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 Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)
Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.
Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?
Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.
One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
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Product Description
Collecting contributions from 100 distinguished horticulturists, the handsome and lavishly illustrated Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is a truly definitive gardening reference. With its 1,092 tiny-print pages, this may not be the book to tuck into your pocket as you weed and mulch, but what this encyclopedia lacks in portability, it certainly makes up for in scope. Hardy and tender plants, heirloom varieties and the latest hybrids--they're all accounted for here, with growing tips and background information about native habitats and ornamental features. You'll also find a fascinating section about botany, as well as information about basic gardening techniques such as mulching, staking, pruning, propagating and protecting plants for winter. But the encyclopedia's main attraction is the individual plant entries--more than 15,000 of them, embellished with 6,000 full-colour photographs and illustrations. From the visual glossary of leaves to the map of growing regions, the Royal Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plants provides an unsurpassed wealth of botanical information, making it the yardstick by which all other gardening references must be measured.
Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
Anyone can cram enough time into their week to grow vegetables!, 15 Sep 2008
So many people take an allotment plot on with great intentions - then realise the commitment and aren't able to keep it up. This book provides all the information that could be needed to manage your plot in minimum time. This means it's not necessarily for everyone - those who are able to spend long days on their plot may not feel that it's applicable to them. But I'd suggest that the book still contains plenty of hints, tips and advice on how to get the best from your plot.
Excellent advice for a busy first time allotmenters!, 12 Jul 2008
This book has been really helpful in getting us started and motivated. Lots of practical and sensible advice for a busy first time allotment family.
Time management for allotments, 10 Apr 2008
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.
the best investment a new plotholder can make, 11 Mar 2008
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.
Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.
Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.
The Half Hour Allotment, 04 Mar 2008
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
Anyone can cram enough time into their week to grow vegetables!, 15 Sep 2008
So many people take an allotment plot on with great intentions - then realise the commitment and aren't able to keep it up. This book provides all the information that could be needed to manage your plot in minimum time. This means it's not necessarily for everyone - those who are able to spend long days on their plot may not feel that it's applicable to them. But I'd suggest that the book still contains plenty of hints, tips and advice on how to get the best from your plot.
Excellent advice for a busy first time allotmenters!, 12 Jul 2008
This book has been really helpful in getting us started and motivated. Lots of practical and sensible advice for a busy first time allotment family.
Time management for allotments, 10 Apr 2008
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.
the best investment a new plotholder can make, 11 Mar 2008
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.
Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.
Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.
The Half Hour Allotment, 04 Mar 2008
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it
gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.
The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!
My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.
RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW! It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way. This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use! I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
Anyone can cram enough time into their week to grow vegetables!, 15 Sep 2008
So many people take an allotment plot on with great intentions - then realise the commitment and aren't able to keep it up. This book provides all the information that could be needed to manage your plot in minimum time. This means it's not necessarily for everyone - those who are able to spend long days on their plot may not feel that it's applicable to them. But I'd suggest that the book still contains plenty of hints, tips and advice on how to get the best from your plot.
Excellent advice for a busy first time allotmenters!, 12 Jul 2008
This book has been really helpful in getting us started and motivated. Lots of practical and sensible advice for a busy first time allotment family.
Time management for allotments, 10 Apr 2008
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.
the best investment a new plotholder can make, 11 Mar 2008
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.
Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.
Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.
The Half Hour Allotment, 04 Mar 2008
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it
gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.
The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!
My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.
RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW! It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way. This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use! I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.
An excellent guide to growing fruit by the RHS, 15 Jan 2006
I have found this to be an invaluable book which I have used together with the Fruit Expert by Dr Hessayon. The latter is in full colour and is probably a superior guide to choosing your fruit trees and bushes with descriptions, colour pictures and ratings of lots of varieties. The RHS book is aimed at the planting, pruning and care of your fruits once chosen (although it does have short descriptions of the more popular varieties but no pictures of them). This book is in black and white and one other colour but this doesn't really detract from the numerous beatiful drawings. It has comprehensive detail with illustrations on planting and long term care of your fruit trees/ bushes. In particular it has illustrations of pruning for each fruit and each year of growth of that fruit in each of the growing styles available (eg illustrations of how to prune maiden, 2yr, 3yr, 4yr old trees, cordons, fans, pyramids, espaliers for apples with different illustrations for each fruit covered). This scores significantly over the fruit expert book which is much more limited in this regard with very generalised pruning techniques which you have to try and extrapolate to different types of fruit and different years of growth.
In summary an excellent book once you have chosen which variety to plant.
The first book to own if you want to grow fruit in yourself., 09 May 2000
The book is very well presented, with good pictures, photographs and text. Included are all the old favorites plus quite a few unusual or exotic fruits. The RHS get top marks for providing all the information that you will need to successfully grow fruit and presenting it in a very easy to understand way. Whether you are a beginner or a dedicated horticulturalist this book is definately one for the potting shed.
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
Anyone can cram enough time into their week to grow vegetables!, 15 Sep 2008
So many people take an allotment plot on with great intentions - then realise the commitment and aren't able to keep it up. This book provides all the information that could be needed to manage your plot in minimum time. This means it's not necessarily for everyone - those who are able to spend long days on their plot may not feel that it's applicable to them. But I'd suggest that the book still contains plenty of hints, tips and advice on how to get the best from your plot.
Excellent advice for a busy first time allotmenters!, 12 Jul 2008
This book has been really helpful in getting us started and motivated. Lots of practical and sensible advice for a busy first time allotment family.
Time management for allotments, 10 Apr 2008
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.
the best investment a new plotholder can make, 11 Mar 2008
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.
Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.
Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.
The Half Hour Allotment, 04 Mar 2008
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it
gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.
The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!
My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.
RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW! It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way. This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use! I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.
An excellent guide to growing fruit by the RHS, 15 Jan 2006
I have found this to be an invaluable book which I have used together with the Fruit Expert by Dr Hessayon. The latter is in full colour and is probably a superior guide to choosing your fruit trees and bushes with descriptions, colour pictures and ratings of lots of varieties. The RHS book is aimed at the planting, pruning and care of your fruits once chosen (although it does have short descriptions of the more popular varieties but no pictures of them). This book is in black and white and one other colour but this doesn't really detract from the numerous beatiful drawings. It has comprehensive detail with illustrations on planting and long term care of your fruit trees/ bushes. In particular it has illustrations of pruning for each fruit and each year of growth of that fruit in each of the growing styles available (eg illustrations of how to prune maiden, 2yr, 3yr, 4yr old trees, cordons, fans, pyramids, espaliers for apples with different illustrations for each fruit covered). This scores significantly over the fruit expert book which is much more limited in this regard with very generalised pruning techniques which you have to try and extrapolate to different types of fruit and different years of growth.
In summary an excellent book once you have chosen which variety to plant.
The first book to own if you want to grow fruit in yourself., 09 May 2000
The book is very well presented, with good pictures, photographs and text. Included are all the old favorites plus quite a few unusual or exotic fruits. The RHS get top marks for providing all the information that you will need to successfully grow fruit and presenting it in a very easy to understand way. Whether you are a beginner or a dedicated horticulturalist this book is definately one for the potting shed.
A Real Stunner, 30 Oct 2007
I bought this book over a year ago and it is an absolute stunner of a reference guide for the beginner as well as the more knowledgeable. Not only is a full description given of each plant with pictures, but also a great deal of information on plant combinations - a lot of good ideas to pinch and put in your own garden. The large photographs at the beginning of each chapter are superb. I wouldn't be without this classic.
Easy to use and above all helpful, 16 Sep 2007
The photos are good, and large enough to be useful. Every few pages there is a gardenscape picture showing how various plants look in combination, which I have found really helpful in deciding which cultivar would 'fit in' best. A great book to browse
The new bible of garden perennials, 07 Sep 2006
I saw an advance copy of this encyclopedia and it is spectacular. It says there are over 5000 plants described, but it's actually almost 7000! It's the only perennials encyclopedia written in such an easy and accessible manner, without all the technical jargon and botanical terms that trip you up - you can actually read the descriptions and enjoy them, with the writers the most knowledgable in their fields. The book is enhanced throughout with sidebar boxes that add a lot of new details and help you understand new trends, invasive plants, orchids, name changes and so much more. Thousands of excellent pictures let you see what's being talked about. Editor Graham Rice has done the impossible and created a new classic. This is an absolute must for the bookshelf, and will be used over and over and over again.
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!) Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book. Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention? Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one. One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I truly believe that there worth every penny that I've paid!. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, 04 Oct 2006
I have an older edition of this book (1996 version), which is in one volume and is very bulky/heavy so I was delighted to see that the newer edition has been split into 2 volumes. Working in the Landscape design industry, I have found this book to be a valuable reference source since leaving college and the book has stood up to daily use in the office from myself and my colleagues for the past six years! The alphabetical listing (I'm presuming the new edition is the same) is very useful because you don't have to go to an index first. It gives a huge amount of information about each species and even a description of many variants and cultivars. It is the perfect compliment to other books that divide the species into plant use e.g. plants best for shade etc. and I would highly recommend it. Best book I ever bought at a good price!, 22 Jan 2005
I am not much of a writer but I am honest and I bought this book to use as a reference to identify plants that appeared in Latin on a wholesale plant list,as my knowledge is limited to a few I can identify myself. The book turned out to be two excellent volumes housed in their own folder/binder and were very heavy and well made with the original high price label still showing.When the post arrived delivering these I thought I had made an error and ordered too many they are so big.The illustrations are in full colour photo format with easy to understand information to suit novice and professional alike and I was so impressed I have bought my Dad one for his Birthday and one for my neighbour as she was so impressed with it. Excellent Investment, 21 Dec 2003
I got sick of being a cook, so I've started an RHS General Certificate and letterboxing local Swiss as a garden maintenence service provider. I needed a comprehensive book covering the full range of plants I might encounter and this one's got them all! It begins by proceeding through the various ornamental plant groups (grasses, aquatic etc.), which is a bonus if you have no idea what you are looking for, because the initial groupings use many of the genus names which then allow you to attack what initially looks like an overwhelming book. It cost a fortune in Swiss francs but worth every penny. I suspect this book will be with me for life. A Brirish horticultural extravaganza, 07 Jan 2001
Since established in 1804, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has been at the forefront of all things horticultural. Indeed, it represents all things British - the Empire travels, collects, and stores... And the benefits are immense to gardeners! This volume is dear, but valuable. There is a two-volume edition, which makes it easier to refer to. Otherwise, the binding breaks, or your back, trying to browse too frequently... This volume is probably the only publication of its kind, and presents a formidable achievement. However, a thumbed-index-type version would be more useful, while an accent on native plants, rather than an infinite greenhouse tropics bias, should prove handy.
Anyone can cram enough time into their week to grow vegetables!, 15 Sep 2008
So many people take an allotment plot on with great intentions - then realise the commitment and aren't able to keep it up. This book provides all the information that could be needed to manage your plot in minimum time. This means it's not necessarily for everyone - those who are able to spend long days on their plot may not feel that it's applicable to them. But I'd suggest that the book still contains plenty of hints, tips and advice on how to get the best from your plot.
Excellent advice for a busy first time allotmenters!, 12 Jul 2008
This book has been really helpful in getting us started and motivated. Lots of practical and sensible advice for a busy first time allotment family.
Time management for allotments, 10 Apr 2008
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.
the best investment a new plotholder can make, 11 Mar 2008
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.
Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.
Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.
The Half Hour Allotment, 04 Mar 2008
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it
gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.
The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!
My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.
RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW! It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way. This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use! I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.
An excellent guide to growing fruit by the RHS, 15 Jan 2006
I have found this to be an invaluable book which I have used together with the Fruit Expert by Dr Hessayon. The latter is in full colour and is probably a superior guide to choosing your fruit trees and bushes with descriptions, colour pictures and ratings of lots of varieties. The RHS book is aimed at the planting, pruning and care of your fruits once chosen (although it does have short descriptions of the more popular varieties but no pictures of them). This book is in black and white and one other colour but this doesn't really detract from the numerous beatiful drawings. It has comprehensive detail with illustrations on planting and long term care of your fruit trees/ bushes. In particular it has illustrations of pruning for each fruit and each year of growth of that fruit in each of the growing styles available (eg illustrations of how to prune maiden, 2yr, 3yr, 4yr old trees, cordons, fans, pyramids, espaliers for apples with different illustrations for each fruit covered). This scores significantly over the fruit expert book which is much more limited in this regard with very generalised pruning techniques which you have to try and extrapolate to different types of fruit and different years of growth.
In summary an excellent book once you have chosen which variety to plant.
The first book to own if you want to grow fruit in yourself., 09 May 2000
The book is very well presented, with good pictures, photographs and text. Included are all the old favorites plus quite a few unusual or exotic fruits. The RHS get top marks for providing all the information that you will need to successfully grow fruit and presenting it in a very easy to understand way. Whether you are a beginner or a dedicated horticulturalist this book is definately one for the potting shed.
A Real Stunner, 30 Oct 2007
I bought this book over a year ago and it is an absolute stunner of a reference guide for the beginner as well as the more knowledgeable. Not only is a full description given of each plant with pictures, but also a great deal of information on plant combinations - a lot of good ideas to pinch and put in your own garden. The large photographs at the beginning of each chapter are superb. I wouldn't be without this classic.
Easy to use and above all helpful, 16 Sep 2007
The photos are good, and large enough to be useful. Every few pages there is a gardenscape picture showing how various plants look in combination, which I have found really helpful in deciding which cultivar would 'fit in' best. A great book to browse
The new bible of garden perennials, 07 Sep 2006
I saw an advance copy of this encyclopedia and it is spectacular. It says there are over 5000 plants described, but it's actually almost 7000! It's the only perennials encyclopedia written in such an easy and accessible manner, without all the technical jargon and botanical terms that trip you up - you can actually read the descriptions and enjoy them, with the writers the most knowledgable in their fields. The book is enhanced throughout with sidebar boxes that add a lot of new details and help you understand new trends, invasive plants, orchids, name changes and so much more. Thousands of excellent pictures let you see what's being talked about. Editor Graham Rice has done the impossible and created a new classic. This is an absolute must for the bookshelf, and will be used over and over and over again.
Fantastic, 22 Apr 2008
I just love this book! I've already spent a few happy hours armchair gardening. You can choose a favourite plant and find suggestions for others that harmonise or provide contrast but importantly flower at the same time and prefer similar conditions of light, shade, soil moisture and pH etc. You can then look up the entries for these plants for another set of suggested neighbours and so on... You can play a form of "Mornington Crescent" by seeing how many times you repeat this process before you come across "Verbena bonariensis". Maybe I should get out more and put my plans into action!
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Customer Reviews
Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)
Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.
Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.
Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?
Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.
Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.
Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.
This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.
One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.
"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
Excellent book!, 30 Sep 2008
This is an excellent and informative Book, a superb set to add to my already overflowing bookcase almost every plant your ever likely to to want information on is in these two books! from Abelia to Zycopetalum and over 6,000 stunning colour photographs and 15,500 detailed plant profiles just like the blurb says. The books come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve/box which does a good job of protecting them from the odd bump or scratch although I would recommend buying protective plastic dust jackets for extra protection. The first book also has a nice forward by the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Peter Buckley and also a few very detailed pages explaining how to use the books as well as some useful pages entitled "Botany For The Gardener" which discuss topics ranging from plant kingdoms through to leaf and flower structure (the most detailed explanations which I have every seen!).
When I first paid for these books I couldnt help but feel some what disappointed at the price of but now that I have had the chance to actually read through them I understand the amount of work and effort which has gone in to them and I tr | | |