Customer Reviews

Western Garden Book

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Buy the hardback version because this book will get your fingers walking frequently. The first book I reach for and often the only one I need. For me it is particularly helpful for desert plant selection and descriptions, but any western gardner will find a wealth of information. There are 24 sections on plant selection for specific needs and situations including shade, color, site, fragrance, native, season, foliage, compatibility, birds/butterflies, and others. Color plates accompany many of the selections along with growing requirments. Double index of gardening topics and common/scientific names. Excellent sketches of 6000 individual plants with similar family members. Much peripheral info such as how to read scientific names, pest problems/solutions, resourses, fine tuning of climatic zones. This is a fine reference book. An excellent source for new and experienced gardners.

Sunset's Western Garden Book can tell you everything you'll ever need to know about plants: distinctions for each variety, where to plant, how to prune, how thirsty each is. It's an invaluable, timeless classic. It's also readable, and interesting, with sections at the front of the book showing plant lists for various types of gardens: Shade, butterfly, etc. Read it and enjoy!

We have lived in 6 different places in the West over the last 20 years. I wish I'd have had this book on the entire tour. The maps let you know which growing zone you are in and gives advice based on that very acurate assesment of the climate in those locations. Very sound advice and very simple instructions.

I really love this book! I always consult the book before buying any plants; it helps me avoid buying something not suited to my area! Also, by knowing what kind of plant I bought, I learn how to take care of it (eg sun & water requirements, type of soil) and know what kind of diseases and pest I should look out for for that particular plant. This is really an awesome book. The best investment I made for my garden!

If you want to grow something, this book is a must have. Full of detail on what types of things grow best based on your geographic "zone". Pictures galore and many helpful how-to diagrams on pruning, staking, irrigation and more.

It's a little like slogging through an encyclopedia so you won't necessarily go cover to cover. But if you have a specific need, say "why are my tomato plants yellow?" - this is a great resource.

Hardcover is a must - you'll want this one to last you a few years.

This is a book that every nursery person, horiculturalist and landscape designer uses. Four years of Landscape Architecture was great, but I am always using this one! It is outstanding for the novice. I recommend it for my adult education landscape design class. They all say they were nervous about the price, but it has worth every penny. If you still have the old one-get this one. All the things we wish they would change have been done. I have had a design firm in Montana and Washington State. It didn't forget the folks out in the middle of the Washington desert or the mountains of Montana! Most books can't cross those horticultural borders like this one.

As a garden adviser here in Portugal there is no other book that I would recomend for both the novice or addict for consise and precise advise on all aspects of gardening and landscaping. The most important feature is it's extremely easy to use climate guide dealing with both aspects of plant hardiness. Simply see what already grows in your area, compare this it's zone rating and you will see what else will grow and more importantly what is not worth trying and why. Worth every penny.

Most gardening books are written for the Midwest and eastern U.S. but this book takes into account the climate and soils unique to the West. From trees, to houseplants, to western natives, this book is very comprehensive. Pardon the cliche, but if you can only have one gardening book make it this one.

When I lived in California, this book was fantastic! So thorough and easy to read. I used it all the time. But since I live in Indiana now, I wish it had info about Midwestern climate zones, soil types, and recommended plants.