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Rating: 
Summary: Not for all
Review: A well written and illustrated guide to the 165 or so plants that grow well in the author's portion of California. The book must be faulted for not including plants that grow well and provide color in the arid and desert regions of the state. Certainly water wise gardening should be included. No mention is made of the use of California native plants in the garden. A beginning gardener will be better served by Sunset's WESTERN GARDEN BOOK. Those who will admit to living in an arid region (this includes Los Angeles) will find Eric Johnson's JOHNSON'S GUIDE TO GARDENING: PLANTS FOR THE ARID WEST of great value for its coverage of native plants. Desert gardeners will need the Coachella Valley Water District's LUSH & EFFICIENT: GARDENING IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY as their guide to effective desert gardening.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice supplement (though not essential)
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that Sunset's Western Garden Guide is the essential book. My only complaint with that book is while it is quite extensive, the small illustrated drawings are not always ideal for identifying unknown plants and the depth is occasionally lacking. I bought this book (cheap at a booksale) because it focused on a smaller number of plants (admittedly oriented toward Southern California), had nice big photographs of each plant and went into a little bit more depth (fertilizer ratios to use, specific planting directions, soil ph numbers, etc.)
Rating:
Summary: Nice supplement (though not essential)
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that Sunset's Western Garden Guide is the essential book. My only complaint with that book is while it is quite extensive, the small illustrated drawings are not always ideal for identifying unknown plants and the depth is occasionally lacking. I bought this book (cheap at a booksale) because it focused on a smaller number of plants (admittedly oriented toward Southern California), had nice big photographs of each plant and went into a little bit more depth (fertilizer ratios to use, specific planting directions, soil ph numbers, etc.)
Rating: 
Summary: California Gardeners Guide
Review: If you want something that lists a great deal of plants, look to the mainstays like "Sunset's Western Garden Book" or "American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants". What I like about this book is the full color illustrations, interesting lore about each plant, and the information about planting and problems with each type of plant.I see it more like a look into the authors' favorite plants, maybe a palette for landscaping, not a all encompasing guide in either taxinomy or technique. It would fail in that regard.
Rating:
Summary: Tries to cover too much ground
Review: Perfect for the new or advanced gardening enthusiast. Details shurbs, trees, ground cover, roses, berries, citrus trees, and more. Shows beautiful pictures, which plants attract bees/butterflies/hummingbirds, how to care for the plants, problems certain plants encounter and how to handle them, and much more. Gives suggestions on which plants grow best to eachother, which are fragrant, and the author's opinions on the best hybrids for each plant. Excellent choice to peruse for ideas for your outside landscaping needs in California.
Rating:
Summary: Well Done But Too General
Review: This book is nicely photographed, well-written, and proffers many good ideas for a California gardener. It is, however, somewhat skimpy when it comes to detailed information on any particular plant it addresses in these pages. I think most people would want more information on care and propagation of these specific plants.
Rating:
Summary: Nice companion book
Review: This book is ok because it has nice pictures and stories. I do like it because it has a "when to plant" reference as well as sun exposure, bloom time and color and other useful information. I'm a Northern California gardner and found this book to be somewhat specific to Southern California in plant selection, although they do show, for each plant, a map of Caifornia where each plant would grow. I found Northern California Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide by Katherine Grace Endicott a great book and of course Sunset's Western Garden book.
Rating:
Summary: Nice companion book
Review: This book is ok because it has nice pictures and stories. I do like it because it has a "when to plant" reference as well as sun exposure, bloom time and color and other useful information. I'm a Northern California gardner and found this book to be somewhat specific to Southern California in plant selection, although they do show, for each plant, a map of Caifornia where each plant would grow. I found Northern California Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide by Katherine Grace Endicott a great book and of course Sunset's Western Garden book.
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