Customer Reviews

Magnolias: A Gardener's Guide

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

 

 

The book is a very thorough examination of the genus magnolia, both species and hybrids, with chapters on history, cultivation, propagation, pests and an excellent section on which species and hybrids to choose for your garden.

While not for the casual gardener, I found much to recommend to any serious gardener considering an ornamental tree.

This is no doubt the authoriative text on the subject and a very interesting read.

Gardeners interested in an in-depth coverage of magnolia hybrids, species, and their care will find this offers all the detail they require, charting the magnolia's culture, characteristics, and history. Magnolias isn't for the casual gardener, but for those devoted to the magnolia in particular and horticulture in general: a recommended pick for any serious horticultural library.

This is a fabulous reference for owners of magnolia trees and all persons considering planting a magnolia at any time in the future. This book will give you detailed information on habit, growth rate and hardiness that is a level of specificity well above most nurseries. My only wish was for more pictures, there seem to be multiple pictures of a few select species but none for the majority of those listed in the book. However, the title includes "A gardener's guide" rather than "Encyclopedia" so I did not feel misled.

This is another labor-intensive book with nice pictures, but there is subject matter absent that is needed by the home gardener, which provides an opportunity for a new book by a scholar with a some background in Ag Extension. For example, nearly every species is covered in this book, including many which are completely innapropriate for a home gardener. Most of the photos show plants in flower, without foliage, and that's NOT what the gardener will view 80% of the time. It would also be nice if there was a chapter written on pruning magnolias for the home garden. Again, it's a solid, well-written reference, but gardeners might expect more today, such as with those written by Michael Dirr on viburnums or hydrangeas, which should become the standard expectations for horticultural books.