National Garden Book

Rating:
Summary: Know how for the garden ignoramus
Review: Essential for anyone who starts out, as well as for the one who knows a bit about flora and fauna and how to bring colour, fragrance and life to his/her home and garden. Thoroughly recommended by one who did not know a toss about gardens but can now actually dabble with an Adenium Obesum in the home!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource!
Review: One of the first books I reach for when I feel I need to look something up. Good for beginners and hardy gardening veterans.

Contains a plant encyclopedia with botanical names. Detailed Climate zone maps and climate descriptions. Does not use USDA zones but a more thorough and detailed zoning system. All zones are described in detail. Zoning includes southern regions of Canada (very useful) but not all of it. (If you live in the northern portion of the provinces you will be disappointed it's not truly for Canada like it claims.) The only thing I wish for are Latitude and Longitude lines on the zone maps.

Also contains: Plant selection guide, Pest and disease reference, Botanical name guide and a gardening dictionary all of which are well explained for beginners.

One of the best of the many general gardening books available that I've picked up. Very handy if you move around quite a bit.

Rating:
Summary: This book is wonderfully complete- a must have!!
Review: The best book of its kind that I've seen. The climate zones are in much greater detail- over 40 climate zones mapped. Cross-indexed for types of plants, such as shade-loving, fragrant, etc. Has glossary, planting guides, everything. This book makes a great "foundational" book for a landscaping reference library.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Complete Reference
Review: This is the most complete reference I have in my collection of garden books. I have yet to find a plant variety that is not in this book. Truly a "must have" for any gardener.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Complete Reference
Review: This is the most complete reference I have in my collection of garden books. I have yet to find a plant variety that is not in this book. Truly a "must have" for any gardener.