What Gardeners Grow

April 1, 2023

Gardeners hoping to expand their repertoires can glean expert advice in this variation on a traditional plant encyclopedia. It's a collection of personal insights about favorite and much-loved plants, shared by 250 gardeners, landscape designers, and others who work with plants, mostly in the UK. More than 600 plants--flowers, trees, fruits, and vegetables--are described in short entries written in a variety of styles. For example, some entries are highly technical and include the history of the species and growing specifications, whereas other contributions lean toward personal anecdotes or evocative descriptions of a plant's appearance. Numerous plants are showcased with bold to winsome illustrations. Basic statistics about each plant are provided, including type, height, sun/shade, soil, and hardiness zone (both USDA and RHS). The plants and contributors are presented in no specified order, but there are indexes for both. VERDICT Experienced gardeners and other plant aficionados will likely enjoy exploring this distinctive compilation. Recommended for larger public libraries and ones with a botanical focus.--Anitra Gates

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