Customer Reviews

Rhododendrons & Azaleas: A Colour Guide

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Without question, this is one of the best, most complete books detailing the growth and species of the rhododendron family. Every type of azalea and rhododendron you can think of is in this book. It's loaded with color photographs. This book is a must have for rhododendron or azalea growers. It also contains very useful information about cultivation.

If you are a rhododendron lover then buy this book. Kenneth Cox's expertise shines through his detailed and authorative book.The book answers all the frequently asked questions about rhododendron cultivation, propagation and maintenance. Its index is clear and accessible because, unlike most other plant books, it recognises that most gardeners want to find what they are looking for by using the registered or common name of a hybrid not by passing an exam in botanical classification.
It is a truly international book! Cox constantly demonstates a knowledge of new hybrids across world markets and records the idiosyncraticies of their breeders; he details international hardiness ratings, he recognises that the seasons vary from hemisphere to hemisphere and gives proven performances codes for where ever you live in the world. As an Australian, who is used to having to find appropriate information hidden in a foot note, this is very welcome.
Although his writing is technical, it is peppered with asides which give you the impression he is speaking to you frankly lightening the tedium of Latinised botanical terms. Cox also gives you his ten best hybrids and his ten worst together with the ten best of everything else on a great list page.
Pictures from his own garden and nursery at Glendoick in Scotland predominate and as a result you need to supplement his text with the excellent photo indexes available of the Americian Rhododendron Society to see illustrations of flowers not common in his climate.
Most reference books I use I get a few hours worth of help. After over 30 hours worth of use I am still going strong with this book and it will be many years before my expertise is sufficient to put it away on a shelf.

A book on Rhododendrons and Azaleas describes in detail the plants including many of the newer hybrids. Concise descriptions with color photos enhance the pages. The author also lets the reader know specifically what he thinks. For example, this plant might belong in the "rubbish heap."