Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1691470 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

From Amazon.com
According to editor Steve Bender, southern gardeners are conservative, traditional but a bit eccentric in their plant choices (meaning they'll grow whatever Daddy grew, even if it's spotted or carnivorous), and dedicated (as they have to be to continue to weed and mow through the summer). This book celebrates the uniqueness of the southern garden. It's remarkably well organized, with colored page edges demarcating the different sections, the largest of which is the alphabetized plant encyclopedia in the middle. The best part of the book, however, may be the substantial section titled "Plant Selection Guide," which consists of a series of illustrated lists: "Fragrant Plants," "Plants that Attract Butterflies," "Plants Easy to Propagate," "Plants That Tolerate Drought," etc. With its lay-flat binding and excellent index, it's sure to be a favorite garden reference for quite a few gardeners, southern or otherwise.

Ingram
This much anticipated volume is the first major, comprehensive garden guide that reflects the uniquely southern climates. Steve Bender, senior garden writer at "Southern Living" magazine, offers customized advice for all five southern climate zones, making it simple to understand what plant in each zone. The plant encyclopedia features information on more than 5,000 plants .

Customer Reviews

Must-have for Landscape Architects (especially students)
This is the most complete resource I have found, covering annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, grasses and ferns, all in one easy-to-handle volume. Most plant books are huge, heavy hardbacks difficult to carry in a backpack and only address one subject. This is my bible for planting design, as the sections in the front of the book on "Plants for Shade", "Drought-Tolerant Plants", etc. are very helpful in reminding me what plants to use where. However, this book might not be very helpful to amateur gardeners whose knowledge of plants may be limited, as it does not offer suggestions of attractive and successful plant combinations. Also, I wish that Southern Living would publish an updated addition with more recent varieties of plants.

Landscape Architect loves it
I have many garden books, but none is as complete for southern gardeners. This book is more than just an overview. It does a great job of giving the different characteristics of the many varieties of each plant listing. Very up to date. Useful for professionals and weekend gardeners.

Good reference guide
I use this book as a reference guide when deciding what new plants to buy. I would have given it five stars, except the book does not have a lot of information and recommendations on techniques for gardening in the south. However, the alphabetical reference section on plants is great.