Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Claire Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2005

The most comprehensive and up-to-date encyclopedia of irises available. Irises are beloved by enthusiasts who garden in a wide variety of zones, including hot and dry, temperate, and even cold northern climates. Irises bloom in every imaginable color—revealed here in more than 1100 captivating photographs—from deepest purples, blues, and reds through strong pinks, yellows, and oranges to pastels in every shade. This wide-ranging collection illustrates the diversity of this beautiful genus and includes irises with striking foliage, reblooming capability, and scents. It features both historic and modern irises of all sizes from miniature and dwarf varieties to the stately tall beardeds. Also included is cultivation advice, information about the plants' breeding history, and ideas for combination plantings in rock gardens, containers, and perennials beds. An indispensable reference for iris fanciers everywhere as well as any gardener who appreciates their beauty and versatility.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Her many photographs will please devoted irisarians, especially members of iris societes."
—W. George Walters, Pacific Horticulture, May/June 2006 (Pacific Horticulture )

"An extraordinary work, [Irises] presents an excellent overview of the genus Iris. ... [Austin] provides brief, very readable descriptions of hundreds of irises, and accompanies almost all of the descriptions with excellent photographs of the plant's flower."
—Tom Karwin, Monterey County Herald, August 5, 2006 (Monterey County Herald )

"Page after page of color closeups will enchant both the casual browser and careful collector. There's a wealth of information here."
—Karen Preuss, Northwest Garden News, May 2006 (Northwest Garden News )

Book Description

A gorgeous encyclopedia with bearded and beardless irises suitable for gardens through a wide variety of zones including hot and dry, temperate and even cold northern climates. Includes irises with particularly striking foliage, scent, patterned falls, and ruffled edges. 1000 color photographs throughout.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (October 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881927309
• ISBN-13: 978-0881927306
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stunning book, I'm looking for even more!, July 10, 2006

By 

Jen "garden designer" (Alameda, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

I've read three iris books back to back looking for specific information:

I want to know about hybridizing bearded irises and this book gives a very good general overview. Better than the other books, but still fairly general in cross-making information.

I also used it to look for answers to some weird occurrences in my Irises this year and found no description of the symptoms in the pests/diseases part. The other books didn't have the problem either so I am frustrated, but perhaps shouldn't blame this book for not providing the answer.

This IS ABSOLUTELY the best book on the market on the subject though, better, fuller, glossier, and more comprehensive than the rest I've seen. I was a little surprised to see it is mostly a listing of irises in cultivation which is an ambitious undertaking.

I would caution against using any book to identify unknown Irises as there are just too many cultivars to be sure you've got the right name. However, I absolutely would (and did) use it to verify the identities of named Irises with a few nametags that got mixed up.

I would've given it 5 stars if there had been a little more information on the aforementioned items. I perhaps owe it 5 stars simply for the amazing job they did on the species Irises which no other book comes close to matching.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Compares!, March 1, 2007

By 

Michael P. Kukielka "BORG" (Rochester Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Like all botanical Encyclopedias, this can't possibly contain all the varieties available, but almost all are represented in some form. This book is responsible for spurring my obsession with Irises so I can't vouch for its significance to the experienced gardener, but I haven't found anything that compares. The text is very brief and concise, but provides a good overview of each Iris family (I didn't know there were so many!).

If you are an Iris enthusiasts or want to become one, this is the book to own!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for horticultural and gardening reference collections, January 7, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Claire Austin is a nationally renowned, award winning expert with respect to growing irises and perennials. Irises: A Gardener's Encyclopedia is an enthusiastically recommended 339 page compendium of what she knows about selecting and growing irises. Enhanced with more than 1100 spectacular full color photographs, aspiring gardeners are provided with thoroughly accessible and applicable cultivation advice, information about the breeding history of the iris, ideas for using irises with other plants in the garden, and an ideal horticultural reference for growing the iris in a wide variety of climate zones including hot and dry, temperate, and even cold northern climates. Also highly recommended for horticultural and gardening reference collections is Michael King's Gardening With Tulips (0881927749, $29.95) from Timber Press. Michael King is for the cultivation of tulips what Claire Austin is for the cultivation of the iris.