The New Encyclopedia of Hostas [Hardcover]

Diana Grenfell (Author), Michael Shadrack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2010

The lush, sculptural hosta is loved by gardeners for its ability to both combine well with other plants and project a strong presence when planted alone. The New Encyclopedia of Hostas—the second edition of Diana Grenfell and Michael Shadrack's classic work—provides growth and cultivation information for seven hundred cultivated hostas.

Detailed, easy-to-read descriptions include growing tips, recommendations for landscape use, and suggestions for companion plants. Clear cultivation advice is provided, including recommendations for hostas that succeed in challenging environments, such as the warmer regions of the United States. Captivating photographs show hostas up close and in a wide range of different garden situations.

Gardeners will appreciate the depth and scope of this essential reference and use it time and again to help with plant selection and identification, and to inspire new plantings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Offers deep but readable education about the genus, with pictures to drool over.” (Buffalo News )

About the Author

Diana Grenfell, a co-founder of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society, is the author of The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas, The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hostas and The Gardener's Guide to Growing Daylilies. She operates the well-known nursery, Apple Court, at Lymington in Hampshire with her husband, Roger Grounds, author of The Plantfinder's Guide to Ornamental Grasses.

Michael Shadrack is a member of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society and the American Hosta Society. His interest in photography has led to a library of nearly 3200 hosta images, many of which have been published in books, magazines, and catalogs. He regularly lectures on hostas in Europe and North America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 472 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; Rev Upd edition (January 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881929603
• ISBN-13: 978-0881929607
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Pics and a Good (not great) Reference, February 10, 2010

By 

Melissa K (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Encyclopedia of Hostas (Hardcover)

I have been collecting hostas for about 3 years and have about 260 different varieties and over 300 hostas total. I'm a relatively new collector, but I do love my hosta books!
I looked thru this book over the weekend.... I'll admit, it was more pic viewing than reading, but here are my opinions:

Since this is a updated release of her old book, I will compare it to the previous book.
The pics of newer cultivars are indeed nice. Yes, there are lots of repeats from the old Grenfell encyclopedia, but I didn't seem to mind.

One thing that did bother me is that if she was referencing a sport of a plant, she'd put the pic with the parent's listing, even if it didn't fall into the heading of the chapter. I found this to be distracting.

She and Shadrack (the co-author/photographer, who will be speaking at the 2010 National Convention) have clearly done a lot of their research in the states this round.... I think that's great! There was even a pic of Rhino Hide.... and that was just registered in what, 2007?

Is it crucial to your hosta book library? Well, for me, yes! I really like the newer cultivars and would like to have pics at my fingertips without having to have the internet. I often have at least one reference book in the car or my bag when I go hosta shopping. This one, I feel, is the best choice between the old Grenfell, the small Grenfell and the Zilis Hostapedia. I believe this is a good value at Amazon's price with free shipping. I do not think it is worth listed retail price.

If you are just getting into hosta collecting, I'd choose this book before Zilis since it does have a pic of each plant profiled, though all plants are not profiled. With Zilis, it's the opposite.... most all hostas are profiled, but only about 30% (my estimate) have a photo. But Zilis weighs 12 lbs!

Bottom line.... Great book, but is is CERTAINLY not an all encompassing reference, but it does have great photos and general information!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete, September 8, 2010

By 

A. Ward - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Encyclopedia of Hostas (Hardcover)

This book seems to be missing some fairly common types of hostas and there aren't pictures for each cultivar mentioned. It's disappointing, frankly. Granted, there is a reason it is much cheaper than the Hostapedia (which lists for about $80), but still....if it lists a particular plant, it would be nice to have a picture to go along with it. Also, if you have a picture of the plant, an explanation would be appreciated. The sport "Orange Marmalade" is a case of picture with no information.

The hostas it does include have a fairly complete explanation of them. I think the website [...] and some other resources will be more useful for identification purposes. This is a nice coffee table book with a good bit of information.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The New Encyclopedia of Hostas, February 14, 2011

By 

peony gardener - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Encyclopedia of Hostas (Hardcover)

A great book to all who feel overwhelmed by the vast selection of hostas on the market today.
The book has individual, detailed descriptions and high quality color photos of many many hostas.

The hostas are grouped by leaf color: green hostas, blue hostas, gold hostas,
variegated-margin hostas and medio-variegated hostas.
Each color-group makes a chapter in the book, and is of great help in organizing ones hosta-dreams.

The text is superb, covering specific information for each cultivar: color and shape of its leaves and flowers,
its growth-rate: slow or fast. The plant shape: open habit or a dense mound, its natural disease resistance,
the hosta's origin and more.