Western Garden Book Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Western Garden Book
Book Review: No Surprise!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my eye on this gem for many years, but the time wasn't right. Now that my wife is really into beautifying our yard (the real motivation for the purchase), she has studied it and wonders why we didn't get started years earlier. It has everything we'll ever need here in Southern California. Our Saturdays seem to be devoted to our landscape, and the Western Garden is the perfect companion for us.Book Review: Sunset Western Garden Guide
Summary: 5 Stars
The "bible" for gardeners. The most used reference book in our house. Can't function without it. Gets better with each new edition.Book Review: The One to Have
Summary: 5 Stars
If you could only have one garden book and you live in the west, this is the one to choose. It is an absolutely indispensable tool for the novice and master gardener alike. Any question regarding a particular plant can usually be answered quickly and easily through this resource. As editor Kathleen N. Brenzel states in the dedication, "This book remains a no-nonsense garden guide for Westerners, built upon the rich legacy of previous editions." It is a guide designed purposely to bring gardening in the west into the new millennium .One of my key questions before purchasing this book was if there were significant improvements over the 1995 which justified the expense of a new copy. That is a question which each individual should assess. The new 2001 edition has significant improvements over the 1995 edition. 2001 contains 768 pages as compared to the 624 of the 1995. The first section of this edition is "Gardening for the New Century" with a look to traditions of the past and ideas for the future.
The Sunset division of climate zones has always been meticulous and more precise than other zone guides. The West has so many micro-climates which are separated by short distances and differ by altitude, morning fog and delta breezes that it is important in choosing plants to know which are likely to survive in your zone. The big addition to the latest edition is that it is inclusive of Alaska, Hawaii and Western Canada. For gardeners who live in these areas, Sunset has now made their day.
The ever thoughtful Plant Selection Section has been reworked to include divisions for color, basic landscaping, special situation and problem solvers. The problem solver is particularly helpful including plants to use for dry areas, shade, seacoast and deer resistant plants.
The meat of the Garden Book has always been its encyclopedia and continues to be. When choosing a plant from a nursery this reference guide is critical. Editors took extra care to make this section even more attractive by including color illustrations of many of the plants. For each plant information included describes zones where they will thrive, exposure to sun, amount of water necessary and if the plant is poisonous.
The Practical Guide to Gardening section provides information on various gardening techniques, problems and pest. Information on weeds, gardening to attract wildlife and drip systems are included in this section.
The last two sections of the Western Garden Book are Public and Historic Gardens and the new Gardening Glossary which is quite helpful to the novice gardener.
The Western Garden Book continues to be an invaluable resource for gardeners of the west. Those who already have the 1995 edition but who feel the need to have all the latest in information and equipment should purchase this edition. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska and Western Canada should be thrilled with this edition. Anyone who is planning a new landscape would also be advised to have the most current version of The Western Garden Book.
Kudos yet again to Sunset for their excellent work.
Book Review: The first book we consult at the nursery.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book does not contain all of the plants for sale in the world, but every plant in the book IS available from nurseries in the west. Having worked at a prominent nursery in San Diego CA, I can tell you that it is the first book we consult for information on plants.
It is an all-inclusive book, with guides for planting situations, many cross-indexes, basic gardening practices, etc. Under "Grapes", there is an entire page (p.370) devoted to trellises and the training of grape vines. The drawings and discussion are the best I've ever seen.
Book Review: a must for western gardeners
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my second copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book. The old copy is tattered and currently in my trunk. That way I am sure to have a reliable reference when I have the urge to purchase a plant. I have only come across one plant that wasn't listed. (Sunset, why did you dis the Dombeya?)
Lots of great photos and tips. It has everything from anatomy to xylem and zones.
It's not just a reference book but an education in gardening.