Product Description

Trees and shrubs bring permanence and structure to home landscapes, adding character and beauty to the entire property. They can impart an immediate sense of geography; act as background staging for flower gardens, outdoor living spaces, and childrens play areas; and provide cool shadows and privacy from neighbors and passers-by. They are essential to every beautiful yard, yet many homeowners do not give them the attention that flowers and lawns traditionally receive. Penny OSullivan gives trees and shrubs the respect they deserve in her lively, comprehensive book, The Homeowners Complete Tree Shrub Handbook. Woody plants, she maintains, can be the heart and soul of the home landscape plan. Their contribution to the yard might include a springtime canopy of blossoms; colorful, delicious summer fruit; a regal year-round silhouette; rough and rugged bark; or seasonally changing foliage. Their presence is a soothing anchor in the ever-changing environment of a typical yard. In three sections design, plant profiles, and care this handbook covers every essential consideration of tree and shrub gardening. After an introduction to the principles of garden design, OSullivan guides readers through tree and shrub selection, with special considerations for owner expectations and growing conditions. The heart of the book is the extensive encyclopedia of hundreds of tree and shrub portraits. Each profile covers ease of cultivation, availability, history, hardiness, size, growth rate, and special characteristics. OSullivan also includes warnings about plants not to grow, such as invasive exotics and disease-prone trees and shrubs. The final section covers care and maintenance, with thorough advice on buying and planting; siting; pruning; fertilizing; and coping with diseases, pests, and environmental problems. Adding trees and shrubs to a home landscape can be an expensive proposition. To make their purchases and protect their investment, homeowners will constantly refer to this book for O'Sullivans wise advice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #323121 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-12
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 3.25 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

Review
A LANDSCAPER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA. Here's the big, thick book on everything you want to know about trees and shrubs. St. Petersburg Times Most gardeners are practical people who need a lot of information on a lot of issues. That s why I really like this down-to-earth 416-page rundown on the ambitious topic of trees and shrubs. Harrisburg Patriot-News The real jewel of this volume is the extensive A-Z directory of nearly 350 trees and shrubs, many offering more than on season of interest. There is even a handy pronunciation guide for every plant name. Library Journal This book looks great, a true encyclopedia on trees and shrubs and how to select and care for them. The Journal-News an all-inclusive guide to choosing, planting, and caring for these wonderful woody plants. The Journal Inquirer (Manchester, Conn.) This handbook is a source of inspiration and seasoned advice for making sound choices from the start and maintaining your plants as they develop and grow. Lexington Herald-Leader One problem with garden books that try to say too much about everything is that they often end up saying too little about anything. Happily, this is not the case with The Homeowner s Complete Tree Shrub Handbook by garden designer and author Penelope O Sullivan. The American Gardener

It's always hard to find exactly what you want in plant identification books. Not enough detailed photos, no mention of common problems, not enough emphasis on the best cultivars or plant sizes. The Homeowner's Complete Tree Shrub Handbook: The Essential Guide to Choosing, Planting, and Maintaining Perfect Landscape Plants by Penelope O'Sullivan (Storey Publishing, 2007) solves a lot of those problems. The introductory section discusses how to use plants in the landscape, then moves on to choosing the right plant for the right place, with excellent lists of trees and shrubs for sun shade, wet dry soils, etc. In addition, the author has lists you seldom see elsewhere: top choices for standout barks, colorful evergreens, unusual textures, striking silhoutettes. Another section on plant care covers major diseases, pollution-tolerant plants and also planting, pruning, and rejuvenating shrubs. Each entry in the A to Z list of trees and shrubs has a general plant description, an excellent section on landscape use, followed by "Designer's Choice" -- a listing of the best cultivars on the market. Photographs by Karen Bussolini would be quite helpful in identification. (Garden Design Online )

From the Back Cover
Four-Season Drama for Every Yard Trees and shrubs frame your property and add a sense of structure to the ever-changing environment of your yard. This comprehensive guide explains the principles and practicalities of bringing magnificent woody plants to every landscape. Learn to use basic landscape design theories to select trees and shrubs that complement your property. Answer a detailed questionnaire to identify trees and shrubs that suit your needs and preferences. Enjoy spring flowers, summer fruits, fall foliage, and winter's bare branches with four-season design suggestions. Shop and plant with assurance, choosing woodies from nurseries, home and garden centers, and mail-order sources. Find everything you need to knowfrom planting tips to maintenance adviceto keep plants healthy and happy. Browse profiles of 357 reliable trees and shrubs. Each entry features how best to use the plant in your landscape, along with complete growing information.

About the Author
Penelope O Sullivan is the author of numerous gardening books and contributor to many magazines, including Country Gardens, Country Home, Traditional Home, and several Better Homes and Gardens special interest publications. She has a garden design business in New Hampshire.