Sunset Western Garden Book

Sunset Western Garden Book
Average customer rating:
Sunset Western Garden Book

Manufacturer: Sunset Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
West | Regional | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sunset Western Landscaping Book

California Native Plants for the Garden

California Top 10 Garden Guide (Sunset Books)

Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening: A Month-by-Month Guide Completely Revised and Updated

Northern California Gardening: A Month-by-Month Guide; Updated, 2nd Edition

ASIN: 0376039175

Book Description

Gardeners throughout the region will be welcoming a thoroughly updated and fresh-looking 8th edition of the "bible of Western gardening." With a new, easy-to-read design, more plant photography, larger illustrations, and more than 8,000 plant listings--500 of them new--it's THE essential book for gardeners in the Western states. What plants to grow, how to nurture them, and where they do the very best--it's all here. You'll also find updated information on the Western climate zones, 30 Plant Selection Guides, plus a Practical Guide to Gardening with basic advice on plant care and essential gardening techniques. New plant lists reflect current trends, such as Mediterranean gardening and easy-care plants for beginners. For more than 70 years, Sunset has been the source for no-nonsense gardening advice, easy-to-follow diagrams, and encyclopedic knowledge of plant varieties. In this edition, we introduce an exciting new feature: gardening tips from well-known plant experts throughout the West. The Western Garden Book has never been better! Features:

8th Edition of this perennial bestseller

More than 8,000 plant listings, 500 new, keyed to climate zones

30 Plant Selection Guides to find the perfect plant for every situation

Special contributions from 40 eminent Western garden experts

Introduction by Sunset garden editor Kathleen N. Brenzel, with a photographic tour of gardens that are truly the `Best of the West' gardens

Average customer rating:

Just what I was looking for

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants

A must for any gardener

Great housewarming gift!

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
H. Marc Cathey , and Christopher Brickell
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Gardening | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)

American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening

American Horticultural Society Pests and Diseases: The Complete Guide to Preventing, Identifying and Treating Plant Problems

American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation: The Fully Illustrated Plant-by-Plant Manual of Practical Techniques

American Horticultural Society Pruning & Training (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)

ASIN: 0756606160

Amazon.com

Collecting contributions from 100 distinguished horticulturists, the handsome and lavishly illustrated American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is a truly definitive gardening reference. With its 1,092 tiny-print pages, this may not be the book to tuck into your pocket as you weed and mulch, but what this encyclopedia lacks in portability, it certainly makes up for in scope. Hardy and tender plants, heirloom varieties and the latest hybrids--they're all accounted for here, with growing tips and background information about native habitats and ornamental features. You'll also find a fascinating section about botany, as well as information about basic gardening techniques such as mulching, staking, pruning, propagating, and protecting plants for winter. But the encyclopedia's main attraction is the individual plant entries--more than 15,000 of them, embellished with 6,000 full-color photographs and illustrations. From the visual glossary of leaves to the map of growing regions, The American Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plants provides an unsurpassed wealth of botanical information, making it the yardstick by which all other gardening references must be measured.

Book Description

The most comprehensive, detailed, and lavishly illustrated guide to garden plants ever published, first published in 1997, has now been completely revised to include nearly 250 new plants and photos. The AHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is an essential reference for all gardeners, from novices to experts.

Customer Reviews:

Just what I was looking for.......2007-08-23

I am very pleased with my choice of many horticultural books that are on the market. It has all of the information that I was looking for and more. Yes, it is pretty hard to haul around the garden, but worth it!

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.......2007-08-10

I just purchased 3 more of this book because it is so complete and great that my 3 children keep borrowing mine.

A must for any gardener.......2007-07-15

I had been admiring this book at my local library for quite a while and was surprised to see it offered through Amazon at a great price. This book has wonderful photos of each plant (and species) as well as detailed information, which makes identifying plants so much easier than with any other gardening book out there. If there is one draw back, it would have to be the weight. With over 1100 pages, it is not a book to carry around the garden.

Great housewarming gift!.......2007-03-24

This book works best if paired with The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Each book stands on it's own but the two together give total information and abundant photos. I bought one set for new homeowners about to plan their first yard and bought another set for myself. Even after gardening for many years, these books provide answers to questions that come up every gardening season.
The books are substantial in weight as well as information.

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia.......2007-01-12

This is an excellent source of information about plants and the photographs are wonderful.

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)

Average customer rating:

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)
Excellent reference
One hefty book!
Great gift for the person who has everythhing and loves flowers!
Perfect garden lover's reference book

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)
Christopher Brickell
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Gardening | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening
American Horticultural Society Pests and Diseases: The Complete Guide to Preventing, Identifying and Treating Plant Problems
American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation: The Fully Illustrated Plant-by-Plant Manual of Practical Techniques
American Horticultural Society Gardening Manual

ASIN: 0789489937

Book Description

Combining the authority of the AHS with the visual expertise of DK, this full-color gardening reference is the definitive guide for gardeners. Simply the definitive full-color reference to the horticulture of North America, AHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers contains more than 8,000 plant profiles, over 4,250 photographs, and practical advice on everything from cultivation, pests, and diseases, to plant selection and identification

Customer Reviews:

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides).......2007-07-15

Great for anygardener and it is a useful reference for people trying to figure out what to plant and where to plant it. Great book would highly recommend to any one.

Excellent reference.......2007-06-27

My kids and I use this as part of their homeschool education. It has wonderful pictures and TONS of information!

One hefty book!.......2007-03-24

Pair this book with The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and you will have the most comprehensive gardening guides you will ever need! The reviews suggested buying the books together and I'm glad I took the advice.
The books are HUGE! I wasn't prepared for the sheer weight of them but they are beautiful as well as informative.

Great gift for the person who has everythhing and loves flowers!.......2007-03-23

This book has great pictures and covers any type of flower you can dream up in it's 700 or so pages. The book is broken up into sections (i.e. Shrubs, tulips, etc.). A great value here too, it costs $60 in any other book store. The book also tells you what seasons each type of flower grows in.

Perfect garden lover's reference book.......2007-01-13

This is a killer book. You can look up characteristics of a specific plant or research what to plant for a particular area. I use this book constantly, and also just sit down to look through it for fun. Everything has a picture, which I think really sets this book apart. It's big and heavy, but actually makes a great "coffee table book."

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses

Average customer rating:

Not useful for the gardener or landscaper
Dirr is the Most Comprehensive
"Manual" is the right name for this book.
The best textbook I've ever bought
Great resource

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
Michael A. Dirr
Manufacturer: Stipes Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Shrubs | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Trees | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
Botany for Gardeners
Landscape Graphics
Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates: An Illustrated Encyclopedia

ASIN: 0875637957

Customer Reviews:

Not useful for the gardener or landscaper.......2007-09-19

This book is intended for plant scientists, and I was astounded to find how useless a gigantic tome like this can be to a gardener. For starters, in 1188 pages there are zero photos. There is zero color. There's a huge number of amateur black ink drawings that suggest major details of leaves, etc., but no refinements. For visual identification purposes this book is near-useless, so it cannot be thought of as a woody plant encyclopedia. Also, the author has a peculiar manifest of political correctness: he won't speak ill of a plant. So, for example, the discussion of Rhus never mentions that at least three species (poison ivy, oak, sumac) are known for inducing allergic skin reaction after contact. You'd better know that and be able to recognize these because to Dirr that's unmentionable. Nor can I find mention that any berry, leaf, or bark is poisonous though to be fair, I didn't check all 1188 pages. Nor will I; I exchanged my copy for the same author's "Hardy Trees and Shrubs" which is what I should have bought to begin with. It has everything the scientific Manual lacks. That's Dirr's book for gardeners, and still gives you a taste of his political correctness peccadilloes.

Dirr is the Most Comprehensive.......2007-07-05

I am an OSU Master Gardener and we are taught to look to the best experts when we research information for ourselves or to give out to the public. This book, Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" and Carl Whitcomb's "Know It and Grow It III" are the best references a person can use when researching woody trees and shrubs for a landscape. Although Whitcomb's book has a map showing regions where the plant would grow best, Dirr's book has by far more trees and shrubs reviewed with more cultivars listed also. Additionally, Dirr's book is listed entirely by scientific name making it easy to locate information about a plant quickly.

"Manual" is the right name for this book........2007-03-06

I bought this book because other books that I have by Dirr are worth every cent I have spent on them. This book is no different. No glossy pictures are present, but instead there are excellent, detailed line drawings of the identifying features of plant leaves and twigs. What this book does offer that other books I have read do not, is exhaustive information on just about every woody plant one might ever encounter. This book is a true "manual"; it is packed with information on every aspect of selecting, planting, managing, and propagating woody plants.

I doubt this book is essential for the casual gardener, but if you want a serious treatment of trees and shrubs for reference, this book is just what you are seeking. I bought the hardback because I knew that this is a book that will need to take years of abuse.

The best textbook I've ever bought.......2007-02-26

Easily worth ten times the price; an indispensable guide for any horticultural student. Contains encyclopedic knowledge, written in a friendly and approachable way. My copy is already tagged with post-its and notes in the margins; I will no doubt be using this regularly for my whole career.

Great resource.......2007-02-12

This is a wonderful book for those with at least moderate plant knowledge. Very valuable for looking up the difference between varities, but there are no color pictures.

The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes

Average customer rating:

The best ornamental grass book ever
Interesting and encyclopedic
Beautiful book

The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes
Rick Darke
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Gardening | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Rain Gardens: Bringing Water to Life in the Designed Landscape
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Grasses: Versatile Partners for Uncommon Garden Design
Pots in the Garden: Expert Design and Planting

ASIN: 0881928178

Book Description

In this new book noted grass expert and advocate Rick Darke addresses both the aesthetic qualities of grasses in private gardens and the opportunities and challenges of using them in wild and constructed public landscapes. All the true grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, and cattails that possess ornamental merit or that can contribute to ecological plantings are described, and practical matters of propagation, growth, and maintenance are also covered. More than 1000 stunning photographs show details of individual plants and hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part. This worthy successor to The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is a new type of design reference that sets a standard for inspired, sustainable use of grasses.

Customer Reviews:

The best ornamental grass book ever.......2007-08-23

This book is the bible of all ornamental grasses, great pictures for referance and identifacation of grass plants !!!!!!!!!!

Interesting and encyclopedic.......2007-07-05

In depth, beautifully photographed and written by someone who obviously cares a great deal about the subject. Great for reference -- also great just to peruse.

Beautiful book.......2007-06-10

Beautifully illustrated book and so specific. I had a hard time getting used to the detail because most books give you just a paragraph on the grass and very little on care, etc.

It's everything you want to know about Ornamental Grasses and more. Very, very complete reference source. Maybe be a bit too much for a average gardener, but if you love grasses and gardening -- this is an excellent book.

Average customer rating:

informative
Just what I needed
Just in time
Great Book!
Wonderful resource for the Southwest gardener

Designing with Succulents
Debra Lee Baldwin
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Pots in the Garden: Expert Design and Planting
Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary
The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes
Succulents for the Contemporary Garden

ASIN: 088192816X

Book Description

Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design and require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round. Featuring the work of more than 50 professional garden designers and creative homeowners, this complete design compendium is as practical as it is inspirational. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, it gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. Beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three-dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.

Customer Reviews:

informative.......2007-09-20

As a newcomer to succulents, I found this volume to be full of beautiful photos and wonderful information. It is a joy to peruse during a lull or sad moment. I had no idea how vast the subject is...........Debra Lee Baldwin has earned earned her prized reputation.

Just what I needed.......2007-09-18

Want to reduce water use in the garden and had no idea where to start with succulents. This is a great balance of practical and inspirational (pretty pictures).

Just in time.......2007-09-09

Hello Debra,

I am writing to tell you how much I love your book! I moved to
Carefree, AZ
two years ago from the San Francisco Bay Area (where I did garden
design and
everything grew) and have immersed myself in the study of all things
desert.
Your book is beautiful and informative and a breath of fresh air in
landscape design.

Thank you, thank you!
Erin

Great Book!.......2007-09-03

This book provides stunning photo's of some of the most beautiful landscape design work with succulents I have seen. As an owner of a retail shop selling pots for the garden, I leave it on my counter for my customers to refer to for ideas. Good, good stuff.

Wonderful resource for the Southwest gardener.......2007-08-24

This is an outstanding resource for gardeners of the Southwest and in particular Southern California. Excellent photos and very informative text. Provides numerous intriguing examples of what you can do especially if you are seeking to save water and reduce irrigation. What is surprising is all the wonderful variety and amazing color succulents provide year around.

Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes)

Average customer rating:

Conifers:the illustrated encyclopedia
a supplemental resource
Nothing compares
Conifers : The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Two Volume Set)
great book to figure out what you have growing in your yard.

Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (2 Volumes)
D. M. Van Gelderen
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Shrubs | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Trees | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Gardening | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Gardening with Conifers
Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
Japanese Maples
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia

ASIN: 0881923540

Book Description

This magnificent pictorial encyclopedia includes not only the latest cultivars but also rarities such as Wollemia nobilis, recently discovered in Australia. From towering redwoods photographed in their coastal habitat to recent dwarf varieties so popular in small gardens, conifers are presented in all their astonishing diversity.

Customer Reviews:

Conifers:the illustrated encyclopedia.......2007-09-10

Very good book. One of the few places you will a lot of trees published

a supplemental resource.......2007-02-18

This set of 2 books has an enormous amount of photographs. In fact, what is meant by an Illustrated Encyclopedia is that it is composed solely of photographs. There is no text other than the captions. Photograph quality is generally good, although some are of juvenille specimens and don't show mature form. It is also clear that culture plays a large part in the mature form in many cases, and it would be nice to show various specimens rather than just one. Still, this is an essential resource to have in your library if you want to know about garden conifers. You'll just need additional resources as well.

Nothing compares.......2001-12-17

I own and operate a nursery using both of these books as a primary resource when purchasing conifers from growers. When customers refer to these books at our library, they comment on how beautiful the many conifers are available. My only wish the book had w/b zone hardiness and growth habit. Buy it. ProGardens, Inc. East Amherst, New York.

Conifers : The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Two Volume Set).......2000-07-01

Two world authorities compiled this outstanding conifer book featuring 2347 excellent, sharp photos reproduced beautifully on high quality paper. Each picture was taken at the proper distance to show the tree's outstanding detail. Captions are a sentence or two with location often included. For detail use a good companion book such as the Manual of Cultivated Conifers by Krussmann. Imperative for landscapers and a joy for tree lovers -- a bargain at the cover price. A quality book clearly at the top of my list of favorites.

great book to figure out what you have growing in your yard........1998-11-29

pictures are great !!butlacks the necessary info on growing,care,climate zones&changes of sasons on the plants.but i love it for all it's visual contents

Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, Fourth Edition

Average customer rating:

Comprehensive
Overflowing with information
The Book

Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, Fourth Edition
Richard W. Harris , James R. Clark , and Nelda P. Matheny
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Shrubs | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Trees | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Illustrated Guide to Pruning
Pirone's Tree Maintenance
Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, Second Edition (Comstock Book)
Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs (Comstock Book)
Residential Landscape Architecture: Design Process for the Private Residence (4th Edition)

ASIN: 0130888826

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive.......2006-02-25

Very complete and up to date information on Arboriculture. Chapters are well organized, highlighting what you need to know. Does a great job of covering the basics, but also gets into details and is fairly technical, without becoming unreadable. A must have reference book for the Landscaper.

Overflowing with information.......2003-06-24

Arboriculture is a science and art that is made up of many different contributing factors. This book does a very good job of covering them all. Any one of the chapters could be expanded into a book in itself. This thoroughly researched and written book is for the person who wants all of their information in one place. It is a textbook for the technically minded arborist, tree surgeon, tree farmer, or hobbyist. Don't look for this book to be entertaining or philosophical. Instead, buy this book for the knowledge held within. There is a lot to be learned from it. Every single page is filled with facts, figures, methods, and recommendations. You will find yourself reading every page a second or third time in order to catch it all. I refer back to this book on a regular basis, because there is no way I can remember it all. If you have any questions about the management of trees or shrubs, you will likely find it in this book.

The Book.......2000-01-09

Harris wrote the first edition of this book when trees were "trimmed" by the same people who patched asphalt and repaired park benches. It was a breath of rationality in a field that relied mostly on anecdotal information.

The new edition reinforces this work as the compendium of current thinking about how to care for trees. Clark and Matheny build eloquently on Harris's solid foundation.

The public participates actively in caring for trees and demands to know information found in this book. Why not plant the biggest caliper tree you can find? Can't you do something about the tree roots "breaking" up my sewer? Open the book and show them the brief but definitive answer that is easily found here.

Amazon.com

Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, and draws from the experience and creativity of great gardens and gardeners around the world. It begins with an exploration of the unique aesthetics and appeal of ornamental grasses before moving on to a review of the families of grasses and a survey of grasses in their native habitats. Gardeners usually speak of "ornamental grasses" in the broad sense, including not only the true grasses but also related families of grass-like plants. Following this tradition, the book provides a detailed treatment of perennial grasses, rushes, and cattails, as well as selected bamboos. Written by horticulturist Rick Darke, this encyclopedia will be invaluable to nursery professionals, landscapers, and home gardeners.

Book Description

This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. Rick Darke has been studying and photographing grasses in gardens and native landscapes around the world for more than 20 years, and this book includes the best 500 photographs from his collection of nearly 15,000. At its heart is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos, with many plants illustrated in more than one season. Intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, this book is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners.

Average customer rating:

A serious attempt on a difficult subject
Good for Beginners, but...
Nice examples of successful Green Roofs
Organic Architecture with Plants

Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls
Nigel Dunnett , and Noel Kingsbury
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Green Roofs: Ecological Design And Construction
Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide
Roof Gardens: History, Design, and Construction (Norton Books for Architects & Designers)
Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors, Second Edition
Rain Gardens: Bringing Water to Life in the Designed Landscape

ASIN: 088192640X

Book Description

This book introduces a revolutionary new concept to gardeners. Planting on roofs and walls began in Europe, but it is now becoming popular all over the world. Green roofs and walls reduce pollution and run-off, and also help insulate and reduce the maintenance needs of buildings. Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls discusses the practical techniques required to make planting on roofs and walls a reality. It describes how roofs may be modified to bear the weight of vegetation, considers the different options for drainage layers and growing media, and lists the plants suitable for different climates and environments. This informative book will encourage gardeners everywhere to consider the enormous benefits to be gained from planting on their roofs and walls.

Customer Reviews:

A serious attempt on a difficult subject.......2007-06-06

I am a big advocate on using plants to create green walls and roofs. They can reduce the urban "heat island" effect and create usable green open spaces. I found this book's discussions on Intensive Green Roof, Extensive Green Roof, , Ecoroof, Brown Roof, etc interesting. This book is a serious attempt on a difficult subject. The color photos inside the book are helpful also.

There are still technical difficulties in using green walls and roofs: water proofing, how to handle the structural weight of large trees, how to integrate large plants with building structure, etc. All these technical discussions are needed, and they could be the subject of another book.

Gang Chen, author of Planting Design Illustrated

Good for Beginners, but..........2007-01-11

Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls is an excellent book for any landscape architect who has not yet designed and detailed either. For myself, the most helpful bit of information was the data collected and presented from various green roofs.

The living wall section on the other hand was thin. There was no mention of the living wall system Patrick Blanc developed which is much more interesting than putting up a wire trellis and planting vines next to it. The other comment i would have is that almost all of the examples are from Europe. We have fabulous examples in the US with more relevant plant materials and weather conditions.

Finally I would say that the authors didn't seem interested in exploring native plant materials and instead focused on a few cookie cutter plants commonly planted all over the northern hemisphere. Not unlike McDonalds.

Nice examples of successful Green Roofs.......2006-11-10

This book is great for those who may have trouble visualizing the possibilities of what you can do with a green roof. There are many examples of what you can grow, and what types of vegetation are suitable. The book is however not very technical about the architectural detailing considerations involved. Some sections and detail drawings would make this book much more valuable as a design resource.

Organic Architecture with Plants .......2004-09-28

Greenroof professionals and enthusiasts alike will be delighted with the easy reading and scope of content offered in "Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls" by Nigel Dunnett and Noël Kingsbury. Very well organized, the book's forte and major value is as an essential resource - especially in terms of plant description, characteristics and specification. It's also a great bargain in that the book is filled with color photos, drawings, charts and reference material. This indispensable hard cover reference guide contains a truly massive collection of appropriate plant information, and perhaps most importantly, extensive plant directories are provided for both greenroofs and façade greening.

Organic Architecture with Plants
Greenroofs, living walls, and various other bio-engineering techniques are introduced and the authors cite the associated benefits and reasons why we should be integrating these measures of organic architecture into our built environments. The authors refer to current international research and technology; background and history are touched on; and benefits and applications of these "ecotechnologies" are discussed at length. Yet, a "How-To Build" book this is not; basic principles are set out and tools for further research are provided.

Benefits at a Range of Scales
The section "Why Build Green Roofs?" explores hard evidence and the various benefits operating at a range of scales from amenity and aesthetic values to economic and environmental aspects. Increased roof life, insulation and energy efficiency, green building assessment and public relations, biodiversity and wildlife value, water management, air pollution, and fire prevention and risks are discussed with supporting evidence.

Although previously well known, the biodiversity and wildlife value of greenroofs is expanded upon here, including the new British models of "brown" or "rubble" greenroofs - those which recreate the thin, infertile landscapes of disturbed brownfield sites. Spontaneous colonization is presented as an important natural occurrence.

A Vast Array of Planting Opportunities
The authors rightly note that "The majority of guides to green roofs and roof greening concentrate on the technical and construction aspects but have relatively little to say about planting opportunities - mainly because most authors are not plant specialists." Well, Noël - a well known writer of plants and gardens, and Nigel - a senior lecturer in the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield, most certainly are plant experts, and an entire 47-page chapter is devoted to the wide range of planting opportunities for extensive greenroofs, beyond the ubiquitous albeit hugely successful use of Sedum species.

Prevailing site conditions will always dictate the plant selection, so designers need to know what plant species will not only survive but thrive in extreme local conditions. Desirable physical attributes of plants and how they may be established and managed are presented. Considerations of monocultures, single plant combinations and mixtures, and plant communities are useful as planting design tools. The form and physiology of suitable greenroof plants are nicely covered from a botanical as well as functional and aesthetic perspective. Issues of viewing considerations are pondered and design solutions are offered relating to the roof function and visual criteria. "Methods of vegetation establishment" is particularly detailed and thus extremely valuable. The authors point out, however, that current research is insufficient to show how long each species will live and how each species will interact over the years atop roofs.

The very important aspect of different growing medium properties and functions is addressed in-depth, and comments are provided about particular types of materials, substrate depths, and accompanying vegetative possibilities. Maintenance issues and requirements are briefly noted, touching on feeding, plant protection, drainage, and weeding.

Considerations of Natives and Introduced Species
The unexploited opportunities of testing and using native vegetation are explored, in terms of increasing biodiversity and aesthetic benefits. Regionally native plants should be tested for many reasons, including ecological restoration. Non-native plant species with invasive tendencies can be a problem, therefore careful selection is critical to maintain healthy ecosystems. Yet many introduced species are appropriate, and there are many circumstances where non-natives offer considerable local wildlife value.

Certain natural plant communities and their soil types are explained and presented as an argument for further study as suitable models for successful roof plantings. Trialing of appropriate local plant communities is therefore recommended and encouraged so as ultimately to be able to introduce more natives into the greenroof matrix of plant species.

"The natural habitats of potential roof-greening plants" explores the potential to discover and trial the world's flora found in similar harsh habitats. Mountain, high latitude, coastal, limestone, sclerophyllous woody vegetation, semi-desert environments, and species whose plants are exposed to climatic extremes are regions with potential for testing of new roof greening plants.

The Task Has Just Begun
Philosophy and advice to greenroof plant enthusiasts can be summed up with these reflections by the authors: "With roof greening becoming an important part of the new built environment, it is increasingly important that more attention is paid to sourcing new plant material from habitats in the wild where conditions approximate those on rooftops and other problem urban situations...The task of selecting suitable plant species for roof greening has arguably just begun, and it offers potentially enormous rewards."

They are quick to point out that the globalization of our knowledge base and the ready availability of certain aggressive species can threaten entire ecosystems, and care must be provided to the selection of greenroof environments (just as at ground level) so as to avoid invasive and potentially destructive non-natives or introduced species.

Façade Greening and Living Wall Structures and Surfaces are the final two chapters of the book, offering both visual and ecological climbers, clingers, ramblers and scramblers. New support structures, materials, technologies and details provide practical and interesting information for this older yet equally fascinating design element of green architecture. The authors examine how the design of façade greening can equally disguise unattractive features while at the same time enhance existing surfaces. In either case, education and care are necessary to promote vigorous growth that is supported by a variety of vertical and/or horizontal structures.

At the end of the book, 49 pages are devoted to the Roof-Greening and Façade-Greening Plant Directories, listed by botanical names, common names, cultivars and related species. The horticultural and cultural aspects are presented with definitions and listings of many specific plant characteristics.

A minor grumbling on my part about the book is the absence of identifying greenroof project photo captions for the geographic locations and the building application types. It would be beneficial to know not only where each is located, but also whether the project is commercial, industrial, residential, etc.

A Dovetailing of Living Plants, the Building, and Its Human Users
Whereas Ted Osmundson's excellent 1999 "Roof Gardens: History, Design, and Construction" is considered the bible for the intensive greenroof crowd, Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury's "Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls" is simply a must have for extensive and intensive greenroofers worldwide.

"Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls" is a comprehensive argument for integrating nature and architecture, and I highly recommend it. It's obvious that Kingsbury and Dunnett are first and foremost dedicated, ecologically minded plantspeople; here, then, is a very important work for those of us in the greenroof industry. ~ Linda S. Velazquez, Publisher Greenroofs.com

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