Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was already familiar with this publication before I ordered it. It's one of the reference books that our county Extension Office uses in plant identification.
I've already put it to good use in my gardens. In my opinion the only way it could be improved is to make a 3 or 4 volume set instead of 2. Each volume is verrrrry heavy!

What I like most is that it includes many pictures of different varieties within a plant
family which is a big help with identification (I would like to see an encyclopedia that includes pictures of all varieties but maybe I couldn't afford such a comprehensive set!). In short,I am very pleased with "Flora" and glad I bought it.

Dianne E.
Snohomish, Washington
Member of Master Gardeners

Beautiful book that is accurate and has more hybrid species and cultivars than any other book I've seen. Too heavy to take to the nursery or school, but great for research or choosing plants for your yard.

This is a biigg book with the name of hundreds of plants. It is interesting to skan & read. I like to know the official name of plants & this gives them. I like to garden & belong to a garden club so this helps me a lot. I can spend lots of time just looking. Good to have!

This is a wonderful two-volume reference. There are lots of pictures and far more complete information than most gardening books.

This being an excellent book I feel it should include a bit more information on planting and tips regarding, planting, growing, whether a particular plant does well in the sun or shade and type of soil.

This book has everything about plants. Wel organized and will never go out of date.

Bought for my son. He said it is great.