Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Gary Irish (Author), Mary F. Irish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2000

These exotic natives of the Americas are among the most striking of drought-tolerant plants, and they make wonderful accents in the landscape, providing excellent contrasts to flowering perennial plantings. They can also be massed effectively, and many of the species are small, ideal for use in containers.

The authors point out that innovative nurseries and gardeners in cool, humid regions of North America and Europe have shown that many of these plants may be suitable for areas with climates very different from their native range. Full information on cultivation and propagation is provided.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a must-read for lovers of these spectacular plants ... well-organized, friendly, inviting."—Lauren Springer Ogden, Horticulture, October 2004 (Lauren Springer Ogden Horticulture )

"A useful and authoritative new reference."—William May, American Gardener, January/February 2001 (William May American Gardener )

"An excellent introduction to this delightful group ...Mary and Gary Irish have produced a book that will be an invaluable reference for the enthusiast and a source of inspiration for those not yet familiar with these useful and beautiful plants."—Dean Kelch, Pacific Horticulture, Winter 2001 (Dean Kelch Pacific Horticulture )

Book Description

The authors focus on the care, cultivation, & use in the landscape of the two families to which these dramatic plants belong.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (May 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881924423
• ISBN-13: 978-0881924428
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific resource, June 12, 2000

By 

Jennifer Orf (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

I am the librarian at the Desert Botanical Garden and this book has been a tremendous addition to our collection. I have only had it for two weeks and have already used it several times to answer reference questions. The photos are wonderful and the index is extensive. What sets this book apart from all the rest, however, is the clear and succinct format used to describe each plant. Each reference includes the botanical name, synonyms, common names, descriptions of the size, leaves, blooms, distribution, propagation, cultural requirements, similar or related species, and uses. Mary and Gary Irish have created an invaluable resource for anyone interested in agaves, yuccas and related plants.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants : A Gardener's Guide, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

This book fills a real gap in information for gardeners interested in agaves, yuccas, and similar plants, such as hesperaloes. I haven't found any other book that lists so many species of these plants AND has photographs of each. The text has extensive information for both identifying and growing these plants, whereas many books on plants will emphasize one aspect or the other. In other words, this book would be useful for botanists as well as gardeners and horticulturalists.

There is also some useful information on the cold hardiness and adaptability of these plants to wetter climates. Some experimental gardeners on the east coast of the U.S. may find the minimum temperature limits listed for some plants to be a little conservative. However, the horticultural information on growing these plants, more than makes up for that.

All around, this is a very good book and would be of interest to anyone interested in growing or identifying agaves, yuccas, and similar plants.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book, December 17, 2005

By 

No one (No where) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover)

This is the book to have if you are interested in growing agaves, and yuccas particularly if you have an interest in growing them as landscape plants and want to know how hardy a particular species is likely to be. It has rapidly become the Bible for growers of these plants.