American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide ... (ISBN 0756603153)

Amazon.com Review:
All new gardeners need a basic plant encyclopedia as one of their first reference books. This pocket-size guide is just that, a great source for identifying and caring for plants from anemones to yuccas. Close-up color photos will aid any gardener attempting to name that funny-looking flower by the door, or which type of maple is living in your new back yard. Because this book is arranged alphabetically, complete novices will find it easier to search by looking at the pictures than by using the names--quick, what's a papaver rhoeas? The planting guide, which includes a brightly colored zonal map, is divided into sections of both plant groupings (colorful foliage, good in containers) and climate concerns (shade, drought). By cross-referencing these areas, beginners will have a selection of sure-fire winners for their first attempts. While you'll be tempted to dive right into choosing plants, take a moment to read the introduction--you'll find the planting code hidden there, and it's better to have those mysterious symbols decoded from the start. The glossy cover and sturdy binding make this a great little title to drag right out in to the garden with you. The cover wipes clean easily, and the folding inside flap makes a handy place marker. --Jill Lightner

Inspiring Collection of Dreamy Plants:
If you dream of finding beautiful flowers, the new updated and revised American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guide is impressive. With over 3000 recommended plants and guides for plants for containers, this book was rather handy when planting a new container garden. On page 674 and 675 you can find a Plant Heat-Zone Map which gives 12 heat zones. Most plants are featured with a picture and short description. Then, you can find symbols for the preferred soil type, sun/shade preferences and hardiness zone ranges. The plants without pictures are listed in The Planting Guide and feature trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials and bulbs suitable for specific site or garden situations. Features: Advice on how to buy plants through the mail How to choose healthy bulbs Understanding Plant Names Plants to attract Birds Plants to attract Butterflies Plants for Cold or Warm Walls Flower for drying or cutting Architectural plants Cottage-garden-style plants Trees for Small gardens Flowering hedges You can look up a flower in the index. Like, say "Petunia." This gives you a few names and then you can search for advice on how/where to plant your favorites. Since I just moved further away from my dear mother, we have both planted Petunias. So now when we look out of our window to our planters, we will think of each other. It was my mother's idea and she loves gardening. My grandmother used to grow roses and it seems everyone in my family has a green thumb. Our family loves going to gardens and learning flower names. This book is perfect for travel and is very useful when shopping for plants that have not yet bloomed. You can quickly look up names of plants alphabetically. For more detailed information on Container Gardening, look up the book by the same name by Paul Williams. His book taught me the best way to create an inspiring masterpiece. Now onto dreaming about planting a new lavender garden in the near future. I am also intrigued by some of the vines in this book. The blue trumpet vine looks interesting and in the zone I'm living in, I could quite possibly grow a passionflower vine. Seattle and Issaquah were a bit too cold and rainy. There are some stunning flower selections interspersed with familiar flower faces. If it was my choice, I'd spend all my time writing, cooking and planting flowers while listening to inspiring music. What a life! This book is sure to inspire some of your own gardening dreams. ~The Rebecca Review

It's so handy...:
The AHSGPG is a wonderful little book. It has practically every living plant known to man. Not only does it give descriptions on plants/trees/shrubs, but this book also gives you a climate planting guide, as well as suggestions on the different kinds of plants to plant in different areas of the U.S. Even small container gardens, shade gardens, full sun gardens along with different soil limitations. It's small size is what I love...small enough to tuck in a purse when going plant shopping!

Nice book, but not for everyone:
I think this is a very nice book; it is very informative. However, I was surprised when I received it that it was pocket sized and the typeface was very small. It can be difficult to read for some people.

Contains 3,000 recommended plants:
The revised, updated new edition of the American Horticultural Society's Great Plant Guide is truly an outstanding achievement. A fat but genuinely pocket-sized guide contains 3,000 recommended plants, color photos, and an A-Z format for quick consultation. Add at-a-glance charts of required conditions and you have a reference which is useful and colorful.

American Horticultural Society Great Plant Guid (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides):
Not a real user friendly book. It's small size would be nice if you wanted to take it say as a dictionary with you to the nursery. Otherwise, save your money. There are many many more books on the market that would be a better buy for your money.