Product Description

The most comprehensive and up-to-date encyclopedia of irises available. Irises are beloved by enthusiasts who garden in a wide variety of zones, including hot and dry, temperate, and even cold northern climates. Irises bloom in every imaginable color-revealed here in more than 1100 captivating photographs-from deepest purples, blues, and reds through strong pinks, yellows, and oranges to pastels in every shade. This wide-ranging collection illustrates the diversity of this beautiful genus and includes irises with striking foliage, reblooming capability, and scents. It features both historic and modern irises of all sizes from miniature and dwarf varieties to the stately tall beardeds. Also included is cultivation advice, information about the plants' breeding history, and ideas for combination plantings in rock gardens, containers, and perennials beds. An indispensable reference for iris fanciers everywhere as well as any gardener who appreciates their beauty and versatility.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #230969 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Released on: 2005-10-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 340 pages

From the Publisher
A gorgeous encyclopedia with bearded and beardless irises suitable for gardens through a wide variety of zones including hot and dry, temperate and even cold northern climates. Includes irises with particularly striking foliage, scent, patterned falls, and ruffled edges. 1000 color photographs throughout.

About the Author
Claire Austin grew irises and perennials for 20 years while working at her father's company David Austin Roses. In 2001, she and her husband, Ric Kenwood, established Claire Austin Hardy Plants, in Shropshire, England. They continue to grow over 1500 perennials at the nursery and hold the National Collection of bearded irises. Claire has exhibited at many flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, and has been awarded numerous medals and trophies for her exhibits of irises and other perennials. She is a trained illustrator and skillful photographer whose captivating images enhance her catalogues and books.

James W. Waddick is a contributor for the following Timber Press Title: Irises

Customer Reviews

Great detailed pictures
For a new iris gardener, this is a fantastic book to have. The pictures give you the 'true' colors of the flowers and tell you the type they are, the blooming span, the height of them, etc. Everything you might want to know all in a book you can have right at your fingertips. I keep it on my coffee table for friends to browse through just because it gets them interested in an iris for their own gardens. Breathtaking!!!

Nothing Compares!
Like all botanical Encyclopedias, this can't possibly contain all the varieties available, but almost all are represented in some form. This book is responsible for spurring my obsession with Irises so I can't vouch for its significance to the experienced gardener, but I haven't found anything that compares. The text is very brief and concise, but provides a good overview of each Iris family (I didn't know there were so many!).

If you are an Iris enthusiasts or want to become one, this is the book to own!

Stunning book, I'm looking for even more!
I've read three iris books back to back looking for specific information:

I want to know about hybridizing bearded irises and this book gives a very good general overview. Better than the other books, but still fairly general in cross-making information.

I also used it to look for answers to some weird occurrences in my Irises this year and found no description of the symptoms in the pests/diseases part. The other books didn't have the problem either so I am frustrated, but perhaps shouldn't blame this book for not providing the answer.

This IS ABSOLUTELY the best book on the market on the subject though, better, fuller, glossier, and more comprehensive than the rest I've seen. I was a little surprised to see it is mostly a listing of irises in cultivation which is an ambitious undertaking.

I would caution against using any book to identify unknown Irises as there are just too many cultivars to be sure you've got the right name. However, I absolutely would (and did) use it to verify the identities of named Irises with a few nametags that got mixed up.

I would've given it 5 stars if there had been a little more information on the aforementioned items. I perhaps owe it 5 stars simply for the amazing job they did on the species Irises which no other book comes close to matching.