Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Richard L. Bitner

From the Publisher

Conifers for Gardens is intended to take away the element of uncertainty when you're choosing a plant that may alter your yard for years to come. Profusely illustrated with more than 1,500 crisp photographs and brimming with concise descriptions of both species and their numerous cultivars, this meticulously researched reference provides information — including size, appearance, hardiness, preferred growing conditions and susceptibility to pests and diseases — for almost every hardy conifer you're likely to encounter in the trade, whether it's a tried-and-true favorite or a connoisseur's treasure. So if you've ever been torn between, say, 'Golden Mop', 'Lemon Thread', and 'Sungold' sawara-cypresses, relax — choosing and identifying conifers just got a whole lot easier.

Sue O'Brien - Library Journal

Bitner, who studied horticulture at Longwood Gardens (PA) and is an instructor in the Continuing Education and Professional Gardner Training program there, has penned a comprehensive, illustrated guide to conifers, suitable for beginning to experienced gardeners. Arranged alphabetically by conifer genus, then species, then cultivar, the book includes over 1300 species and cultivars with over 1200 color photographs. Each genus entry includes a general description, range/habitat preference, any pests or disease problems, and cultural information. Species entries include common name, USDA hardiness zones, size, range, a description, and cultural information, followed by a list of the cultivars (many of which are illustrated with photographs) with one-sentence descriptions of each. Appendixes include lists of plants suitable for specific conditions or that possess certain characteristics, lists of places to see examples, and specialty nurseries. This work includes far more text, including cultural information, than D.M. van Gelderen and J.R.P. van Hoey Smith's Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, previously on offer from Timber Press. Libraries with the earlier book should add this to their collections. Recommended for public, academic, and horticultural libraries, except for those located in the Deep South or Southern California.

Product Details

• ISBN: 0881928305
  
• ISBN-13: 9780881928303
• Format: Hardcover, 448pp
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated
• Pub. Date: June 2007
• Sales Rank: 86,504