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Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses Paperback – January 1, 1998

4.7 out of 5 stars 172 ratings

QUARTO, TEXT FIGURE LINE DRAWINGS, Illustrated

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Serving as an ideal companion to Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs (above), this classic manual offers thorough information on the woody trees and shrubs used in landscaping. Aside from each plant's physical description, there's also an elaboration of hardiness, growth rate, culture, diseases and insects, landscape value, cultivars, and propagation.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stipes Pub Llc
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1998
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 5th
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 1187 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0875637957
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0875637952
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 2.25 x 11.25 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #979,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 172 ratings

About the author

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Michael A. Dirr
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Michael A. Dirr is a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia. He is the author of twelve books, including Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia and the text and reference book, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, and has published more than 300 scientific and popular papers and articles. His teaching, lectures, seminars, garden study tours, and plant introduction programs have contributed enormously to greater horticultural awareness. He has received the highest teaching and gardening awards from the University of Georgia, American Society of Horticultural Science, American Horticultural Society, American Nursery & Landscape Association, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Southern Nursery Association, and Garden Club of America.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
172 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this manual to be an indispensable guide for horticultural students and a wonderful reference for serious tree enthusiasts, praising its detailed and excellent plant descriptions. The book is easy to understand, well-organized, and customers consider it good value. They appreciate the helpful illustrations, with one noting the excellent line drawings, though several mention that none of the existing pictures are in color.

26 customers mention "Information value"26 positive0 negative

Customers find this book to be an indispensable guide for horticultural students and a wonderful reference for those serious about trees, praising its comprehensive coverage of woody plants and nice compilation of trees and shrubs.

"...Most comprehensive book I've found on the subject, well organized and well illustrated. If it's not in here, you can turn to google." Read more

"great reference book to have for every gardener" Read more

"This is a text book and a well written, however I did not have enough knowledge to get the best use out of it...." Read more

"...Positively the most extensive, informative book on the subject. I have recommended it to many serious gardeners...." Read more

18 customers mention "Information quality"17 positive1 negative

Customers praise the book's detailed and excellent descriptions of plants, with one customer noting it's the most comprehensive manual on woody plants, while another mentions the information is easy to locate quickly.

"This book is full of information!..." Read more

"...Very good descriptions, sometimes with helpful illustrations (of leaves, branches, etc.)..." Read more

"...Well laid out, detailed information, excellent visuals." Read more

"...I have recommended it to many serious gardeners. Mr. Dirr is so thorough and easy to read...." Read more

6 customers mention "Reference quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent reference, with one mentioning its useful cross-reference in the back.

"Excellent reference..." Read more

"...the hardback version, not the paperback version, but it is an excellent reference...." Read more

"Dirr's is an industry standard reference that anyone in the business or hobby should have. Well laid out, detailed information, excellent visuals." Read more

"...There is cross reference in the back that has common names...." Read more

6 customers mention "Visual quality"5 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the helpful illustrations in the book, with one customer specifically praising the excellent line drawings.

"Very detailed. I have heard the illustrated issue is even better, but was too costly for someone like me who landscaping is a hobby not a profession." Read more

"...Very good descriptions, sometimes with helpful illustrations (of leaves, branches, etc.)..." Read more

"...The line drawings are excellent and no matter how much you know, you will learn something every time you open this book...." Read more

"...Well laid out, detailed information, excellent visuals." Read more

5 customers mention "Ease of use"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand and read.

"Book is easy to use. Dirr's format is easy to follow. Both Scientific and Common name indexes allow for a quick find." Read more

"...Easy to follow and understand the book lists a multitude of plants and gives detailed information on the plant...." Read more

"...Mr. Dirr is so thorough and easy to read. I purchased many landscape ornamentals based upon his advice and have never been disappointed...." Read more

"Really good and easy to understand" Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive1 negative

Customers find the book to be good value for money.

"Easily worth ten times the price; an indispensable guide for any horticultural student...." Read more

"Good value" Read more

"...I have heard the illustrated issue is even better, but was too costly for someone like me who landscaping is a hobby not a profession." Read more

"...Area Forester was in need of this book and it came in wonderful condition at half the price...." Read more

3 customers mention "Organizability"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the organization of the book, with one mentioning that it is alphabetically arranged.

"...It is arranged in alphabetical order based on Latin name. There is cross reference in the back that has common names...." Read more

"...Well laid out, detailed information, excellent visuals." Read more

"...Most comprehensive book I've found on the subject, well organized and well illustrated. If it's not in here, you can turn to google." Read more

3 customers mention "Color photography"1 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the color photography in the book, with some noting that none of the existing pictures are in color.

"...The only drawback is the lack of many pictures and none of the existing pictures are in color, but for the more experienced landscaper or home owner..." Read more

"...Good for seriously advanced applications. Colored photos would help this publication...." Read more

"...There are not any color pictures or photographs. Merely line drawing for individual leaves and flowers...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is another text book that is actually fun to read. The front contains basic scientific information about plants. Leaf structure and how it is defined, reproduction, flower structure, etc. The body of the book is species of plants and cultivars. There are not any color pictures or photographs. Merely line drawing for individual leaves and flowers. It is arranged in alphabetical order based on Latin name. There is cross reference in the back that has common names.

    I use this book all the time because I am always trying to identify a species of plant, or a cultivar within a species. Mostly for customers, but also myself. It is also quite helpful in determining what cultivars are likely to do well, and which ones have underperformed in the landscape (in the opinion of the author of course). The author frequently expresses his opinion, and he does so in an entertaining fashion that makes using this book fun. There are lists of what plants are quick references for what plants work well in different soil or moisture condition. What zone plants are suited to. Some indicate air pollution tolerance. There is a wealth of information in this publication.

    If you are an amateur looking for an easy identification guide, or something with great photos, this is not going to suit your needs. I would suggest:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881924040/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_img_sol_15

    If you are a student that must buy this book for class....keep this book safe! If you work in the nursery or landscape industry and seriously love plants, this can be one of your best friends.
    13 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2014
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This is a classic book for "plant nerds" ( yes, I'm one). I originally wanted the "current" edition (3rd), but just could not afford it. Then I took a good look at what the 3rd edition covers, read the preface, etc., and compared it to this edition (the 2nd). Guess what? There wasn't that much difference, and this one I could afford! It is a big book, so I would definitely stick to the hardback version, not the paperback version, but it is an excellent reference. The line drawings are excellent and no matter how much you know, you will learn something every time you open this book. If you can afford the 3rd edition, I'm sure you will enjoy it. But if you can't afford the 3rd edition, you will not find this 2nd edition lacking in any important ways. Mr. Dirr's descriptions of the plants is excellent, as are his identification pointers and care requirements. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in plants, professional or novice.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is the tree bible if there ever was one. This has lifetimes of cataloged info on thousands of species. The technical and scientific information is very thorough and I love coming back to this reference book.

    The book is huge, think very very large phone book. The used one I got was in great condition but I do wish I would have splurged and got the hardcover. I use it frequently but its too bad I cant really take it out in the field.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    At first glance this book does not look like much next to the stack of glossy, color gardening books. Spend a half-hour with it and it's value becomes apparent. No photos but that doesn't hurt this book's usefulness at all. The drawings in this book are extremely helpful. I have an "Elm thing" that a relative was positive was an American Elm. I had my doubts since I think it was planted by bird droppings. I opened up the manual and looked at those line drawings and saw the new buds on Siberian Elm are spherical and the ones on American are pointed. The buds on my tree are round. A positive ID.

    Information on how plants do in California is rather sketchy but there are tidbits in this book you won't find anywhere else.

    This is no dry treatise: When Dirr gets on the subject of a plant he hates, it makes entertaining reading. Some of his commentary is thought provoking as well.

    I bought the hardcover. Someone mentioned the thin pages. At 1200 or so pages they need to be to save your back. The cover looks like it can be wiped off with a damp cloth and the binding is sewn, not glued. With reasonable care this book will last a long time.

    Should be on every gardener's shelf.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    If you own one book on this subject this should be the one. Positively the most extensive, informative book on the subject. I have recommended it to many serious gardeners. Mr. Dirr is so thorough and easy to read. I purchased many landscape ornamentals based upon his advice and have never been disappointed. The purchase of this book was a gift but I have owned my copy for many years.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great reference - bought because my electric utility (Duke Energy) uses it as their reference for vegetation management, but it's really useful for all the woody plants we consider for our yard.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is the one book the serious gardener in the northeast must have in her home library. It is the definitive work on trees and shrubs available in our region. If Dirr hasn't described it, the plant will will probably not be successful in our gardens. One caveat: if you are a highly visual person, this is probably not the book for you. Fortunately, Dirr has also published a far less detailed illustrated encyclopedia of hardy trees and shrubs.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2007
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I am an OSU Master Gardener and we are taught to look to the best experts when we research information for ourselves or to give out to the public. This book, Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" and Carl Whitcomb's "Know It and Grow It III" are the best references a person can use when researching woody trees and shrubs for a landscape. Although Whitcomb's book has a map showing regions where the plant would grow best, Dirr's book has by far more trees and shrubs reviewed with more cultivars listed also. Additionally, Dirr's book is listed entirely by scientific name making it easy to locate information about a plant quickly.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • CH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
    Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As stated.