Product Description

Choose plants with confidence from the only pocket-sized plant guide from the AHS. This handy, compact guide to more than 2,000 noteworthy plants is jam-packed with concise descriptions and over 1,000 full-color photographs. Easy to use and produced with the authority of the American Horticultural Society, this little book provides gardeners with a lot of information. The ideal reference for trips to the garden center or nursery. Beautiful photographs accompany essential information on plant size and cultivation. Quick-reference lists recommend a selection of plants for specific conditions and interests. Discusses problem sites, plants for specific design purposes, and plants to attract wildlife.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1665501 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 574 pages

Amazon.com Review
All new gardeners need a basic plant encyclopedia as one of their first reference books. This pocket-size guide is just that, a great source for identifying and caring for plants from anemones to yuccas. Close-up color photos will aid any gardener attempting to name that funny-looking flower by the door, or which type of maple is living in your new back yard. Because this book is arranged alphabetically, complete novices will find it easier to search by looking at the pictures than by using the names--quick, what's a papaver rhoeas?

The planting guide, which includes a brightly colored zonal map, is divided into sections of both plant groupings (colorful foliage, good in containers) and climate concerns (shade, drought). By cross-referencing these areas, beginners will have a selection of sure-fire winners for their first attempts. While you'll be tempted to dive right into choosing plants, take a moment to read the introduction--you'll find the planting code hidden there, and it's better to have those mysterious symbols decoded from the start.

The glossy cover and sturdy binding make this a great little title to drag right out in to the garden with you. The cover wipes clean easily, and the folding inside flap makes a handy place marker. --Jill Lightner

About the Author
The American Horticultural Society educates and inspires people of all ages to become successful and environmentally responsible gardeners by advancing the art and science of horticulture.

Customer Reviews

Inspiring Collection of Dreamy Plants
If you dream of finding beautiful flowers, the new updated and revised American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide is impressive. With over 3000 recommended plants and guides for plants for containers, this book was rather handy when planting a new container garden.

On page 674 and 675 you can find a Plant Heat-Zone Map which gives 12 heat zones. Most plants are featured with a picture and short description. Then, you can find symbols for the preferred soil type, sun/shade preferences and hardiness zone ranges. The plants without pictures are listed in The Planting Guide and feature trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials and bulbs suitable for specific site or garden situations.

Features:

Advice on how to buy plants through the mail
How to choose healthy bulbs
Understanding Plant Names
Plants to attract Birds
Plants to attract Butterflies
Plants for Cold or Warm Walls
Flower for drying or cutting
Architectural plants
Cottage-garden-style plants
Trees for Small gardens
Flowering hedges

You can look up a flower in the index. Like, say "Petunia." This gives you a few names and then you can search for advice on how/where to plant your favorites.

Since I just moved further away from my dear mother, we have both planted Petunias. So now when we look out of our window to our planters, we will think of each other. It was my mother's idea and she loves gardening. My grandmother used to grow roses and it seems everyone in my family has a green thumb. Our family loves going to gardens and learning flower names. This book is perfect for travel and is very useful when shopping for plants that have not yet bloomed. You can quickly look up names of plants alphabetically.

For more detailed information on Container Gardening, look up the book by the same name by Paul Williams. His book taught me the best way to create an inspiring masterpiece.

Now onto dreaming about planting a new lavender garden in the near future. I am also intrigued by some of the vines in this book. The blue trumpet vine looks interesting and in the zone I'm living in, I could quite possibly grow a passionflower vine. Seattle and Issaquah were a bit too cold and rainy. There are some stunning flower selections interspersed with familiar flower faces.

If it was my choice, I'd spend all my time writing, cooking and planting flowers while listening to inspiring music. What a life! This book is sure to inspire some of your own gardening dreams.

~The Rebecca Review

2,000 Is Not Enough!
It is a beautiful little book but I need a more complete reference...the first few names I looked up weren't included, and I also want more background on the genus name as well as on the common name. Guess I'll have to go for the big bucks! :)

It's so handy...
The AHSGPG is a wonderful little book. It has practically every living plant known to man. Not only does it give descriptions on plants/trees/shrubs, but this book also gives you a climate planting guide, as well as suggestions on the different kinds of plants to plant in different areas of the U.S. Even small container gardens, shade gardens, full sun gardens along with different soil limitations. It's small size is what I love...small enough to tuck in a purse when going plant shopping!