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Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010158302 | SB428 B57 2007 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
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.
Reviews 3
Booklist Review
Novice gardeners and savvy designers alike often learn by error when planting conifers. Time passes, and a young specimen may reveal itself as inappropriate for the site for various reasons. Devotee Bitner presents an encyclopedic reference for guidance in selecting coniferous plants to beautify small gardens or thrive in any given landscape. Botanical background is provided along with design advice for everything from topiary to an inviting allée, a forested backdrop to a sequestered nook. To illustrate the breathtaking range of species and cultivated varieties of shrubs and trees--conifers in their myriad shapes and sizes--1,200 photographs accompany entries describing the hardiness and character of exotic Araucaria and Ginkgo, yew and spruce, cypress and false cypress, firs, cedars, pines, and numerous types of junipers. The enlightening counsel provides detailed plant profiles and cultivation requirements that help demystify conifer selection. Bitner is equally adept at explaining how to identify unusual deciduous species, or specimens in their habitat, pointing out form, foliage, cones, and bark. An excellent resource.--Joyce, Alice Copyright 2007 Booklist
Choice Review
Both home and professional gardeners will find this encyclopedia of conifers a highly valuable resource for choosing varieties most fitting to their landscape design. The encyclopedia is arranged hierarchically by family, species, and cultivars. An introduction to each family--fir, spruce, pine, yew, arborvitae, hemlock, juniper, and more--provides a concise overview of habitat, culture, and common pests. Species descriptions are followed by lists of cultivars. Libraries owning Conifers: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, by D. M. van Geleren and J. R. P. van Hoey Smith (1996), will find Bitner's work a welcome, more current complement to that title. As a planning resource for gardeners confronted with a vast, confusing array of nursery cultivars, this volume will prove itself highly useful. The beautiful, illustrative photographs, which number more than 1,500, are an outstanding feature of this encyclopedia. The appendix includes a useful guide for selecting plants for specific characteristics or purposes, and a directory of gardens and arboretums for viewing conifers. Summing Up: Recommended. Public libraries and academic libraries with horticulture or landscape architecture programs; lower-/upper-level undergraduates, professionals, and general readers. L. F. Lister Colorado College
Library Journal Review
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.-Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
