Trees and Shrubs: A Gardeners Encyclopedia
by By Bryant, Geoff and Rodd, Tony
Category: Gardening , Reference

How to choose the best from over 1,500 trees and shrubs.    Trees and Shrubs contains all the information needed to find the right plants for any type of garden. With its compact and easy-to-use format, this book is perfect to take along to the nursery.    Using the comprehensive plant-selection tables, gardeners can see at a glance the most important characteristics of more than 1,500 trees and shrubs, helping them make the best choice for their garden's appearance and cultivation requirements.    The first part of Trees and Shrubs is the plant tables, which are organized by species name and list the plant's characteristics. These are:    Height and spread  Tree, shrub or conifer  Cool, warm-temperate,            subtropical or tropical climate  Full sun, half-sun, heavy shade  Flowering season  Deciduous or evergreen  Showy foliage, showy flowers  Flowering season  Suitability to container planting  Indoor use  Frost tolerance    Having chosen a plant from the table, the gardener then turns to the book's second part, which describes the more than 1,500 species, cultivars and hybrids in greater detail. This includes growing zones and common names, as well as the plants' origins, color variations, growth habit (whether, for example, the shrub is slow growing), propagation techniques, recommended uses, problem parasites or diseases, and extra cultivation notes. Color photographs illustrate a select number of plants.    Trees and shrubs are costly, and it's             despairing to plant a new one only to see it fail. Trees and Shrubs helps gardeners choose the right plant for the right place--and that is the key to a beautiful and successful garden.