The Random House Book of Shrubs [Paperback]

Roger Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 1989

The indispensable new reference book for every gardener

With their immense diversity of color, shape, size, scent, flowers and berries, shrubs provide the gardener with an inexhaustible range of plants to suit every site, whatever its aspect or soil.

Here is a uniquely comprehensive guide to more than 1900 shrubs, in stunning full-color photographs, many showing specimens growing in gardens or in the wild. The plants are arranged according to their flowering season, from winter through to autumn, and the authoritative text describes each plant's origin, important characteristics and the growing conditions that suit it.

Also included is a list of gardens open to the public and a guide to nurseries.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Ideal for plant identification and selection, this terrific series features immaculate photography (one picture for virtually every entry) and clear, concise text that discusses the physical attributes, native area, and hardiness of each plant.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

The indispensable new reference book for every gardener

With their immense diversity of color, shape, size, scent, flowers and berries, shrubs provide the gardener with an inexhaustible range of plants to suit every site, whatever its aspect or soil.

Here is a uniquely comprehensive guide to more than 1900 shrubs, in stunning full-color photographs, many showing specimens growing in gardens or in the wild. The plants are arranged according to their flowering season, from winter through to autumn, and the authoritative text describes each plant's origin, important characteristics and the growing conditions that suit it.

Also included is a list of gardens open to the public and a guide to nurseries.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Random House (March 11, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679723455
• ISBN-13: 978-0679723455
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book took my breath away, I could not put it down!, March 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Random House Book of Shrubs (Paperback)

This volume is the most gorgeous and comprehensive overview of shrubs I have seen to date. The information contained, although not exhaustive, is concise and useful. The breadth of plants covered is truly amazing and the photography excellent. The only disappointment is lack of information on how to obtain these plants. I reach for this book so often, it seems to live on my desktop (Along with the other Random House Plant Books), not the reference shelf!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photos great, April 23, 2007

By 

Heather (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Random House Book of Shrubs (Paperback)

Perhaps this is aimed at a novice landscaper or plant enthusiast, but as I botanist....I LOVE it. The photos are great and unrivaled. There are photos for identifying plants in any season (leaves, bark, flower, fruit). There is also a companion in my collection for TREES. I recommend them both for the same reasons. Some times a botanical key is not enough to jog my memory.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book with British bias, June 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Random House Book of Shrubs (Paperback)

This is a beautifully produced reference book with extensive color photos. Its size gives it the illusion of being comprehensive. However, it only includes plants that will grow "somewhere in the British Isles". It omits a number of species which are U.S. natives (e.g., no Rhododendron catawbiensis, although the author offers a whole section on Asian rhododendrons). It also misses species cultivated in the Southern US (e.g., no gardenias). List of cultivars circa 1989 is getting dated. I would also hope that the next edition would alphabetize the order in which species are presented within the sections. If you don't mind its limitations, it's a bargain; buy it for the photos.