Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beautifully illustrated book and so specific. I had a hard time getting used to the detail because most books give you just a paragraph on the grass and very little on care, etc.

It's everything you want to know about Ornamental Grasses and more. Very, very complete reference source. Maybe be a bit too much for a average gardener, but if you love grasses and gardening -- this is an excellent book.

This is an awesome book. I own another of Rick Darke's grass books, the Timber Press pocket guide, which is also excellent as an overall reference. This one, though, goes in to a depth I didn't know I needed until I saw it! I find I am reading every page, after having skimmed every beautiful photo. I particularly admire the wisdom behind the design theory (see the chapter on design)--a true artist's understanding of color, form and line. Why use grasses in a garden design? And how to do so? The topic is eloquently covered. So well in fact that I have had a bit of a paradigm shift.

In addition to Darke's exquisite artistic sense, his horticultural, encyclopedic knowledge of all these plants is very appreciated. I can trust what he tells me. The only thing missing (and missing from almost all--dare I say ALL--ornamental grasses books) is the width size for grasses listed. One needs to try to extrapolate a probable width from the height which IS given for every plant. Granted this piece of info must be hard for authors as there may be two or even three width sizes for grasses--the basal clump in spring, the foliage fully expanded in summer, and tip-to-tip spread IN BLOOM in fall, for example. And there is the question of time as well: e.g. a 3-year size vs. a 10-year size. Still, a gardener needs to know these things: what sort of space to give a grass for its best look to be achieved.

The above is a small point for an overall excellent book. It covers ornamental grasses from every angle, from a man very experienced in the genre.

Encyclopedia of Grasses is a very beautiful, and at first glance comprehensive, book. However as I got into the details of both the book and my current landscape project I was somewhat disappointed. The book contains beautiful photographs and descriptions but has a limited usage as a reference book. In particular, I was looking for information on plant hardiness, appropriate zones, size, care, pairing with other plants etc. In addition, it is difficult to cross reference from common plant names to genus species names and there were a number of grasses which are common in Northwest nurseries that I could not find in the book.

As a landscaping resource book I would rate this book as a 3; however the book itself is of extremely high quality, the photographs are beautiful and the narrative is close to lyrical. If you are looking for a pure reference book on grasses I would not recommend this as your first choice. If you are looking for a very attractive coffee table book or gift, this is definitely a 5.

Excellent for the experienced and inexperienced grasses' growers. Beautiful photographs and readable, informative text. We live in Maine and have planted many grasses. This book helped us understand soil conditions and care.

This book is the bible of all ornamental grasses, great pictures for referance and identifacation of grass plants !!!!!!!!!!

In depth, beautifully photographed and written by someone who obviously cares a great deal about the subject. Great for reference -- also great just to peruse.

This book on ornamental and native grasses by Mr Darke is fabulous. Having species listed in alphabetical order along with color photographs is extremely helpful when I am using the book for landscape design projects. I just used the book as a reference on a design for a new residence in Egremont, MA.

This book is similar to other favorite books by Michael A Dirr on trees and shrubs, but even more comprehensive in botanical descriptions of grasses.
Craig Okerstrom-Lang, RLA, ASLA

I am delighted with this book. It is exactly what I was hoping for. Not only are the photos excellent but the corresponding information lives up to the photography.
I am a Horticulturalist/Rosarian looking to include "grasses" in my designs and this book promises to be the only one I'll need to purchase.

I bought this book after seeing it at a local nursery where it's used as a reference book.
I'm planting several varieties of grasses this year, mostly miscanthus, and find the information
and great photos to be exactly what I wanted in a reference book.

Highly rated by students of Botany, the volume was carefully and professionally wrapped and boxed to protect its size and weight. Fast delivery, excellent service.