The Colour Encyclopedia Of Ornamental Grasses

Shows and describes hundreds of species of ornamental grasses, including ways to use them

Revised and expanded version of book by the same title, with search software and footnote and bookmark functions, and nearly two dozen new plants and more than 200 new color photographs not found in the book.

This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. At the heart of the book is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos. Many of the most important plants are illustrated in more than one season. This book is intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, and draws from the experience and creativity of great gardens and gardeners around the world. It is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners who seek to extend their knowledge of these beautiful and useful plants.

A comprehensive reference combines an alphabetical listing of hundreds of species of grasses and grass lookalikes, with detailed descriptions of each that includes information on appearance, height, spread, behavior, and hardiness, as well as more than one thousand full-color photographs and guidelines for using such plants in a variety of landscapes.

The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses provides descriptions of over 250 grasses. For each major entry, the encyclopedia features a color photograph of the grass, plus a special information box that gives the grass's botanical and common names, hardiness zone, origin, and preferred sites. A comprehensive description follows, with information on the grass's physical characteristics (color, habit, height, and flowers), landscape uses (for example, as a border in masses, as an accent, or for cutting), culture and propagation (its preferred conditions and propagation methods), and any potential pests or problems. Cultivars and varieties are listed as well.

Includes bamboos, sedges, rushes, and cat-tails in addition to descriptions of principal ornamental members of the true grasses. A valuable supplement to Rick Darke's Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses.

"Rick Darke combines a deep horticultural knowledge with extraordinary perceptions as a photographer... through his remarkable tutorage (we)... can see these glorious plants afresh - providing a new appreciation of their many garden uses and values." - John Patrick. This book provides a huge range of grasses in encyclopedic form as well as covering botanical characteristics and how grasses can be used for garden design, and ecological and cultural landscapes. He is one of the world's great botanical photographers and in the 484 pages, there are over 1000 brilliant images of individual plants and hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part.

"Ornamental Grasses for Western Gardens" by Marilyn Raff shows how ornamental grasses, add beauty and function in any setting.