Reviews (20)

Wildflowers made easy: an indispensable reference.
If you're going to buy just one book on wildflower identification, this is it. While not foolproof, this system is the best I've seen. It beats by far other methods using color and shape of flower, as used in the Audubon and Peterson field guides (though both the latter have their place, and you should get both if you're really serious).

A most unique aspect of this book is that it includes shrubs as well as plants normally considered wildflowers, adding greatly to its utility for the amateur observer.

Simple System Eases Wildflower Identification
The author's system allows even amateurs like me to quickly and accurately identify wildflowers.

It is as simple as answering five questions which point the user to the appropriate page in the book where the flower is described and pictured. The text is great. The first sentence of each description distinguishes that plant from all others in that group.

If you are looking for a wildflower guide, they do not get better than this one.

Hands-down best (for the Northeast)
This is the easiest-to-use and most thorough flower guide I've ever seen. Yes, most illustrations are black-and-white. It's an initial disappointment; however, the quick and sure five-step identification process is worth the lack of color (and the drawings are expertly done). It's much more complete than, say, the Audubon guide. Newcomb has yet to leave me stumped for the identity of any flowering plant. As has been noted, this guide is valid for the Northeast U.S., from Virginia-Kentucky up; and for Canada from Thunder Bay to Newfoundland. I wish the rest of you had a version -- it's indispensible.

Nice book, but..
there's no way to tell from the web pages, but this book is only about wildflowers in the Northeast portion of the U.S., didn't do me much good in California.
Was a Christmas gift that will be returned.
Amazon.com should make it plain that it's regional.

A useful book
Newcomb's guide is a great book, once you get past the initial training period. For those of us used to flipping through pictures of flowers and fruit until we think we have the right one, this book can be initially off-putting.

My advice...get used to it. Newcomb's system is more efficient and more certain than flower-flipping. A good book. ... Read more

Book Description

Looking for a faster, easier, and fun way to identify plants?Botany in a Day teaches you the patterns method of plant identification, so that you can discover the wonderful world of plants around you, wherever you go.

Instead of trying to identify plants one-at-a-time, Botany in a Day give you a way to learn them by the hundreds, based on the principle that related plants have similar patterns for indentification, and they often have similar uses.

The one-day tutorial included in the text teaches you seven key patterns to recognize more than 45,000 species of plants worldwide.Master these seven patterns and you will be ready to use the included reference guide--Thomas J. Elpel's Herbal Field Guide to Plant Families of North America.Here you will find the patterns for indentification and the patterns of uses for the majority of plants across the continent.

Botany in a Day is used as a guide by thousands of individuals, plus herbal schools and universities across North America. ... Read more

Book Description

Nothing is as colorful as a field of wildflowers in full-bloom so what could be more appropriate than a magnificent field guide with beautiful full-color photographs? More than 1,000 species are covered in full detail, with notes on more than 400 others. The 700 identification photographs show wildflowers-including grasses and sedges, and many flowering vines and shrubs-in their natural habitats.

Note: the Eastern Edition generally covers states east of the Rocky Mountains, while the Western Edition covers the Rocky Mountain range and all the states to the west of it. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Recommended
These audubon field guide books are great. Beautifully bound and easy to use with great photographs and detailed descriptions of each species. Also, they are the perfect size for your shirt or pants pocket.

Great exercise
My husband bought this book in 1980 after his heart attack. He used it to go into the preserve across the street. He would get exercise as well as an education.

Excellent
I had to collect wildflowers during the summer for an Honors Biology class. The field guides we were given were ones with drawings instead of photographs. It was very hard to correctly identify the wildflower with only a drawing. This field guide is excellent. You identify the flowers with color photographs, and the book gives a fairly in-depth description on the flower, habitat, range, and other comments about the flower. I would recommend this guide to anyone who has to identify wildflowers for school, or just enjoys identifying for pleasure.

Excellent Guide, Easy to Use
I have another wildflower guide which I tried using and was very frustrated with their drawings and color plates. I bought this guide out of desperation---and am completely satisfied. Its simple and easy to use. The flowers are easier to identify with color photography, complete with close up caption. Descriptions are listed later. Not everything is jumbled together, so that your'e fumbling out there around through so many pages. So easy to use. The flowers are more generalized than specific---you won't find 50 examples of a violet--but you'll find several at best. It depends on how detailed you want to get. Quick, ready to use guide that fits perfectly in your husbands fishing vest or in a backpack. Go for it!

Best I've seen
Excellent guide -- good photographs organized by color and blossom shape, cross-referenced to detailed classification and habitat information. By far the easiest classification guide I've used (and I've tried many). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Resource for Landscape Architects
Booth and Hiss describe in much detail the design process for residential landscapes. They strike a proper balance between basic design concepts and essential business knowledge. Landscape design students would do well to internalize the process described here, since the book's practical focus is unlikely to be duplicated in their Landscape Architecture curriculum.

Excellent
This book is truly a gem -- it clearly and concisely explains every imaginable aspect of residential landscape design using very straigtforward and easy to understand text and diagrams.

Ignore the fact that this seems to have been written as some sort of textbook for a beginer's course for professional landscape architects. I am an ordinary homeowner and I found the book to be easy and enjoyable to read, and quite educational. I now feel like I understand enough to design a professional quality landscape for my own home.

In case it matters, I own the second edition (Amazon is now selling the third edition). I can only assume that this latest edition is even better than the edition I have.

designing with ease!
what an outstanding book! i discovered this book during a course in garden planning that i'm taking this semester( i'm a student at the faculty of agriculture at the uni of jerusalem, in isreal) and it practically has all that you need to plan a super garden: the illustations are clear to understand, are varriable and give plenty of examples and of course ideas. the solutions to a lot of problems i encountered while trying to plan different spaces and gardens during my course, were solved with ease after looking through this easy to understand book. i dearly recommend any one with even the slightest love or nearness to gardening , design or just plain old mother nature to go out and get this book - it will surely help you get your house and garden design going in the right direction. ... Read more

Book Description

This book focuses readers on the function of plants and the role they play in our world. The authors emphasize the scientific method to help readers develop the critical thinking skills they need to make sound decisions throughout life. This focus on how plants work and the development of critical thinking skills together support the ultimate goal of developing scientific literacy.This book is organized around the themes of DNA science, global ecology, and evolution.The key concepts discussed in the book are molecules, cells and microbes; plant structure and reproduction; and, plant diversity and the environment.For anyone interested in botany (plant biology). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great reference book with lots of nice photos
I've known many biology textbooks, but this has the nicest and best photos you could ever find. Though this book mainly aims for non-majors, I, a botany graduate student, still find it very useful and informative. Highly recommend this for people who want to know about general plant biology, but have been intimidated by heavy, thick textbooks. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on the author's life-long practical experiences both in the industry and in research, this best-selling, state-of-the-art guide to the operation of commercial flower and vegetable greenhouses presents coverage in the order in which decision-making concerns occur. Exceptionally comprehensive—yet accessible—it provides detailed, step-by-step instructions in layman's terms for ALL aspects of the business—from the physical facilities, to the day-to-day operations, to business management and marketing.Specific chapter topics cover greenhouse construction, heating, and cooling; environmental control systems; root substrate; root substrate pasteurization; watering; fertilization; alternative cropping system; carbon dioxide fertilization; light and temperature; chemical growth regulation; insect control; disease control; postproduction quality; marketing; and business management.For individuals entering the greenhouse business. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent textbook
Nelson's text is probably the most widely used on college campuses offering greenhouse management. It is up to date, full of technical information, and the chapters are well-ordered.

My only complaint is that it is VERY badly formatted and so, difficult to read. Like the Biblical book of Numbers, it will have you sawing logs if read at bedtime. The publisher could learn alot from Boodley's The Commercial Greenhouse, which is much more readable. ... Read more

Book Description

With this Third Edition, the authors and contributors set a new standard for textbooks in the field by tailoring the study of plant physiology to virtually every student—providing the basics for introductory courses without sacrificing the more challenging material sought by upper-division and graduate-level students.

Key pedagogical changes to the text will result in a shorter book. Material typically considered prerequisite for plant physiology courses, as well as advanced material from the Second Edition, will be removed and posted at an affiliated Web site, while many new or revised figures and photographs (now in full color), study questions, and a glossary of key terms will be added. Despite the streamlining of the text, the new edition incorporates all the important new developments in plant physiology, especially in cell, molecular, and developmental biology.

The Third Edition's interactive Web component is keyed to textbook chapters and referenced from the book. It includes WebTopics (elaborating on selected topics discussed in the text), WebEssays (discussions of cutting-edge research topics, written by those who did the work), additional study questions (by chapter), additional references, and suggestions for further reading. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

an excellent review on plant physiology for students
I teach plant physiology at the University of paris. I have bought the first edition of this boor five years ago and I have bought the new one about one month ago. It was a concise, clear and well up to date documented review. I appreciate particularly all the section on bioenergetic and transport in solutes in relation with morphology and development of the plant. I appreciate also very much the part on the influence of the light either for the classical phytochrome or to the appartition of the effect on the blue light. Scheme are simple, but precise and well descibed. This book was a very good intermediate between books of pure biochemistry or pure morphology.All information is integrated and well discussed. In the domain of the plant physiology I think really on my knowledge that this book was actually, in the domain of the plant physiology, one of the best review, and perhaps the better.

It is a useful tool for understanding plant physiology.
I teach plant physiology for biological sciences students in Bogotá, Colombia. I think this book is excelent. Also, it is written in a comprehensive English, and explains clearly the principles of plant physiology for everyboby including Spanish speakers. It is a very good way to motivate undergraduate students with the knowledge in plant physiology. I would liKe to congratulate the authors.

New Edition
The Second Edition of Plant Physiology builds on the strengths of the First Edition by integrating modern, state-of-the-art approaches to the study of plant function, particularly in the areas of gene regulation and molecular genetics, cell biology and signal transduction, and bioenergetics, into the framework of traditional plant physiology. The Second Edition also reflects the growing importance and prominence of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology in the field of plant physiology. Each chapter has been thoroughly revised to reflect new developments in the field. In addition, several new chapters have been added, including chapters on "Cell Walls," "Growth, Development and Differentiation," and "Blue Light Responses." A new chapter entitled "Gene Expression and Signal Transduction" provides a summary of current models for the control of gene expression and cell signaling pathways in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, parti! cularly those topics relevant to plants. As in the First Edition, expert contributing authors provide authoritative accounts that include important recent advances in their fields. These contributions are integrated into the unified style that made the First Edition a benchmark in the teaching of Plant Physiology. The Second Edition is extensively illustrated and will be published in two colors.

Excelent. Very clearly written. Good figures.
Nothing else to say. Is there a new edition? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Reference
This book is awesome for finding taxonomic ranks, especially that above family status. I work with plant ID's and really use this book to help with finding the obscure ones.

Wonderful reference!
Once again Wendy Zomlefer has provided us with a beautiful, yet very functional, work of art. This book is an excelent reference for both the general public and the seasoned botanist. ... Read more

Book Description

WESTERN REGION

This fully revised edition brings a new level of beauty, accuracy, and usefulness to the field guide that wildflower enthusiasts have relied upon for more than 20 years.

More than 940 all-new, full-color images show the wildflowers of western North America close-up and in their natural habitats. The guide has been completely revised to make identification in the field easier than ever. Images are grouped by flower color and shape and keyed to clear, concise descriptions that reflect current taxonomy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Nice book for the trail
All of Audobon's books are great because they will fit in a pocket or day-pack. Nicely organized and includes awesome full color pictures that really help in the identification. The information on the flowers is very extensive. A must for anyone who likes flowers and wants to know what kind they have.

What Kind of Wildflower is This, Dad?
"What kind of wildflower is this, Dad?"

"I don't know?"

"Is it poisonous?"

"I don't know."

"It's sure pretty."

"Yes, it is pretty."

The above was always my reply to my children's questions about the wildflowers we saw whenever we took our family journeys into the Great Basin Desert, or high into the Pahvant Mountains. I got tired of saying, "I don't know." Well, because of the "National Audubon Society's Field Guide to Wildflowers" (Wester Edition) I know now, to tell my children to stay away from the (poisonous) Water Hemlock which I always thought previously was wild carrots. Now I can answer their question and impress them with my knowledge at the same time.

I would like to suggest this field guide to any of you family outdoor enthusiasts, especially fathers, so you don't get caught in the I don't know syndrome. The same applies for all the birds you see on your excursions--"What kind of bird is that, Dad?"--sound familiar? Well don't fret, you can click on my name, in this review, and find a field guide to Birds. Then you'll be doubly prepared.

Good luck,

from a father like you.

Excellent field guide for wildflowers with extensive photos
I take this (as well as the Peterson Field Guide to Pacific States Wildflowers) with me on all my wildflower hunting trips. The extensive color photos are extremely helpful for identifying wildflowers. Flowers are organized by color. This has by far more real flower pictures than the Peterson Field Guide. ... Read more

Book Description

From this modern and profusely illustrated book, the reader will learn not just the basics, which are amply reviewed, but also how plant anatomy is integrated with a wide variety of other disciplines, such as plant breeding, forensic analysis, medicine, food science, wood and fiber products, and the arts. The author presents the basic concepts and terminology of plant anatomy with a special emphasis on its significance and applications to other disciplines, and addresses the central role of anatomy by consolidating previously scattered information into a single volume. Integrative Plant Anatomy highlights the important contribution made by studying anatomy to the solutions of a number of present and future problems.It succeeds in integrating diverse areas of botany, as well as the non-biological sciences, the arts, and numerous other fields of human endeavor.

* Presents both the classical and modern approaches to the subject
* Teaches the importance of the subject to other disciplines such as the nonbiological sciences, the arts, and other fields of human endeavor
* Written and organized to be useful to students and instructors, but also to be accessible and appealing to a general audience
* Bridges the gap between conventional textbooks and comprehensive reference works
* Includes key terms and extensive additional readings
* Richly illustrated with line drawings and photographs ... Read more

Book Description

There's something magical about a cabin set among tree branches. It excites adults and tempts children away from sedentary pursuits to a world of outdoor fantasy. Treehouses come in all shapes and sizes, from a simple deck in the sky to an elaborate complex of interconnecting structures far above the ground. They can be romantic, luxurious, or designed for entertaining friends. This engaging book contains some of the most interesting examples from around the world, and also features a wide range of interiors, designed for various functions. It's an invaluable source of lofty ideas for anyone contemplating a move up-into the trees. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BUYER BEWARE!
The book I recieved is Ultimate Treehouses by David Clark, but it doesn't look like the one pictured. That photo is not in this copy, and the print quality is rather low on mine.

Buyer Beware!
I ordered the book from Amazon, the book pictured is NOT the one I recieved. That photo is no where in my copy. I do have a book titled Ultimate Treehouses by David Clark but it isn't the same one pictured. ... Read more

Book Description

The first resource of its kind, this reference assembles current research in crop plant physiology, plant biotechnology, and plant breeding to genetically improve crop plants while supporting a productive agriculture ecosystem—providing the most innovative perspectives and molecular approaches in crop physiology for the formulation of superior crop cultivars that potentially increase yield in stress environments. ... Read more

Book Description

Grouped by color and by plant characteristics, 1,293 species in 84 families are described and illustrated. Included here are all the flowers you're most likely to encounter in the eastern and north-central U.S., westward to the Dakotas and southward to North Carolina and Arkansas, as well as the adjacent parts of Canada. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Easiest book for everyone
I've been teaching in the outdoors using field guides with novices for 18 years, so I offer this advice to assist beginners in choosing a wildflower guide. I have used both this book and the Newcomb book and greatly prefer this one, although Newcomb's is very good. Newcomb's uses a series of keys, which I guess some people find more "sophisticated." Although the key in Newcombs isn't hard to use, I find that the Peterson guide is faster and easier to use in the field. I have also observed that beginners are less likely to make mistakes using the Peterson wildflower guide. The big plus of the Peterson book is the identification system. The flowers are first arranged by color and the book is color coded. Although wild plants may not always be showing their flower colors, 9 times out of ten when the amateur is identifying a flowering plant, it will be in bloom. You can use the Peterson guide to learn the key characterisitics of a blooming plant so that later on when it is not blooming you will still be able to find it in the book and recoginze it.

In the next stage of the Peterson wildflower guide's organization, the plants are arranged by similar visual characteristics. There is a simple outline and description of this system at the beginning of the book. The book utilizes helpful icons, which are featured at the tops of all the descriptive pages for quick thumb-through reference. I have found this icon system very helpful in teaching plant identification because it provides a systematic approach that the beginner can pick up quickly and easily. The Peterson system greatly facilitates intial accuracy of identification at the level of plant family. Once you learn the system of what to look for when observing a plant, the icons allow speed and efficiency when using the book in the field.

At the final stage of identification, the species level, the Peterson guide has excellent written descriptions and the important subtle differences between species are well highlighted, with both text and arrows on the drawings. As other reviewers have stated, the Peterson book has more illustrations than Newcomb, and the highlighted habitat/range descriptions also help in quickly placing a plant. The black and white illustrations are not bothersome since you already know the flower color, and line drawings show key characteristics clearly. The use of illustrations instead of photos is always preferred in a field guide, even though photos seem like a good idea at first glance. A good illustrator shows the plant in the best light and makes sure the key features are visible and prominent.

Best For Laymen
I have used this book for 20 years to identify wildflowers successfully; the drawings and paintings capture the essence of the flower in a way no photo does; the book includes many less commonly found plants so you are more likely to find what you're looking for; and it is organized by flower color which is most likely to be what drew your attention in the first place. Excellent reference, easily used.

A Very Useful Guide
I own several wildflower identification books, and this one is among my favorites. I often use it in conjunction with other books, but it also does well on its own. I like the fact that the subjects are listed by color - this makes it much easier for me to differentiate species when out in the woods. I have given this book as a gift to flower-loving friends.

Helpful tool in conjunction with other sources.
Though I personally prefer Newcomb's Wildflower Guide over this one, I have found that when in doubt after reading Newcomb's description of a plant, this book helps me decide whether or not it is correct. It's smart to always use more than one guide for identifying plants because different authors notice different qualities that they think are important. I'm not too keen on identifying any plant by the color of the flower, because it limits the amount of time you have to identify a plant. Newcomb's system is much, much better for finding plants that are not in bloom, though part of the key relies on flower parts. Until someone comes up with an easy key for identifying plants based on vegetation only, I suggest buying both this book and Newcomb's book.

Don't waste your money on this book.
I found this book to be of minimal use. It contains only around 20 color plates and the rest is black and white photos which do little to help identify a flower in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

Daylilies have been developed into a striking array of colorful hybrids from a small group of species in the genus Hemerocallis. These parent species are discussed and pictured in this comprehensive encyclopedia, but it focuses primarily on the amazing developments that have been achieved through plant breeding. Hundreds of new daylilies are introduced each year, and no other single book describes and illustrates so many of these remarkable flowers.

Close-up photographs illustrate more than 1200 daylilies, showing the detailed characteristics that hybridizers look for and work for. Each photo is accompanied by a thorough description of the daylily’s color, size, bloom season, and parentage. In addition to the pictorial encyclopedia, the book offers extensive information on cultivation and breeding. It concludes with a glimpse into the future, showing new hybrids not yet introduced, plants found today only in the seedling fields of private nurseries.

For experienced daylily hybridizers, the book is an invaluable reference for colors and designs that have already been created. By studying the illustrations, breeders can identify characteristics they would like to expand upon in future crosses. Gardeners at any level of experience will revel in the possibilities offered by the exquisite forms, colors, and patterns available. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Pretty, Pretty Pictures
You will not find another book with such a variety of beautiful photos of daylilies. For daylily growers that want the most comprhensive photo gallery available to date. I would have enjoyed more details about the parentage of these beautiful daylilies. Munsen and Hill are tops for information but Petit's Encyclopedia is by far the pick for beautiful photos. I am sure the five stars this book received from reviewers was based on the hundreds of excellent color and variety of daylily types. If you like lots of top notch photos this is the best!!!

excellent
This book is full of daylily descriptions and beautiful photos. Very good reference book.

Daylily lovers delight
Excellent book full of eye candy for the daylily lover. The basics have all been covered in other books, but what really makes this book stand out is the pictures. And what pictures! The organization of the book was nice too - chapters to reds, pinks, purples, unusual forms, etc. I have found this book helpful when shopping for daylilies (especially on-line) since I can often find a picture reference for a plant I am considering. My one complaint? While the whole book shows efforts of a wide range of hybridizers, quite a few of today's well known and/or top hybridizers are not shown in the chapter "Daylilies of the Future". Were they not asked to contribute? Did they choose not to contribute? I'm not sure of the answer but they were much missed by me. Otherwise - excellent reference and fun!

wow
if you are interested in day liles this is a must have. excellent pictures to idenify your day lilies.

Daylily Passion
I have six books on daylilies, including "Daylilies A Fifty Year Affair," "Hemerocallis, The Daylily," and "A Passion For Daylilies" and grow the "latest and greatest" daylilies available today.

If I could only keep one book "The Color Encyclopedia of Daylilies" would be the one I would keep.

The color photos are the most extensive and complete of all the books published so far. It includes many selections of the new "Unusual Form" classification as well as all of the other classes. It shows many of the new traits exhibited in modern dayliles including sculpting, cordoury, polytepal, spiders and spider variants, "bagels" double edges, and more It also has the most comprehensive coverage of hybridizers to date. ... Read more

Book Description

Contemporary legislation respecting environmental protection and public health, at both national and international levels, are based on data that characterize chemical properties of environmental phenomena, especially those that reside in our food chain. Thus, environmental and food quality are now matters of major public concern and therefore a system of metrology in trace analysis has recently been developed at the international level.This new edition of a bestseller highlights the significance of anthropogenic factors in changing the trace element status in soils and plants. Written by Dr. Alina Kabata-Pendias, a world-renowned plant and soil scientist, Trace Elements in Soil and Plants, Third Edition incorporates recent data from about 400 respected sources. These data present the most recent research on topical issues such as the assessment of natural/background content of trace elements in soil; bioindication of chemical status of environmental compartments; soil remediation; and hyperaccumulation and hyperextraction of trace metals from the soil. Discussions of the health-related significance of trace elements in food are also included.This third edition presents an overview of the principal pathways from soils to plants. The author provides the background for a more profound understanding of ways by which chemical processes operate in both polluted and unpolluted conditions of the soil-plant system. The current review of recent soil-plant findings offered by Trace Elements in Soil and Plants, Third Edition renders the book an indispensable reference. ... Read more

Book Description

Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Second Edition Edited by Peter J. Lea Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, UK and Richard C. Leegood Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK As research in plant metabolism and molecular biology continues to make great progress it has become essential for plant scientists to have an overview of both disciplines, which are becoming increasingly complementary in understanding plant function. Drawing on their own teaching and research experience, the editors and contributors have provided a timely, comprehensive and generously illustrated new edition of this successful introductory textbook. All of the chapters have been updated and revised, and a new chapter on secondary metabolism has been included. Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the plant sciences and to all those requiring an introduction to current concepts in molecular plant science. Reviews of the First Edition "The aim of the editors to blend plant biochemistry with molecular biology is successfully reached and provided a new, well written text book which is easy to read." Journal of Plant Physiology "The contributing chapters are well written with clear illustrations and I would expect undergraduates, to whom this book is primarily targeted, to enjoy using it." New Phytologist "The evident teaching experience of the authors make this textbook a useful aid to students and researchers." Photosynthetica What the lecturers said about the First Edition: "A very useful text with a good balance of traditional biochemistry and molecular biology. Its usefulness is enhanced by a very clear and visually pleasing layout and the generally high quality and clarity of the writing." "A surprising amount of information in an easily accessible format." "Good coverage and depth. I'm not aware of any other book that deals with this material so well as this one. It addresses a real need in plant science teaching." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Plant Molecular Biology
Dear Sir: I am a plant Molecular Biologist and develop transgenic plants. I am looking for a suitable book for my undergraduate, biology majors- on this subject and will be glad to review this book.

Dr. O. Bagasra, MD, PhD ... Read more

Amazon.com

The New England Wild Flower Society is the oldest plant conservationorganization in North America. It celebrated its 100th birthday by publishingthis beautiful and useful guide to identifying, growing, and propagating nativewildflowers.

Cultivating and appreciating native flora is a first step towards ecologicalgardening, a concept whose time has come. By choosing to grow the plants thatthrive naturally in the conditions your garden offers, you are working withrather than against nature, resulting in easier maintenance and a reduced needof water and chemicals. A great many of the very loveliest flowers are availableas natives, such as columbines, iris, trout lilies, violets, trillium, and evenorchids. The delicacy of the native species, their simple forms and unadornedbeauty, make many of the cultivars we see in the nursery appear overdone andblowzy, like a girl who has overdressed for a party. Horticulturists have workedfor years to make new colors, double forms, and larger, brighter flowers, butthese small natives have all the appeal of the original, plus they naturallythrive in appropriate conditions.

More than a thousand species of flowers are discussed and pictured, withthorough information on native habitat, cultural requirements, propagation, anddesign considerations. At the back of the book are lists of plants ideal forspecific situations and with certain characteristics; look here to find whatspecies have large leaves or attract butterflies, as well as which do best indry shade, rocky areas, bogs, and, perhaps most useful of all, which wildflowersare deer-resistant. --Valerie Easton ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Guide To Wildflowers By A True Expert
If you happen to be visiting The Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, you will probably notice a man puttering in the gardens or working in the nursery. More than likely he will instinctively know that you have a question about the wildflowers you are examining and he will be more than happy to share his knowledge. This amiable person is William Cullina of the New England Wildflower Society. For those who are unable to visit the garden, or have a question about wildflowers, Cullina's book GROWING AND PROPAGATING WILDFLOWERS is the next best thing. This coffee table style book is filled with lavish photographs and wonderful commentary about many wildflowers found in North America. The book not only assists the reader in identifying various wildflowers, but helps the reader who wishes to incorporate wildflowers in a home garden. Cullina mentions in the introduction that horticulture has been a life long passion. This is evident in his writing style. The information in the book is informative and while it is presented in a formal manner, it is non-threatening for the novice gardener. This work is not helpful just for gardeners. Photographers will appreciate the wonderful shots of the flowers, many of which were photographed by Cullina himself.

Disappointing if you want to cultivate these plants
I was under the impression that this book would provide the information I needed to cultivate these plants on some scale. I was very disappointed. There is no way that you could reliably produce these plants with the information provided in this book. There are much better books out there for that purpose. If you are a novice, homegardener wanting to learn about wildflowers and grow a few in your backyard, this book would be okay for you. But if you are knowledgeable on the topic already, I think you will be disappointed.

Great Information, Weak IIlustration
This is a wonderful book about the culture and propagation of North American native flowers. The author clearly knows his stuff and communicates it well.

The only weakness is the limited and low quality photography (lots of depth of field problems) which, I gather is not the author's work, but came from a wildflower society. There really are far too few pictures considering the wide variety of plants. Don't plan on being able to tell which of the diverse Eupatoriums or Asters you want to plant by looking at their pictures.

HOWEVER, this book would be worth it without pictures, just for the information. Go buy the book and then write the pubisher a note saying the illustration is beneath the writing....just like I just did.

Cool book
This is the best reference I've found for native plants, and it's a worthy book for a coffee table. Accessible and extensive, it's pleasantly written, with care information about the species and then add'l info on specific plants in the species. The photographs are often quite nice, although I wish they more consistently showed the plant's habit in addition to flowers. There's also an appendix in the back on seed propagation.

If you get this, purchase the companion shrub&tree reference, too. It's just as good.

This is the propagation book I've been waiting for!!!
I can't add much to Jeremy's marvelous comments; I can only reiterate the praise. This book has the complete, clear, concise and honest information lacking in so many wildflower guides, especially when it comes to propagation. It is apparent that most information comes from the personal experience of the author and I've enjoyed the comments about individual plants. My only suggestion for the next edition would be the addition of photos of the seeds on the plant, especially for species such as Pachysandra, where it is unclear exactly where to look. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

BIG Disappointment
While the size and scope of this book is impressive, the quality of the prints is poor, at least in comparison with the wonderful prints found in the book "Botanical Prints From the Hortus Eystettensis" I purchased the Besler Florilegium expecting to find prints of the same caliber but they lack the detail and antique look of the prints found in the Hortus Eystettensis.
If I had a do-over button, I wouldn't purchase this book.

Excelent gift for Besler print owners
I purchased this book as a gift for someone who owns a Besler print. In fact, they own the print that is on the cover of this book. The large thick book is a very lovely display of Besler's famous prints, organized by the seasons in which the plants he observed in the garden grew. It would make a good gift to anyone, especially gardeners with large empty coffee tables.

Fantastic
It's not a book, it's an event. Well worth the purchase price! ... Read more

Book Description

This is a classic textbook on plant diseases: how to recognize them, treat them, and prevent them. It is thoroughly updated and revised by the addition of color plates, new references, and a larger, more easily accessible format. Plant Pathology, Fourth Edition, continues to be the most complete resource that students, faculty, and professionals turn to when in need of well-organized, essential information regarding the pathology of plants. Vital information, comprehensive coverage, and authoritative details make this the text that should be on the bookshelf of every plant scientist in need of a reference on plant disease.

* Thoroughly revised and updated, including 30% more new material
* The latest basic information on molecular techniques and biological control
Comprehensive in coverage
* Numerous excellent new diagrams and photographs that now also include a new section of color plates
* New enlarged format
* A large variety of disease examples for instructors to choose for their course ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Plant Pathology book used worldwide
Plant Pathology by George N. Agrios covers the most important aspects of this science. In my opinion, besides the good information, the disease cycles are very illustrative. I am sure that it will continue to be the most important book in Plant Pathology worldwide.

The bible for plant pathologists
It is the best and most up to date book on plant pathology. It is the bible of plant pathology. It looks into life cycles, symptoms, history and control of diseases. It is mainly concerned with diseases caused by fungi but also looks at diseases caused by bacteria or nematodes. It is an excellent book in that it covers different aspects of plant pathology and all the information are up to date.

The best book available on general Plant Pathology
I think the title says it all. If you are looking for a book on general Plant Pathology this one has to be your first choice.... ... Read more