Customer Reviews

Wyman's Gardening Encyclopedia

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have many gardening books and catalogs in my library, however, Wyman's is the one I refer to time and again because of its comprehensive discussion of each plant. If I could only have one reference, this would be it.

I would like to be able to rate this book at 4.9 stars, because, in my opinion and by way of usage and reference, only one other usually supercedes it (the comprehensively illustrated "AHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants"). Yet the Wyman's remains a valuable reference that I consult as a second (and often first) source of botannical and gardening information.

The other readers' reviews here should give ample incentive to buy this book. Their words-"well researched" [the book is thorough in its descriptions and definitions], "full and opinionated" [the writing is colorful and makes for interesting reading] and "comprehensive" [Wyman even gives the correct Latin pronunciation of each listed genus (I wish the AHS book did)]-affirm the book's usefulness.

Compared to other gardening encyclopedias, Wyman's has more of the answers more of the time with comprehensive lists, excellent illustrations and diagrams, and best of all, pleasing typography! A heavy user of horticultural reference material, if I were confined to one single source, Wyman's would be it

Offering more information than you'll find anywhere else, this encyclpedia does NOT read like a pretty plant catalogue filled with the usual tired (and brief) descriptions. This book is a labor of love: full and opinionated, proof that a picture is not worth a thousand, well-researched words.

If what you want is information and lots of it, this is your book. It's not sexy and the illustrations remind one of another, earlier, century, but they're nicely explanatory and comfortable. If you read enough you discover he has a sense of humor, also. Reminds me a little of Julia Child or Irma S. Rombauer (the original author of The Joy of Cooking) in confident tone, personal quirkiness and good cheer. Comprehensive coverage in context, and with enough basic science thrown in to help keep you situated.

What it lacks in glitz (American Hort Society books for example), it more than makes up for in information and organization. Covers everything. If you want to look up information on growing a plant, general information about one, diseases it gets and their treatments: this is the place. Further there is copius information on general gardening, recommendations for different conditions, and on and on, all written in a wry style that I enjoy.

If you want beautiful books with lots pictures of pictures try the AHS series, if you want to look stuff up about the pictures, you can not do better than Wyman's.

THIS IS AN OLDER BOOK SO YOU MIGHT NOT ALWAYS FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SINCE PLANTS HAVE CAME ALONG WAY IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. BUT THE BARE BONES ARE GOOD AND YOU CAN SOMETIMES GET DIFFERENT IDEAS FROM IT BECAUSE OF ITS AGE. A GOOD BUY IF YOU BUY IT USED AT A CHEAP PRICE.

You really provided great service and the book I received was in great condition. thanks for your service
Dolores Stouwie