Western Garden Book

Rating:
Summary: Abolutely essencial!
Review: As a garden adviser here in Portugal there is no other book that I would recomend for both the novice or addict for consise and precise advise on all aspects of gardening and landscaping. The most important feature is it's extremely easy to use climate guide dealing with both aspects of plant hardiness. Simply see what already grows in your area, compare this it's zone rating and you will see what else will grow and more importantly what is not worth trying and why. Worth every penny.

Rating:
Summary: Buy the hardback version.
Review: Buy the hardback version because this book will get your fingers walking frequently. The first book I reach for and often the only one I need. For me it is particularly helpful for desert plant selection and descriptions, but any western gardner will find a wealth of information. There are 24 sections on plant selection for specific needs and situations including shade, color, site, fragrance, native, season, foliage, compatibility, birds/butterflies, and others. Color plates accompany many of the selections along with growing requirments. Double index of gardening topics and common/scientific names. Excellent sketches of 6000 individual plants with similar family members. Much peripheral info such as how to read scientific names, pest problems/solutions, resourses, fine tuning of climatic zones. This is a fine reference book. An excellent source for new and experienced gardners.

Rating:
Summary: Fledgling gardener LOVES this resource
Review: Denver, Colorado. Besides its other sections (Weeds, Fragrant Plants, How to Prune, etc.) the majority of this book is a catalog of plants, with a small, very helpful drawing of each plant and a description of the plant, its zones, its hardiness and so on. I've learned soooo much from thumbing through this book. I recommend it as a cornerstone book in your gardening library. Mine is full of margin notes, highlighting pen and post-it notes. A great housewarming present

Rating:
Summary: GREAT FOR QUICK FIND OF INFORMATIOM
Review: I AM A CERTIFIED NURSERYMAN AND I USE THIS BOOK ALL THE TIME. I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY PLANTS TREES OR SHRUBS YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: thumbs down
Review: I am not a fan of this book though it gets rave reviews. There are very few photographs, and it is impossible to use as a plant identification guide. Big thumbs down all around.

Rating:
Summary: Everything I was hoping Sunset would provide!
Review: I have anticipated this newest edition of "Sunset" for several years, and find it to be all that I have hoped it COULD be. As a nurseryperson fully aware of all the newer cultivars being made readily available to the public, I am very pleased to see that Sunset has obviously consulted with growers and distributors in order to provide information on many new genus and species available to the consumer. This newest edition contains a beautifully done introduction which defines gardening IN TANDEM with Nature in very inspiring form, complete with tantalizing photographs. The Plant Encyclodpedia now includes color in its renderings of plants, in addition to listing many "new" cultivars and charts for plant families with many cultivars. The special Guide to Plant Selection has been re-done beautifully with valuable enhancements to the previous edition. The re-worked Practical Guide to Gardening at the back has been done in a very comprehensive manner, providing many wonderful charts and graphics which "teach" effectively. No matter how many previous editions of Sunset you might own, adding this Millenium edition is well worth the investment. With this newest edition, it seems Sunset has finally caught up with the gardening times!

Rating:
Summary: Everything I was hoping Sunset would provide!
Review: I have anticipated this newest edition of "Sunset" for several years, and find it to be all that I have hoped it COULD be. As a nurseryperson fully aware of all the newer cultivars being made readily available to the public, I am very pleased to see that Sunset has obviously consulted with growers and distributors in order to provide information on many new genus and species available to the consumer. This newest edition contains a beautifully done introduction which defines gardening IN TANDEM with Nature in very inspiring form, complete with tantalizing photographs. The Plant Encyclodpedia now includes color in its renderings of plants, in addition to listing many "new" cultivars and charts for plant families with many cultivars. The special Guide to Plant Selection has been re-done beautifully with valuable enhancements to the previous edition. The re-worked Practical Guide to Gardening at the back has been done in a very comprehensive manner, providing many wonderful charts and graphics which "teach" effectively. No matter how many previous editions of Sunset you might own, adding this Millenium edition is well worth the investment. With this newest edition, it seems Sunset has finally caught up with the gardening times!

Rating:
Summary: Everything I was hoping Sunset would provide!
Review: I have anticipated this newest edition of "Sunset" for several years, and find it to be all that I have hoped it COULD be. As a nurseryperson fully aware of all the newer cultivars being made readily available to the public, I am very pleased to see that Sunset has obviously consulted with growers and distributors in order to provide information on many new genus and species available to the consumer. This newest edition contains a beautifully done introduction which defines gardening IN TANDEM with Nature in very inspiring form, complete with tantalizing photographs. The Plant Encyclodpedia now includes color in its renderings of plants, in addition to listing many "new" cultivars and charts for plant families with many cultivars. The special Guide to Plant Selection has been re-done beautifully with valuable enhancements to the previous edition. The re-worked Practical Guide to Gardening at the back has been done in a very comprehensive manner, providing many wonderful charts and graphics which "teach" effectively. No matter how many previous editions of Sunset you might own, adding this Millenium edition is well worth the investment. With this newest edition, it seems Sunset has finally caught up with the gardening times!

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I really love this book! I always consult the book before buying any plants; it helps me avoid buying something not suited to my area! Also, by knowing what kind of plant I bought, I learn how to take care of it (eg sun & water requirements, type of soil) and know what kind of diseases and pest I should look out for for that particular plant. This is really an awesome book. The best investment I made for my garden!

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I really love this book! I always consult the book before buying any plants; it helps me avoid buying something not suited to my area! Also, by knowing what kind of plant I bought, I learn how to take care of it (eg sun & water requirements, type of soil) and know what kind of diseases and pest I should look out for for that particular plant. This is really an awesome book. The best investment I made for my garden!