The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening [Hardcover]

Christopher Brickell (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Horticultural Society Practical Guides | Publication Date: September 15, 1993

The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening is the one and only practical guide to gardening you'll ever need. The comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date text -- supported by more than 3,000 specially commissioned color photographs -- guides you expertly through the entire range of gardening techniques. The first section of the book, Creating the Garden, opens with detailed information on garden planning and design. Other chapters focus on the major plant groups, including trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as special areas such as the fruit garden and indoor garden. Each chapter presents detailed. Each chapter presents detailed, in-depth coverage of soil preparation, planting, routine care, pruning and propagation with step-by-step photographs and artwork. Important plant groups, such as hostas, daylillies, an peonies, are highlighted. The second section of the book, Maintaining the Garden, covers tools and materials as well as soil an climate in different regions of the United States. Construction projects, from putting up fencing to building a pergola, are covered with easy-to-follow photographic sequences. A gallery of pests and diseases aids in quick identification and control. There is also a gardener's calendar with seasonal reminders and an extensive glossary. Written by Experts: Endorsed by the American Horticultural Society, the Encyclopedia of Gardening has been expertly researched and written by a team of more than 50 distinguished international gardening specialists. Four years in the making, painstakingly photographed and carefully written, The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening is truly the ultimate gardening reference book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Many books claim to be a "definitive guide"; this is one title that happily lives up to those claims--and then some. Encyclopedia of Gardening will become your indispensable how-to manual for any plant-related topic. Indoors or out, you'll find information on choosing and maintaining healthy plants of all varieties, how to build structures from greenhouses to trellises, ways to identify pests and diseases, and methods of garden design that enable you to turn your lawn into a unique and personal work of art.

The text is straightforward and accompanied at all points by close-up photos of techniques, ideas, and specimens. The handy glossary is ready with definitions for everything from bulblet to vermiculite, and two pages of seasonal reminders are a great quick-reference cheat sheet. Thanks to clear category separations and the easy-to-read layout, the information is never overwhelming, just friendly and helpful--it's like having a master gardener living in your bookshelf! For the beginning-but-committed gardener, this encyclopedia is the perfect starting point. With every question answered thoroughly and accurately, you may find it's the only book you need for years to come. The fruit and vegetable sections are terrific, as are the areas on propagation and water gardening. For novice and expert alike, there's plenty to be learned from this information-packed volume. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal

Illustrated with excellent photos, this encyclopedia covers everything horticultural from garden design to planting and maintenance, with chapters on the important plant groups, the lawn, and vegetable, fruit, indoor, and water gardens. Also included are easily understood sections on botany, propagation, plant disease, and equipment. Essential for all public and horticultural libraries. (LJ 11/15/93)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 648 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564582914
• ISBN-13: 978-1564582911
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the single best book for most gardeners, September 24, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening (Hardcover)

In a practical, easy to follow format, the Encyclopedia of Gardening packs enough information to answer almost every question a weekend gardener could ever ask. It is not a technical, difficult book; instead, it is aimed at the average layperson, and it treats its readers with respect by presenting useful information in a no nonsense manner.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures, very helpful gardening advice., May 7, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening (Hardcover)

I am amazed by DK photography. How do they do it? The photographs are stunning and live up to the DK name! There are over 3,000 specially commissioned color photographs.

If you want a book to inspire you to get out into the garden, this one will tempt you to the couch first. You will want to pour over the pages and read all about designing an herb or rock garden. Did you know there is a "tomato tree?" How amusing. They are actually called tamarilllos. The floating garden picture with beautiful pink water lilies was about as much as a gardener could handle for inspiration. The pictures of the nine waterlies were amazingly beautiful. If you want to construct a pond, there are step-by-step pictures. A chart for shrubs gave the names for shrubs with aromatic foliage or fragrant flowers.

If you are looking for a book to define gardening, this is it. This is the most comprehensive guide to practical gardening techniques for every level of gardener. I am quite new at gardening and felt a bit confused as to which book I should buy. This book has it all. It was compiled under the expert editorship of Christopher Brickell from the Royal Horticultural Society, Elvin Mc Donald, Trevor Cole and a expert team of over 50 professional gardening specialists.

Here is a book that shows you how to plan and implement every gardening technique. You will feel as confident planting a tree as you will hybridizing a rose. The 400 step-by-step photographic sequences, easy-to-follow text and up-to-date information makes this a gardener's dream.

The first section of the book gives detailed information on garden planning and design. The second section explains how to maintain a garden. In the first section you will enjoy reading about garden planning, ornamental trees and shrubs, climbing plants, rose gardens, perennials, annuals and biennials, rock gardens, bulbous plants, water gardens, cacti and other succulents, lawn care, herb gardens, vegetable gardens, fruit gardens and indoor gardens.

The second section gives detailed information on tools and equipment, greenhouses and frames, structures and surfaces, climates, soils and fertilizers, principles of propagation, plant problems and basic botany.

A nice section of Seasonal Reminders is only two pages, but really covers everything. The glossary helps to define gardening terms and the index saves you time when you are looking up information on everything from planting bulbs to improving soil fertility or looking up a name like "Hydrocleys nymphoides" or Water poppy.

The ultimate reference for anyone who loves pictures and wants the best gardening information on the planet. Forget the rest...DK has the best! The pages are smooth and almost glossy. The binding is wonderful and you will be purchasing a book which will last a long, long time!

~The Rebecca Review

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is it. It's a must have. Truly an Encyclopedia, December 16, 2002

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening (Hardcover)

It's is worth the money. It is the single most comprehensive book on Gardening. I know it does not give super detailed descriptions of every plant out there. Their supplemental book can help you with that. Buy this one first. When I built a greenhouse, this book have several pages on construction, types of materials, venting, watering systems, cooling, hydrating, you name it, it was covered. When my neighbors pine tree was getting a white pithy coating on the lower leaves, this book described the problem to a T, and had several methods of curing it. No matter where I go, in irrigation, propogation, seed starting, grading, setting up a bed, identifying which plants work, where, when, and in what kind of soil, climate, etc., this book is there. They must of had a zillion contributing editors-authors create this work, because nobody knows everything this book has to offer. It is big, it is well illustrated, and a definite must have for any gardener. It is even a great read during the winter, for planning your spring garden. Even at this price, it is about twice what other books cost, but it is 5 times the book. It's a bargain. In the long run it will save you money by avoiding costly mistakes. I highly reccomend it.