Dogwoods: The Genus Cornus [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Paul Cappiello (Author), Don Shadow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2005

Dogwood trees and shrubs are unquestionably among the superstars of the ornamental garden. Although cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and common dogwood (C. sanguinea) have been grown in Europe since ancient times, it is only since the age of exploration in the 18th and 19th centuries that dogwoods from the New World and Asia have ascended to the high thrones of gardens, where their aristocracy remains unchallenged today. Given the huge popularity of dogwoods as garden plants, not to mention the hundreds of choice selections and hybrids that have come to prominence in recent decades, it is surprising that there has never been a horticultural book on the genus. Paul Cappiello fills this longstanding gap with this definitive treatment for gardeners and enthusiasts. Providing a solid overview of all dogwoods of horticultural merit, the author provides more than two hundred stunning photos to help with the daunting tasks of identification and plant selection. He provides helpful details on cultivation, combating pests and diseases, and the fundamentals of breeding and selection. Based on years of research, first-hand observation, and interviews with dozens of specialists and nurserypeople, Dogwoods is an unprecedented guide to the diversity of plants available in nurseries today. Written in engaging and informative prose, this book will be treasured by generations of gardeners.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The dogwoods comprise a varied group of trees and shrubs. The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the most familiar; it's an extremely graceful tree with horizontal branches that tilt upward at the ends. Amazingly enough, dogwoods have thrived since the time of the dinosaurs and have spread over most of the Northern Hemisphere. Beneath each species, Cappiello and Shadow alphabetically arrange the plant's cultivars, forms, and varieties, describing their height and the color of their flowers, stems, and leaves. There is information on their growth habits, foliage, flowers, fruit, bark, breeding and selection, and insect and disease problems. And this wealth of information is accompanied by 238 stunning color photographs. George Cohen
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Review

"You'll find practical advice for growing dogwoods as well as a mind-blowing variety of them in [this] dauntingly thorough book."— Valerie Easton, Seattle Times, May 19, 2006 (Valerie Easton Seattle Times )

"This long-needed work brings us up to speed on the latest and best cultivars emerging from dogwood breeding programs across the country and around the world."—Horticulture, November/December 2005 (Horticulture )

"A ground-breaking and worthy text."—Dick Bir, American Gardener, September/October 2005 (Dick Bir American Gardener )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (March 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881926795
• ISBN-13: 978-0881926798
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Source for Cultivar Info, November 29, 2005

By 

David W. Pittelli (Adams MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dogwoods: The Genus Cornus (Hardcover)

This comprehensive book is a must for anyone considering raising or breeding dogwoods. Indeed, anyone setting aside the money and space for a dogwood tree should first look at this book, or perhaps one other: The only source I know of that comes close is the "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" by Michael A. Dirr. Naturally, this book, which looks only at dogwoods, includes some cultivars not covered by Dirr, and has about 2 or 3 times as much text as Dirr does for each cultivar.

The sort of info covered? Depth of information varies, but basically: Breeder or introducer; whether it's a sport of another named variety; height, width and form; flower, berry and foliage description (size, color and shape); flower density; blooming period; often word on resistance or otherwise to various fungi; patent number, if applicable (some varieties are not yet patented or even available for sale, but are included due to the authors' opinion of their superior merit); and whether the cultivar is a "bogus" name or copy of another cultivar.

This book also has lovely photos (The Dirr book has only some line drawings, although Dirr has other, also excellent books, with color photos, but which are far less comprehensive). Not every variety has a photo; many have just a close-up of a flower with bracts; others include a photo of the overall look of the tree in bloom, or with autumn color, or close-ups of autumn berries. It really helps to have 3 or 4 photos to judge a cultivar properly. If one were to fault the book for anything it would be for not having 3 big photos for all of the (non-bogus) cultivars, but then it would weigh -- and cost -- twice as much.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth guide to dogwood trees and shrubs, May 13, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogwoods: The Genus Cornus (Hardcover)

Written by the former horticulture director of the Bernheim Arboretum and award-winning gardener and horticulture expert Don Shadow, Dogwoods is an in-depth guide to dogwood trees and shrubs, which have been immensely popular as ornamental plants especially since the 18th and 19th centuries. Offering an overview of all dogwoods of horticultural note, including species of trees, shrubs and groundcovers, and illustrated with more than two hundred gorgeous, full-color photographs, Dogwoods is the perfect guidebook for determining the type of dogwood best suited for one's garden and highly recommended for anyone interested in cultivating these beautiful plants. A highly informative species-by-species detail, intended especially for gardeners but accessible to lay readers as well. All gardeners would be well advised to send for the free Timber Press catalog for a complete listing of their titles.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great photography and references on dogwood, October 16, 2008

By 

Conservative Gardener (FAYETTEVILLE, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dogwoods: The Genus Cornus (Hardcover)

Very high quality photography and high quality writing and organization. I don't believe there's a competitive book on the subject and it's unlikely that an author will be motivated to exceed the quality of this book. I am not an expert on dogwoods, and this book has encouraged me to grow more dogwood species.