Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia 2 volume set , vol 1 A-K vol 2 L-Z [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Sean Hogan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2003

This comprehensive, beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of plants contains information on more than 20,000 plants from all around the world. Organized in an A–Z format by botanical name, the individual entries provide a detailed description of each plant and its features, including notes on origin, cultivation requirements, growth habit, propagation, and pests and diseases. The introduction explains how the 12 climatic zones work and looks at the environment and the plants that grow in those zones. Also included are lists of plants suitable for growing in specific areas, such as alpine gardens and seaside gardens. In addition, the introduction provides ideas for garden design.

Flora covers all the plant groups: trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials, bulbs, corms and tubers, cacti and succulents, lawns, ground covers, ornamental grasses, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, other fruits, nut trees, palms and cycads, ferns, climbers and creepers, and orchids. Written by a team of international botanical and horticultural writers, this book will allow all gardeners to choose the perfect plants for their garden and will expand their knowledge on the wealth of plants available. The stunning color photography from all around the world is the perfect complement to the text.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Major garden and plant reference sources are appearing like bulbs sprouting in the spring. A significant contribution to the bouquet is this work from the independent publisher Timber Press, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth year in the industry. The encyclopedia was produced in Australia by Global Book Publishing, and the chief consultant, Hogan, for many years managed the Australia/New Zealand areas at USC-Berkeley Botanic Garden. Most of the 15 contributors are from the U.S and have credentials or experience in horticulture.

Following some introductory material on hardiness zones and plant nomenclature, the pages are filled with descriptions of 20,000 plants accompanied by 10,000 color photographs. There are entries from all plant groups--trees, shrubs, bulbs, herbs, fruits, vegetables, grasses, etc. They are arranged alphabetically by botanic name and include distinguishing features, commercial use, propagation, and cultivation. Individual species follow with common name, growth habit, flower color, hardiness zone, and width and height. The majority of the plants are cultivated (not wild) and grow in temperate climates. Starred species are those recommended by the consultants.

Many of the pages are more than half-filled with color pictures of various sizes from all over the world--Chile, Namibia, Nepal, Puerto Rico. The great number of species that are in existence is illustrated by 17 pages of irises, 24 pages of camellias, 59 pages of rhododendrons, and 68 pages of roses. Since the plants are listed by genus, it is necessary to use the index to find the common name. However, varieties are in the index only as a subheading of the genus; the "Peace" rose, for example, is listed as Rosa "Peace." A small glossary and full-page spreads illustrating leaf, fruit, and flower types complete the work. An accompanying CD-ROM enables a gardener to choose plants by group, hardiness zone, flower, color, and flowering season. For 50 plants, a moving illustration shows the change of seasons on the plant.

Several American Horticulture Society publications are comparable. The American Horticultural Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants (DK, 1997), with 15,000 entries and 6,000 small colored photos, is not as complete. A 2003 revision of the American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers [RBB My 1 03] contains a "Plant Catalog" and also provides step-by-step suggestions for creating different garden designs. Librarians and gardeners will need to look at their budgets before deciding how many plant reference sources are needed, but Flora certainly is a beautiful and comprehensive encyclopedia for the serious gardener. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"This book has become an overnight "must have" in the garden world."—Dulcy Mahar, Oregonian, November 18, 2004 (Dulcy Mahar Oregonian )

"Although gardening books abound, none matches this work's range of detail."—Brian E. Coutts, Library Journal, April 15, 2004 (Brian E. Coutts Library Journal )

"A candy store for gardeners. Imagine having thousands of the world's gardening gems alphabetically at your fingertips with clear, concise descriptions, and beautiful photographs of flowers, fruit, bark, even pictures of plants in their natural habitats."—Pat Rubin, Sacramento Bee, January 3, 2004 (Pat Rubin Sacramento Bee )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1584 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; Hardcover/CD-ROM edition (October 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881925381
• ISBN-13: 978-0881925388
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.5 x 3.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disconnect from the American Garden, January 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia 2 volume set , vol 1 A-K vol 2 L-Z (Hardcover)

Flora, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, had exciting possibilities. It has a well respected publishing house, fabulous photography, and 20,000 plants listed. Unfortunately, I am not generally looking for tropical African trees.

Missing in this text is any reference to the genus Cimicifuga, the genus Wulfenia, and many other plants popular in current horticulture. If a genus is reclassified, some indexing should be included. When a genus is included in Flora, some of the most popular species are omitted, such as Convolvulus compactus. The Z8 species of Convolvulus are listed, but if one looks for the hardy species--not there.

In fact, I pick up my references when I want to find information or photography on a given plant. As a rock garden enthusiast and hardy plant enthusiast, I find a "hit" only about 15% of the time. Time after time the plant I look for is unlisted. I still go to the Index of Garden Plants by Mark Griffiths to find a description. Flora has included so few relevant plants that it will soon go on the rarely used shelf.

I have experience with the genus Hosta (chaired a National Convention). This section must have been compiled quite some time prior to publication. Hosta fluctuans 'Variegated' was changed to Hosta 'Sagae' over 10 years ago, and anyone knowledgeable about hosta would know that change, since 'Sagae' has been distinguished as a Hosta of the Year. Hosta is the number one selling perennial in the USA.

Shrubs are no more impressive. Berberis 'Helmond's Pillar' or 'Velvet Cloak'--missing.

I am still waiting for anyone to publish a text that includes the majority of plants seen at major public gardens (Denver Botanic, Missouri Botanic, New York Botanic, etc.) and the plants listed in major seed exchanges (North American Rock Garden Society, etc.), and major nurseries (Wayside, Heronswood, Plant Delights, Arrowhead, etc.) Such a text would be invaluable. Even with only 10,000 hardy plants from these sources, the text would be unequaled.

Flora is beautiful. It is well crafted. It is extensive. It reads well. Too bad it isn't more useful for the USA gardener.
Let's hope for Flora 2: The Hardy Plant Encyclopedia.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You can find almost anything here but sometimes not easily., October 20, 2004

By 

Doss Woods (Stanford, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia 2 volume set , vol 1 A-K vol 2 L-Z (Hardcover)

I love this book and anyone who is serious about plants would love it too. It gets only 4 stars because this isn't the book I keep on my nightstand. And, yes, I'm an avid gardener apt to plant the new and unusual. However, if I really need to know something and find a picture of it, it is almost always here. It's a great browsing book too.
I would keep it closer if it didn't take up my whole night stand and weigh a lot.
Also, if you don't know the botanical name for the plant you have to use the "Flora" translater, but that only translates from the common name to the botanical name and not both ways. Very bothersome.

The book I do keep on my nightstand is "The American Horticultural Society of Plants and Flowers" which is primarily organized by plant uses.
I use them both for very different reasons and I'm glad I have them both.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A benchmark work - a serious gardener's treasure trove, January 5, 2004

By 

Michael Graham "Old Swabbie" (Queensport, Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia 2 volume set , vol 1 A-K vol 2 L-Z (Hardcover)

Since receiving "Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia" for Christmas, my wife has spent many many hours researching plants which would be ideal for our particular location. The various entries are arranged alphabetically by their scientific genus and species names, but the index is very comprehensive, containing both scientific and common name cross-references. The color photography is magnificent, entry data is concise and packed with information needed to successfully grow the species, and the breadth of coverage of this volume is breathtaking. This magnificent work is not your average "garden variety" (pardon the pun) encyclopedia --- it is an authoritative reference for professional and experienced gardeners, as well as a thorough text and research tool for the novice gardener. It is bound to become the benchmark by which future works of this genre are judged.