Timber Press Pocket Guide to Shade Perennials (Timber Press Pocket Guides) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

W. George Schmid (Author)

Book Description

Series: Timber Press Pocket Guides | Publication Date: December 14, 2004

Rich with descriptions and illustrations of more than 1000 readily available species and cultivars that will enliven and thrive in your shade garden. The easy-to-read format, illustrated with more than 300 photographs, makes this the perfect handy reference. You will find definitions of shade intensities; information about plant cultivation, maintenance, and pests and diseases; as well as lists of plants for specific landscape uses. Also included is a list of specialty nursery sources that carry shade perennials.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Offers ideas for plants that will bring year-round color to the woodland garden."
—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, July 23, 2005 (The Washington Post )

"This volume is generously and gorgeously illustrated. The photographs are not only lushly beautiful but also provide instructive suggestions for grouping plants and their layout. Easy to carry and easy to get lost in, this guide will be an asset not only for experienced gardeners, but for those of us who want to become better ones."
—Kay Ackerman, Bloomsbury Review, March 2005 (Bloomsbury Review )

"Schmid describes hundreds, all with detailed information on size, type of foliage and flowers, and how to grow them."
—John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, March 13, 2005 (Newark Star-Ledger )

Book Description

Rich with descriptions and illustrations of more than 1000 readily available species and cultivars that will enliven and thrive in your shade garden. The easy-to-read format, illustrated with more than 300 photographs, makes this the perfect handy reference. You will find definitions of shade intensities; information about plant cultivation, maintenance, and pests and diseases; as well as lists of plants for specific landscape uses. Also included is a list of specialty nursery sources that carry shade perennials.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (December 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881927090
• ISBN-13: 978-0881927092
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #662,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born 1930; Studied Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Botany, Horticulture and Taxonomy;
Author of 3 Timber Press Books on Gardening (See Amazon); Numerous Journal Articles published 1980 to present.
The Hosta Journal Co-editor; Chairman of AHS Nomenclature Committee; Founder of Georgia Hosta Society; Board Member of International Aroid Society; AHS Historian; Member International Assn for Plant Taxonomy;

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shade gardens don't have to be boring!, September 2, 2005

By 

S. C. Watson (WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Timber Press Pocket Guide to Shade Perennials (Timber Press Pocket Guides) (Paperback)

As a professional gardener, I've found Schmid's Shade Perennials the perfect quick reference and idea book for tiny city yards. As most residents of large cities and boroughs can tell you, lighting can be a real difficulty. It's much better to think in terms of contrasts and textures and Shade Perennials provides many choices for those wondering just how to rennovate their gloomy yard. My two complaints: I felt that the pictures were only so-so and there aren't picture examples of all the plants listed. In fact, there are only 2-3 small photos per page, yet generally about 5-6 listings for species. In that regard, it could be more comprehensive. I've found it slightly better than Taylor's Guide to Shade Gardening, simply because it has more photos and when it comes to garden design, I'm reliant on visual stimulus. All-in-all, a useful guide and to help get you out of the hosta rut.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than one thousand readily available shade perennials, June 10, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Timber Press Pocket Guide to Shade Perennials (Timber Press Pocket Guides) (Paperback)

In Timber Press Pocket Guide To Shade Perennials, botanist, horticulturalist, landscape architect, and gardener W. George Schmid draws upon his immense expertise and experience to provide a thoroughly "user friendly", profusely illustrated guide to more than one thousand readily available shade perennials along with their individual growing conditions including definitions of shade intensities, basic information on cultivation, maintenance of shade perennials, dealing with their pests and diseases, as well invaluable lists of plants for specific landscape uses. The handy size of Timber Press Pocket Guide To Shade Perennials makes it the ideal take-along reference guide for non-specialist general readers wanting to "do it yourself" with respect to landscaping and gardening their properties, while at the same time, Timber Press Pocket Guide To Shade Perennials is an ideal reference for personal, academic, community, and professional library horticultural and gardening reference collections. If you want to have a shade garden that will maximize plant diversity and esthetics, then you need George Schmid's Timber Press Pocket Guide To Shade Perennials!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shade gardening, March 3, 2010

By 

P. Devine "PJ's Closet" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Timber Press Pocket Guide to Shade Perennials (Timber Press Pocket Guides) (Paperback)

I am a shade gardener that has been looking for a good sources for shade gardening information and I have found in this pocket guide. It provides just the right amount of information to help you decide if this plant is good for your gardening situation. I particularly liked the use of colored pictures throughout of almost every plant referenced. I have been looking for color to at to my hostas and hydrangeas and the color pictures were great in provide the visuals I needed to see how the plants would fit in to my garden. I strongly recommend this guide to for beginner to serious gardener.