Rating: 
Summary: The most useful gardening book in our library
Review: I'm not sure we could get along without the Sunset Western Garden Book: it's the first book in our gardening library that we reach for, and the only one we need 80% of the time. We carry it with us as we shop plant nurseries, and have it along when perusing public gardens and arboretums. The heart of the book is the plant encyclopedia-a truly comprehensive listing including detailed planting and care instructions-which is coordinated with Sunset's 24 climate zones. These map even the microclimates a few miles across that exist in Western US coastal areas. I rather think the plant encyclopedia would be useful for gardeners anywhere, and especially for those who garden in a Mediterranean climate like that of coastal California
Rating: 
Summary: thumbs down
Review: If you could only have one garden book and you live in the west, this is the one to choose. It is an absolutely indispensable tool for the novice and master gardener alike. Any question regarding a particular plant can usually be answered quickly and easily through this resource. As editor Kathleen N. Brenzel states in the dedication, "This book remains a no-nonsense garden guide for Westerners, built upon the rich legacy of previous editions." It is a guide designed purposely to bring gardening in the west into the new millennium .One of my key questions before purchasing this book was if there were significant improvements over the 1995 which justified the expense of a new copy. That is a question which each individual should assess. The new 2001 edition has significant improvements over the 1995 edition. 2001 contains 768 pages as compared to the 624 of the 1995. The first section of this edition is "Gardening for the New Century" with a look to traditions of the past and ideas for the future. The Sunset division of climate zones has always been meticulous and more precise than other zone guides. The West has so many micro-climates which are separated by short distances and differ by altitude, morning fog and delta breezes that it is important in choosing plants to know which are likely to survive in your zone. The big addition to the latest edition is that it is inclusive of Alaska, Hawaii and Western Canada. For gardeners who live in these areas, Sunset has now made their day. The ever thoughtful Plant Selection Section has been reworked to include divisions for color, basic landscaping, special situation and problem solvers. The problem solver is particularly helpful including plants to use for dry areas, shade, seacoast and deer resistant plants. The meat of the Garden Book has always been its encyclopedia and continues to be. When choosing a plant from a nursery this reference guide is critical. Editors took extra care to make this section even more attractive by including color illustrations of many of the plants. For each plant information included describes zones where they will thrive, exposure to sun, amount of water necessary and if the plant is poisonous. The Practical Guide to Gardening section provides information on various gardening techniques, problems and pest. Information on weeds, gardening to attract wildlife and drip systems are included in this section. The last two sections of the Western Garden Book are Public and Historic Gardens and the new Gardening Glossary which is quite helpful to the novice gardener. The Western Garden Book continues to be an invaluable resource for gardeners of the west. Those who already have the 1995 edition but who feel the need to have all the latest in information and equipment should purchase this edition. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska and Western Canada should be thrilled with this edition. Anyone who is planning a new landscape would also be advised to have the most current version of The Western Garden Book. Kudos yet again to Sunset for their excellent work.
Rating:
Summary: The One to Have
Review: If you could only have one garden book and you live in the west, this is the one to choose. It is an absolutely indispensable tool for the novice and master gardener alike. Any question regarding a particular plant can usually be answered quickly and easily through this resource. As editor Kathleen N. Brenzel states in the dedication, "This book remains a no-nonsense garden guide for Westerners, built upon the rich legacy of previous editions." It is a guide designed purposely to bring gardening in the west into the new millennium . One of my key questions before purchasing this book was if there were significant improvements over the 1995 which justified the expense of a new copy. That is a question which each individual should assess. The new 2001 edition has significant improvements over the 1995 edition. 2001 contains 768 pages as compared to the 624 of the 1995. The first section of this edition is "Gardening for the New Century" with a look to traditions of the past and ideas for the future. The Sunset division of climate zones has always been meticulous and more precise than other zone guides. The West has so many micro-climates which are separated by short distances and differ by altitude, morning fog and delta breezes that it is important in choosing plants to know which are likely to survive in your zone. The big addition to the latest edition is that it is inclusive of Alaska, Hawaii and Western Canada. For gardeners who live in these areas, Sunset has now made their day. The ever thoughtful Plant Selection Section has been reworked to include divisions for color, basic landscaping, special situation and problem solvers. The problem solver is particularly helpful including plants to use for dry areas, shade, seacoast and deer resistant plants. The meat of the Garden Book has always been its encyclopedia and continues to be. When choosing a plant from a nursery this reference guide is critical. Editors took extra care to make this section even more attractive by including color illustrations of many of the plants. For each plant information included describes zones where they will thrive, exposure to sun, amount of water necessary and if the plant is poisonous. The Practical Guide to Gardening section provides information on various gardening techniques, problems and pest. Information on weeds, gardening to attract wildlife and drip systems are included in this section. The last two sections of the Western Garden Book are Public and Historic Gardens and the new Gardening Glossary which is quite helpful to the novice gardener. The Western Garden Book continues to be an invaluable resource for gardeners of the west. Those who already have the 1995 edition but who feel the need to have all the latest in information and equipment should purchase this edition. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska and Western Canada should be thrilled with this edition. Anyone who is planning a new landscape would also be advised to have the most current version of The Western Garden Book. Kudos yet again to Sunset for their excellent work.
Rating:
Summary: western garden book
Review: If you live in the West,and have only one book for gardening, this should be it. The 1967 version listed plants only by botanical name in the Special Situations section, so you had to look each one up if you didn't know the plants by botanical name. The updated version lists common name, botanical name, sun and water requirements, and has pictures of most of them. This, in addition to the entire alphabetical encylopedia of plants. There is no book like it for western gardeners.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE FOR THE WESTERN GARDENER, EASY TO READ
Review: If you only have one book on gardening, this is the one to have. Easy to understand, great cross referencing. Virtually every plant you can buy in a nursery is in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than a bag of magic beans
Review: If you want to grow something, this book is a must have. Full of detail on what types of things grow best based on your geographic "zone". Pictures galore and many helpful how-to diagrams on pruning, staking, irrigation and more. It's a little like slogging through an encyclopedia so you won't necessarily go cover to cover. But if you have a specific need, say "why are my tomato plants yellow?" - this is a great resource. Hardcover is a must - you'll want this one to last you a few years.
Rating:
Summary: Better than a bag of magic beans
Review: If you want to grow something, this book is a must have. Full of detail on what types of things grow best based on your geographic "zone". Pictures galore and many helpful how-to diagrams on pruning, staking, irrigation and more. It's a little like slogging through an encyclopedia so you won't necessarily go cover to cover. But if you have a specific need, say "why are my tomato plants yellow?" - this is a great resource. Hardcover is a must - you'll want this one to last you a few years.
Rating:
Summary: The "Bible"
Review: Most gardening books are written for the Midwest and eastern U.S. but this book takes into account the climate and soils unique to the West. From trees, to houseplants, to western natives, this book is very comprehensive. Pardon the cliche, but if you can only have one gardening book make it this one.
Rating:
Summary: the bible
Review: Sunset Western Garden Book is the Bible,Dictionary and Thesaurus of gardening books. The most important part of the modern,updated version is the emphasis on more natural ways to garden,using less pesticides. I felt incomplete without a copy of my own.
Rating:
Summary: the bible
Review: Sunset Western Garden Book is the Bible,Dictionary and Thesaurus of gardening books. The most important part of the modern,updated version is the emphasis on more natural ways to garden,using less pesticides. I felt incomplete without a copy of my own.
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