F.L.S. J. A. Kelly

Listing over 4,000 plants from over 400 different genera the plants dictionary is fairly comprehensive and includes a number of the less commonly encountered species. According to the dust jacket many of the plants listed "have been chosen for specific characteristics which make them excel in garden conditions, while other more demanding specimens will challenge and reward the experienced gardener".

Preceding the plant dictionary is the 100+ page section Practicalities which covers such matters as Basic Biology, Theory and Practice, Care and Maintenance, Propagation, Pests and Diseases and more; it also includes a Plant Selector. The plant directory is divided into Trees, Shrubs and Conifers, and Climbers and Bamboos. There is also an index.

The Plant Selector section is quite comprehensive, listing plants for specific cultural conditions such as plants for different soil conditions; situations such as cold exposed sites, shade; for particular purposes such as ground cover; and plant habit such as pendulous, upright or fastigiate; and a great deal more. In addition a guide chart to Plant Characteristics covering ten pages lists the plants and highlights their specific requirements, attributes and possible uses.

In the Plant Directory each genus has a general introduction followed by the selected species or culitivars. The individual plant descriptions are often quite brief but succinct and use a number of abbreviations but also often include a more subjective comment. Plant hardiness is indicated by the Royal Horticultural Society's scale which divides plants grown in the UK: H1 to H4, which ranges from plants hardy outside to those requiring protection or heated glass.

The plant dictionary is beautifully illustrated in colour throughout. Not all plants are illustrated but there are anything up to six photographs to a page, they vary in size from quite small to about 1/3 of a page. There are also many photographs, some full-page, in the Practicalities section along with a number of line drawings.

A most useful and informative book from a respected source, it is one to which I make frequent reference… (meer)