Reviews (10)

You can learn a lot if you don't fall asleep first.
I am currently enrolled in a floral design program using this book as text.Yes, it is a very imformative book, but Ms. Hunter goes into far to much detail and uses far to many words to get her point across.Maybe it's just me and I am a far more visually oriented person, but trying to learn floral design through the use of a text book so far is not my cup of tea...I think it's a good reference book but that's about it.

Excellent Textbook
I have referred to this textbook throughout the five years since I took my first floral design class.I am now a seasoned designer and sometimes refresh my memory by re-reading chapters.Well-written and illustrated.

Definitely worth buying.
This is a great textbook.Not for casual reading.It has so much information about floral design and care and handling of fresh flowers and foliage.It gives good design illustrations that you can copy and make for your home or for friends and family.I'll be referring to this book for information long after my classes are over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design - Decorative    5. Floral Arts    6. Flower Arranging    7. Flower arrangement    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Subjects:  1. Flowering Plants (Angiospermae)    2. Flowers - Perennials    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Perennials    7. Pruning    8. Techniques    9. Gardening / Techniques    10. Gardening: plants   

Reviews (3)

G R E A T
First of all the book is beautifully presented. The ideas are chic and easy to make. AWSOME floral design book with lots of explanation and beautiful pictures. I LOVE IT! It is an excellent buy for new designers.

Paula Pryke's Flower School: Mastering the Art of Floral Design
I bought the book as a present for my wife who has an interest and talent in floral arranging, but no formal training.She loves the book.It has numerous wonderful color photos and discusses colors and texture in floral arranging.The book covers design ideas for shape and form; balance; harmony; scale and proportion; texture and contrast; movement; dominance; rhythm; repetition; massing flowers; grouping; bunching and bundling; carpeting; layering; manipulating plant material; structural designing; and season.It also has an excellent and informative section on color concepts.A key feature of the book is the step by step instructions for making decorative arrangements, along with photos of the arrangement as described in the steps.I cannot speak for what professional florists would like, but for my wife it was a perfect book.It would have been worth it just to see the beautiful pictures of floral arrangements, but the lessons really make the book what it is.

Very Informative
The step-by-step instructions in the book are extrememly helpful -- but she still allows for the reader to think creatively in their review of her information.It is a beautiful book with many, many photos, including step-by-step photos for the instructions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Flowers    6. Flowers - General    7. Gardening    8. Gardening/Plants    9. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Reviews (6)

A Gardener's Must-have
If you just want to indulge yourself in fabulous photos of every flowering plant imaginable, this book is for you.If you have problem garden spots, this book has special sections to take the guesswork out of planting.If your creativity needs a little nudge in designing a particular type of garden, again, this book contains marvelous options and suggestions, all zone-specific.It's an absolute must for gardeners and beauty-lovers alike!

Incredible reference
Some other reviewers that own this book are right when giving this book high marks. I am a landscape contractor and can attest to the rich information and pictures inside. Although, I wouldn't recomend this bk for the beginning gardener. It has a 'common names' index by which to cross ref backwards with but, if common names are all you are familiar with, this bk may be a bit much to find what you want.However, this bk will tell you if thie plant is evergreen,semievergreen, deciduous, its habit, bloom time, hardiness zones,Hight & Spread, Light & some moisture requirements, etc.The bk is alphabetized with the genus/ Latin names for a reason. These Latin names are how all plants are traced from their origin and habit, regardless of hybridizing or crossing.A Plant may have several common names regionally or for marketing purposes, but will always have the Latin name to trace its' origin. This is why you will see alot of bks with Latin names intead of common names. This bk is a must for landscapers and horticulturists.This is one of the best reference sources I've seen.

Okay Reference
I bought this book primarily because of the review by: W. Oliver "scudder" which mentions the "Plant Selector" feature. It would be a great help if it were accurate. I was particularly interested in being able to cross-reference plants by acid-loving and deer-resistant features. I know that deer will eat anything if hungry; however, many sources from garden centers to university bulletins (and my own experience) note that hostas and tulips are deer candy. Both of these plants are listed deer resistant. Additionally, hollies are also listed as deer resistant. This fall, deer turned my new 8' holly into a topiary! Other than the "Plant Selector" feature, I'm not sure why I need this book along with the A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. To anyone else considering buying the package, I would recommend you don't do it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Flowers - General    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Ornamental Plants    7. Pictorial works    8. Plants, Ornamental    9. Reference    10. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Reviews (2)

Beautiful and a good read too!
Of all the Carolyne Roehm books, this set is my favorite.It had some practical gardening tips as well as the flower arrangements and recipes.If you are expecting a gardening "how to" book, this is not the one.However, the books are beautiful and I enjoyed each one.It gave me many ideas for my own home.I will never have a budget that allows me to purchase 12 dozen roses for one display, however, many of her ideas can be implemented on a smaller scale with less expensive florals.The color combinations were inspiring as well as the examples of matching floral displays to the surroundings.If you love flowers and beautiful table scapes, you will love this book.

overpriced cookbook
A seasonal cookbook with a lot of flowers.Not much design help whatsoever.Not what I wanted ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Flowers - General    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. General    7. Home Gardening    8. Residential Interior Design   

Editorial Review

Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. Read more

Reviews (5)

Masterful, Encyclopedic Guide Full of Helpful Photos
Rick Darke's book is typical of his work. It is extremely well written, a detailed, very thorough guide to ornamental grasses, full of helpful pictures as well as information on growing and maintaining grasses. This book should be a classic for decades to come.

Absolutely Fantastic
This is such a wonderful informational book... AND ... a gorgeous coffee table book. It is terrific from beginning to end! If you like or are interested in, or even thinking about Ornamental Grasses ... then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I can't imagine anyone who has an interest in Ornamental Grasses NOT LOVING THIS BOOK, and would be delighted they purchased it. My only concern is that it is going to look dog-earred from my reading it over and over and over again ... which frankly takes away from its beauty on our coffee table.

Buy 2 copies...
This book is structured, written, photographed and edited with parallel purpose and effect: communication of the author's respect and regard for the book's subject and for its readers. Mr. Darke sets out to inform and does so with enconomy but in full course; when he instructs, he teaches the novice and gives pause to the critic; when he photographs he shows his passion and inspires with the nature and wonder of his subjects. The book is encyclopedic, yet its prose is always to the point with the agreeable dryness of a good, well-bodied wine. Credible, trustworthy, enlightening. This is the best gardening book I have ever read. Negatives? Only one: Mr. Darke's standards are unimpeachable; those of the book's typographer and designer, however, are not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Grasses    7. Ornamental Plants    8. Ornamental grasses    9. Pictorial works    10. Plants - Grasses    11. Reference    12. Gardening / Flowers / Perennials    13. Gardening: plants   

Reviews (8)

The Ultimate Gift for the Lover of Beauty
Carolyne Roehm demonstrates her exquisite taste from the very first page of this lavish book.Organized by season, each chapter celebrates the beauty of all sorts of blossoms in stunning arrangements.These arrangements are lush and full and show an artist's mastery of texture and extraordinary combination of color.The photos are reminiscent of the sumptuousness of the movie, The Age of Innocence, with lovely gilded gold, crystal and porcelain containers. The photography truly is breathtaking and includes not only close ups of the bouquets but also glimpses of elegantly set dining tables, gorgeously furnished rooms and spacious gardens.Her prose is poetry, but also practical in the sections on containers, elements of style and basics.A better book on flower arranging couldn't possibly exist.

**Fantastic Photos**
This book is a joy- the vibrant photos actually helped me through the long Pennsylvania winter.Lots of great tips on arrangements- from colors and containers.I envy Roehme's budget for entertaining!

Incredible photography of the most beautiful flowers
The flowers depicted in this book gave their lives for a truly noble cause and have been honored appropriately by the photographer.Quite simply they were displayed and photographed in the most beautiful fashion possible.Perhaps the key word there is fashion -- Carolyn Roehm has the experience and eye for fashion, having been a former designer, and that experience may be what enabled her to display the flowers in a way that truly does them justice.I coveted this book for a long while, having seen it in a bookstore, and couldn't get it out of my mind.Now that I own it, I consider myself very fortunate indeed.The book is divided into the four seasons.Particularly strong are the photos depicting the flowers prevalent in Fall and Spring.The smoky greens, yellows, oranges, reds, and browns of the Fall months's foliage manage to look festive and lovely despite their representing the waining of life until the Spring.The photos of lilacs and daffodils in the section on Spring make one hopeful for the end of winter and make one realize why all that shivering is eventually worthwhile.I loved this book and recommend it heartily for anyone who loves pretty flowers and doesn't particularly have any special horticultural knowledge. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Floral Arts    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flowers    8. Flowers - General    9. Gardening/Plants    10. Pictorial works    11. Floral crafts    12. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Reviews (27)

Don't be dumb - buy the hardcover
If you are serious enough about gardening to want this book, get one that won't fall apart.The hardcover is just a few more bucks, and if you throw in another small item you'll qualify for free shipping.I just replaced my 1988 hardcover edition, and it's still in fabulous condition despite being constantly used.(I keep it sitting in my kitchen, next to my cookbooks, where it can be easily grabbed when a flash of gardening inspiration hits.)The only reason I replaced it was to get the updated information in the newer edition.This book is without a doubt the gold standard of garden books.

Better every edition!
It had been 7 years since I had purchased my last Western Garden Book and I am totally excited about this updated version! I especially appreciate the addition of Alaska and Hawaii, since my climate is not unlike Alaska. My favorite is the "natives" section. Absolutely the best!

a must for western gardeners
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?)
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Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Flowers - General    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Landscape    7. Regional - General    8. Techniques    9. West (U.S.)   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    10. General cookery   

Reviews (20)

Lawn Mowinget al
Pollans description of what is a green thumb and the sysiphean art of mowing reminded me how therapeutic gardening can be and why it cures depression. Thank you Michael for making me look at my roses in a totally different way.You will love this book if you tend to think in pictures and love the art and hard work of gardening.

For the virtual gardener
I picked up this book when I didn't have my own dirt to get my hands into, and I was hoping to garden vicariously through Pollan's essays.
grass is overrated.
This was probably the first book I read that dealt with relations to nature on a practical and philosophical level.I'm not sure if Pollan counts as a philosopher, but the views he presents are very accessible and bring a lot into question.
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Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Flowers - General    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Horticulture (General)    8. Life Sciences - Biology - General    9. Philosophy Of Biology   

Reviews (1)

An excellent reference on native perennials
This A-Z encyclopedia features over 600 species of native plants for the American gardener. All of the plants included here are perennials which are available to purchase in nurseries and mail-order catalogs. This was the author's major criteria for inclusion and some popular plants were omitted because they are not easily obtainable in the trade.
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Subjects:  1. Flowering Plants (Angiospermae)    2. Flowers - Annuals    3. Flowers - Perennials    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Home Gardening    8. Native plant gardening    9. Native plants for cultivation    10. North America    11. Ornamental Plants    12. Plants - General    13. Reference    14. Botany & plant sciences    15. Gardening / Flowers / Perennials    16. Gardening: plants   

Subjects:  1. Floriculture    2. Flowering Plants (Angiospermae)    3. Life Sciences - Botany    4. Life Sciences - Horticulture    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Plants - General    8. Science    9. Botany & plant sciences    10. Gardening: plants    11. Science / Botany   

Reviews (3)

The Complete Book of Floral Design
This is a great book for visual pictures of different arrangements and ideas you may want to put together!! Lots of pretty pictures!

beautiful book
I love the book, and there is some great advice in it but I was looking for abit more of a "how-to" type of book. The book is mostly photos of her work with a black and white section of some instructional aspects of making bouquets, etc. There is also a small encyclopedia-like section of flowers which explains some aspects to the flowers but does not include general price range. I was hoping it would be the only book I needed to buy to do my wedding flowers, but I don't think it will be.

Best floral book ever!!!
This book was a Christmas present and the best floral book I own. The author gives you her wonderful insight into how she draws her inspirations and gives instructions on how to design each arrangement. Beautiful pictures, beautiful designs! I own other books by Paula Pryke, and like them all, but this is my favorite! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Editorial Review

Wreaths and garlands take floral decorations out of the vase and into large-scale special-occasion decorating. Fresh and dried florals, greens, fruits, herbs, and other natural materials can be transformed into wall, door, tabletop, and mantel decor to welcome guests, mark a change of season, utilize a bountiful harvest, celebrate a holiday, or just brighten up a room. Hundreds of color photographs and step-by-step directions for well over a hundred projects fill this vast volume, along with a good introduction to materials, equipment, and techniques. A circlet of fresh flowers surrounds a bowl of floating candles; a swag of seashells and grasses graces a window; a ring of mosses and dried fungi commemorates a country stroll; lovely floral wreaths mark Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day. And of course there are Christmas decorations: a lush bay leaf and dried orange mantelpiece swag; a gold-flecked Yuletide kissing wreath; a lovely Advent candle ring. Complexity ranges from beginner to advanced--from novice wreath maker to expert, there's something here for everyone. Read more

Reviews (1)

Gorgeous, instructive book.
Absolutely lovely book- I've read as many wreath and garland books as I can get my hands on, and this book is superior to most. The quality of the photos and instructions, as well as the great variety of projects,materials, and quantities (of materials) used, contribute to the beauty ofthis book. I love their many ideas for roses, especially, and lavendar.Great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Wreathmaking    6. Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / General    8. Floral crafts   

Reviews (15)

Painting flowers
I just gave this book to my mother, who paint flowers, and she just love it. A lot of excelent models for painting.

Excellent variety and a beautiful presentation
There are many varieties of flowers presented here in beautiful and detailed images.Very little text accompanies the images, but enough to chase down further if other information is needed.It is the images which are the prime focus -- and rightly so.
beautiful book
This is a beatiful book with extreme close-ups of many different types of flowers.The large size also is a plus so that each image looks grand and brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Flowers    3. Flowers - General    4. Individual Photographer    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Photography of plants    8. Pictorial    9. Pictorial works    10. Art / Pictorial    11. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (8)

Beautiful book
I keep this book out and just enjoy looking at it, even when I'm not making anything.Great book.

Ribbonworkk The complete Guide:Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
Excellent easy to follow instructions.Pictures very helpful.

Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
BEAUTIFUL book...worth having just to look at the pictures.BUT the flowers appear to be more difficult to make than I expected. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral Arts    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Ribbon    7. Ribbon flowers    8. Ribbon work    9. Textile Fabric (Applied Arts)    10. Flower making    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Diseases and pests    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Landscape    6. Turf management    7. Turfgrasses    8. Architecture / Landscape   

Reviews (1)

does a great job at covering the basics of turf management
This introductory-level book provides the beginner with the basics of turfgrass management.Scientific names are as up-to-date as possible for the turfgrasses as well as pests that invade them.Diagrams / photos ofgrasses and grass pests could be more extensive, but the cost of the bookwould likely escalate beyond the nominal price of this volume, which makesit attractive for use as a text in an entry-level turfgrass course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Architecture    3. Flowers - General    4. Landscape    5. Technology    6. Turf management    7. Turfgrass Management    8. Architecture / Landscape    9. Gardening    10. Horticulture    11. Landscape art & architecture   

Reviews (13)

Wonderful Garden Resource
Going to the Garden Shop is an experience and if you are like me, want eveything in bloom at any given time. Perennial Combinations does a beautiful job combining color and bloom times so that you can easily plan your garden. There is sometime for every garden size, soil, and light exposue. Beside being practical the illustrations are breathtaking. I wish I had bought this book prior to planning my last garden!

Not for the beginner
I bought this book because this is the first time I've planted perennials and this book has a 5-star rating from the other readers. I have to say that as a beginner, I am completely stumped by the scientific names of the plants that are listed in this book. The photos are nice and the combinations are pretty, but trying to locate these plants at the local garden center - unfortunately employeed with teenagers who are not very familiar with horticulture - is the biggest challenge. At my local garden centers and nurserys it's difficult to locate these specific plants. Not only that, but there are such specific recommendations in the book that if one is not careful, it would be easy to purchase the wrong plant. For example: Phlox vs Early Phlox.
Still a star
PERENNIAL COMBINATIONS by Colston Burrell is another practical and increasingly beautiful Rodale publication (remember those older Rodale volumes printed on coarse pulp paper?).Although this book was published several years ago, it is still a mega-star as far as I am concerned--printed on slick glossy paper and filled with beautiful and clear photographs. The combinations I used worked for me then and they work now in my more mature garden.
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Subjects:  1. Design    2. Floriculture    3. Flowers - Perennials    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Gardens    8. Landscape Design And Planting    9. Perennials    10. Planting design   

Reviews (2)

Great Reference Book
I just got this book today and I am so happy that I purchased it. It is the perfect reference book that i have been looking for. It has great pictures of the flowers and foliage , pronunciation as well as design applications. Great book, a must have to all beginner florist.

Wonderful resource book
A friend of mine recommended this book to me and what a friend he is!Ms. Diehl Scace has written an excellent guide for everyone in the floral design industry.It is very easy to use, has terrific photographs and is packed with useful information.A book like this has been sorely needed in our industry for many years.Buy one for your design library and buy another one for your friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    3. Cut flowers    4. Cut foliage    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flowers - General    8. Gardening / Horticulture    9. Life Sciences - Horticulture    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Floral crafts    13. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry