks, fruit (samaras), and flowers. The photos depict all seasons and all angles, most notably habitat shots from a distance and close-ups of the leaves, fruit and bark. One particular highlight of the book is the large number of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) cultivars, including many new cultivars and with updated taxonomy. No matter the size of the yard or the particular challenges of climate, Maples for Gardens is a superb photographic resource for anyone contemplating a new tree.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1079425 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 294 pages

From Library Journal
This new encyclopedia is intended as a photographic companion volume to van Gelderen's Maples of the World (Timber, 1994), which provided detailed botanical and horticultural information for maples worldwide and included a 70-page bibliography. Maples for Gardens, however, stands perfectly well on its own as a reference for gardeners and horticulturists. The authors operate a large family nursery in Boskoop, Holland, that includes an extensive maple collection called the Aceretum. More than 80 species are illustrated and briefly described here, along with numerous subspecies, cultivars, and hybridsAabout 500 different maples in all. The volume overflows with nearly 700 color photographs and includes three helpful appendixes: where to see maples in arboretums, gardens, and parks in the United States, Britain, and Europe; listings of maples by particular application, such as for parks and streets, large gardens, and small gardens as well as rare species for connoisseurs and varieties with attractive bark or exceptional fall color; and hardiness zone maps for Europe and North America. Recommended for both public and academic libraries.AWilliam H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"describes the great variety of species in the world's largest and most diverse genus of trees; a valuable contribution" -- The Avant Gardener, November 1999

"Maples for Gardens fills its pages with what most dirt-under-the-nails gardeners truly need: basic identification, cultural requirements, and most importantly, color images."
—Dan Hinkley, Pacific Horticulture, Spring 2000 (Pacific Horticulture )

"The fern community went for many years with the little useful horticultural reference ... Now we have Rickard's 'The Plantfinder's Guide to Garden Ferns,' a visual delight and a valuable, up-to-date resource. I wouldn't be without it."
—Sue Olsen, American Gardener, January/February 2001 (American Gardener )

"The quality of the photography is generally excellent ... An outstanding reference, highly recommended for horticulturists and others interested in landscape gardening."
—Choice, March 2000 (Choice )

In every way, this is truly a superb portrait of the current state-of-the-maple.... The title only barely hints at the coverage and beauty of this extraordinary volume. -- HortIdeas, October 1999

Maples For Gardens is one of he most valuable tools published this season. -- Verlyn Klinkenborg, The New York Times Book Review, 12/5/99

The quality of the photography is generally excellent... An outstanding reference, highly recommended for horticulturists and others interested in landscape gardening. -- Choice, March 2000

The volume overflows with nearly 700 color photographs and includes three helpful appendixes. -- Library Journal, August 1999

This book clearly illustrates plants of the species and many of the popular cultivars, especially of the Acer palmatum types. This is a great addition to any gardeners library and another fine offering from Timber. -- Susan Banks, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11/6/99

From the Publisher
This lavishly illustrated resource should encourage gardeners to explore the great diversity of available maples, from prize landscape trees to richly varied shrubs to sculptural miniatures There are plant treasures for any garden.

Customer Reviews

Tons of good info./ pics for maples and Japanese maples!!
I was looking for a good reference book on maples and Japanese maples, and was seriously considering both this one and Vertrees' book on Japanese maples. However, since this book included both types of maples, I considered it to be the better value. Also, this book has 683 color photos, and one third of the book is dedicated to Japanese maples, while Vertrees has 250 color photos and is dedicated only to Japanese maples. I still may buy Vertrees book as well, but if you are trying to choose between them, I'd go with this one. I spent many pleasurable hours just thumbing through the descriptions and gorgeous photos of maples.

The only book on maples you'll ever need
What a refief. After perusing at least twenty books on maple trees, I came across this gem. It is hands-down the most extensively researched book on the subject I've ever come across. There are hundreds of pictures which are extremely useful; many books will give only 4 or 5 pictures for an entire species. It contains an exhausting amount of information that proved invaluable in making my decision about which acer to plant. Once I discovered this book, my research days were over.

Color Buffet
Color choices, complete growth patterns and more information than the casual gardener can cope with make this an excellent reference.