Armitage's Garden Annuals: A Color Encyclopedia

Rating:
Summary: Armitage's Garden Annuals: A Color Encyclopedia
Review: Armitage (horticulture, Univ. of Georgia, Athens) has written a companion volume to his Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials. This new encyclopedia, lavishly illustrated with over 1300 color photographs, explores the range of annuals from the well-known petunia to the more unusual, less well known Ganges primrose. Arranged by scientific name, each entry includes common name, descriptions of selected species and cultivars, and recommendations of cultivars that perform well. The book also includes lists of annuals for various uses, e.g., edging, foliage, shade, or fragrance. An easy conversational style and personal anecdotes make for enjoyable reading, but there is minimal cultural information; gardeners, may want to turn to Armitage's Manual for such details, although the manual lacks the photos of this new resource. While Armitage's Garden Annuals will be useful for experienced gardeners looking for ideas beyond traditional bedding plants, beginners will find Taylor's Guide to Annuals less intimidating

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent book by Allan Armitage and Timber Press
Review: Mr. Armitage is following the format utilized by his earlier book "Armitage's Garden Perennials" and Michael Dirr's "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs", providing frank information of common and obscure annuals. Comments such as "Bananas...If you are reading this and are not thinking, 'this guy is nuts!', then you are an open-minded gardener, and we can drink beer together." are what makes this a good book. But the pictures are outstanding. If this book had no words other than the description below the picture, it would be an outstanding book. I now have all the reference I need along with "Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials". I just need a bigger bookshelf....

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent book by Allan Armitage and Timber Press
Review: Mr. Armitage is following the format utilized by his earlier book "Armitage's Garden Perennials" and Michael Dirr's "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs", providing frank information of common and obscure annuals. Comments such as "Bananas...If you are reading this and are not thinking, 'this guy is nuts!', then you are an open-minded gardener, and we can drink beer together." are what makes this a good book. But the pictures are outstanding. If this book had no words other than the description below the picture, it would be an outstanding book. I now have all the reference I need along with "Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials". I just need a bigger bookshelf....