Book Description
Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design and require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round. Featuring the work of more than 50 professional garden designers and creative homeowners, this complete design compendium is as practical as it is inspirational. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, it gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. Beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three-dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.
Customer Reviews:
informative.......2007-09-20
As a newcomer to succulents, I found this volume to be full of beautiful photos and wonderful information. It is a joy to peruse during a lull or sad moment. I had no idea how vast the subject is...........Debra Lee Baldwin has earned earned her prized reputation.
Just what I needed.......2007-09-18
Want to reduce water use in the garden and had no idea where to start with succulents. This is a great balance of practical and inspirational (pretty pictures).
Just in time.......2007-09-09
Hello Debra,
I am writing to tell you how much I love your book! I moved to
Carefree, AZ
two years ago from the San Francisco Bay Area (where I did garden
design and
everything grew) and have immersed myself in the study of all things
desert.
Your book is beautiful and informative and a breath of fresh air in
landscape design.
Thank you, thank you!
Erin
Great Book!.......2007-09-03
This book provides stunning photo's of some of the most beautiful landscape design work with succulents I have seen. As an owner of a retail shop selling pots for the garden, I leave it on my counter for my customers to refer to for ideas. Good, good stuff.
Wonderful resource for the Southwest gardener.......2007-08-24
This is an outstanding resource for gardeners of the Southwest and in particular Southern California. Excellent photos and very informative text. Provides numerous intriguing examples of what you can do especially if you are seeking to save water and reduce irrigation. What is surprising is all the wonderful variety and amazing color succulents provide year around.
Book Description
Only now, at the beginning of the new millennium, is there an up-to-date, comprehensive study of the cactus family. This long-awaited, monumental work covers the Cactaceae in an encyclopedic manner, addressing 125 genera and 1810 species. The most comprehensive single resource on the subject available today, it includes more than 1000 color photographs in addition to other illustrations. The introduction to each genus concentrates on the discovery of the cacti, and the improvements in our understanding of them, many of which result from relatively recent investigation. As stated in the foreword, "Cacti have a special fascination all their own. Miniature spiny dwarf cacti less than an inch in diameter are hidden in the arid regions of North and South America; the majestic columns of the giant saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea, dominate the deserts of Arizona. Yet all these cacti, given time, offer the surprising paradox of brilliant flowers, their delicacy a striking contrast to the strong spines that keep the viewer at a respectful distance." This remarkable diversity is fully described and illustrated in this authoritative encyclopedia, which is both scientifically accurate and readable. It also includes a chapter by Roger Brown on the cultivation of cacti, making the book even more useful to growers and hobbyists, as well as to taxonomists, ethnobotanists, and conservationists — indeed, anyone interested in succulent plants.
Customer Reviews:
A must have for cactus collectors.......2007-07-24
This is considered the 'Bible' for cactus collectors and researchers alike. Well worth the money for the information and photos.
I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD ABOUT THIS WORK.......2006-08-01
I can start with the old line "I I had only one book on cacti....." Well, this would certainly be the one. I spend a great amount of time traveling and photographing flowering and interesting plants, cactus being among them. I also collect this type of plant. I have found this work to be almost absolutely necessary for identification purposes and it certainly enhances by hobby of collecting and attempting to raise. As one reviewer points out, this is not a simple book of pretty plants. This is the real thing. There is absolutely a wealth of information here. I never travel area where cacti grow without it. The text is quite readable. There are indeed many, many wonderful color plates. It makes by hobby much more interesting and enjoyable. Recommend this one highly.
Simply the Best.......2004-10-28
Where do you start with a book of this magnitude? (well I had to borrow a review copy from an editor friend of mine, unfortunately he wanted it back). The author a Senior Research Botanist spent most of his lifetime amassing the information that forms this book and then sadly died only two weeks after publication. This is a book for the serious hobbyist. If you are looking for nice photographs of plants in pots, this is probably not the book for you. Having said that there are enough photographs in this book to satisfy even the most avid plant spotter (1016 colour plates.) "Is this plant an Acanthocalycium or an Echinopsis?" This book will give you the answer. In one form or another the book covers most of the Cactaceae family. It is certainly one of the first books to use the nomenclature of the IOS Consensus group. This is a big book 776 pages, "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested" Francis Bacon 1561-1625. This book certainly falls into the latter category and it is a great shame that the author is not with us to take the acclaim he surely deserved, but what a legacy he has left. I would love to own this book and it will be one of the first things I order from Amazon after I've sorted everyone elses Christmas presents out.
Excellent reference for those avid in the hobby of cacti.......2004-08-31
This book is a comprehensive reference of cacti. It contains desciptions of most all the species within each genus. It also has a fairly a good section in the front of the book about the origins and botany of cacti. There are pictures for about half of the listings, though because this is more of reference books they are relatively small. Also very helpful, each listing has the previous or other accepted botanical names for each species.
Outstanding Reference Source!.......2003-12-19
Between 1919 and 1923, a landmark publication in four volumes, The Cactaceae, was published by the Carnegie Institution. It remains a landmark publication in the world's literature on cacti. Edward F. Anderson has produced a massive one volume encyclopedic work, which expands and extends the work of Carnegie Institution. This marvelous resource has been well worth waiting for as it is based on Anderson's forty-five years of research on cacti.
The unique attributes of cacti are discussed in five chapters. Cacti occur naturally and are native to what is called "The New World." Only one species of native cacti is found in tropical Africa. In all other countries of the world where cacti are present, their existence is owed to the early explorers who carried cacti back to Europe on their ships and to birds that dispersed cactus seeds throughout the world.
Cacti as food, both for humans and animals, is addressed along with the medicinal uses of cacti. Cacti have long been used for ceremonial and religious purposes by indigenous peoples of the New World and as a source of dyes, especially the beautiful red cochineal dye. A chapter on cacti cultivation has been contributed by Roger Brown. For those interested in growing cacti in their homes and gardens, Brown's advice on containers, potting and repotting, air circulation and ventilation, pests, pesticides, and propagation is a valuable bonus to this specialized encyclopedia.
Pages 105 through 681 contain over 1,000 stunning color photographs (many photographed by Anderson), which are overwhelming in their portrayal of both the beauty and the idiosyncratic nature of cacti. Examples of the photographic artistry found within these glossy pages range from close-up snapshots of cactus flowers and large photographs of intriguing oddities. It will be difficult for cacti enthusiasts to wean themselves from this prodigious book, which weighs almost ten pounds.
The appendices, glossary and indexes are superb. The eight-page double-column international bibliography is comprehensive, spanning over two centuries of research on cacti (the earliest citation is dated 1760 and the latest references are from 2001). This is truly a state-of-the-art source. This splendid work stands alone and at the top of its genre.
Book Description
The purpose of this book is to help you enjoy and care for your plants, whether you are growing them for their flowers or just to delight in their bizarre forms.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Book.......2007-06-10
This is a beautiful book with great pictures and illustrations. Much eduacational information regarding plant anatomy, cultivation, natural habitat, and display. Great selection of species with pictures and detailed specific information.
Very useable.......2007-05-23
I have found this book useful. It's got good, practical tips and has been helpful to me.
Book Description
Succulents are among the most popular and fascinating plants — with their extraordinary variety of forms, they can be found in the wilderness and cultivated in homes and gardens. A time-tested reference, this first volume includes some of the best-known and most cultivated genera such as Agave, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, and Yucca.
Customer Reviews:
Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary.......2005-09-13
Beautiful, colorful and descriptive photgraphs with text of a very inclusive group of succulents and family. Excellent help when used to identify succulents in my garden and help to decide which new succulents to purchase.
Good Book for Identification Purposes.......2005-08-09
This books is essentially a photographic encyclopaedia of succulent plants and while it covers an great number of genera and species it would be impossible to cover them all in one volume, hence a second one has been published.
It is excellent for finding that name of that plant you have had in your collection for a long time and have never been able to put a name to. The book gives the genus, species and habitat of the plant. Also some indication of the size the plant may attain and also flower colour.
Of its type it is as good as anything on the market and if you can afford both volumes covers most of the plants available to collectors.
Good beginning........2004-07-08
"Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary", is the original work of these two partner authors. This concise original offers hundreds of succulents, beautiful and strange, in scientific names. The photographs are as beautiful as "Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary", but more close up. However, for this guide to be complete, the sequel also needs to be bought along with the original. "Succulents 2" is almost identical to the original in photo and binding quality, which are fine. However, you may as well be purchasing half a book if you only buy one of the series. Both are needed for completion.
The content is rich, featuring different succulent families, such as the poisonous "Euphorbia" genus. (I am still waiting to purchase the sequel to find more interesting families.) When you have these, there is not a chance that you will misidentify differing species.
A must have book for all Succulent Enthusiasts.......2002-07-24
This is a very well written and illustrated book that covers almost all major groups of succulent plants. The photos are really nice and the book has been a great use for plant identification. The author's have also taken the time to explain very basic knowledge of succulent care, not assuming that the readers are advanced botanists.
No cultivation information.......2002-06-16
I am a beginner with succulent plants and rock gardening. This is a very pretty book with information & photos for identifying plants. I find the pictures a bit small (about 2"x3.25"). For me, differentiating some of the Sempervivum species (or Jovibarba) would be difficult with the description and photos provided (someone more expert may find the descriptions quite sufficient).
I really NEED more information on habitat and cultivation. For me, sun exposure, soil & water requirements, pest problems and such are what I want right now. Also of interest, how variation in sun exposure and water will effect color & habit, cold and heat tolerance, winter protection. Once again, for a more experienced gardener, or someone wanting to move into more exotic succulents (I am working with Sedum, and "hens & chicks" (common name)) this may rate five stars.
I did learn that what I know as "hens & chicks" could be Sempervivum, Jovibarba, or Graptopetalum. This is an example of why it would be nice to have a common name cross reference, as mentioned by another reviewer.
Initially, I thought I would return the book, but have decided to keep it. I have learned about some species that I would like to grow, if I can get information on their culture & habit. This reference will allow me to get new species to experiment with. (This may mean special orders, as local nurseries have limited supplies of common plants.) So far, the Crassulaceae family is where my interest lies - See, I have learned something of value!
Book Description
This dictionary concentrates on the globular cacti, particularly Mammillaria, but includes some popular columnar cactus forms such as Echinocereus.
Customer Reviews:
Informative and helpful.......2007-05-23
I have really enjoyed looking at all the different plants in this book. It has helped me identify plants I already owned as well as add to my wish list of exotic plants I want to add to my collection.
Necessary for the New Collector.......2007-01-31
People that have an extensive collection of cacti reference material either don't need this book or, likely, already have it! I use this book in conjuction with other reference books to help me identify the many different species. I would recommend it to anyone.
CACTI: THE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY.......2005-09-25
SUPERB COMPACT REVIEW OF A VERY BROAD SPECTRUM OF CACTI TO HELP ANY SERIOUS AFFICIONADO OF THESE CRITTERS. ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED, GOOD PICTURES OF EACH BASIC GROUP WITH CLEAR CONCISE DESCRIPTIONS. I WOULD SAY THIS IS A MUST IN THE LIBRARY OF ANY CACTUS LOVER.
in a few words.......2005-08-25
Very beautiful book, with as much colorfull pictures as you wish. The title should be "dictionary of globular cacti", because only such species are presented.
Family Album, but who is missing.......2004-10-28
It is very difficult to find fault in a book that is so comprehensive in what it sets out to achieve, and I have no wish to do so. However I would like to point out to potential purchasers, if your interest lies in columnar cacti (Cereus, Cleistocactus, Pilosocereus, I know I could go on forever), or anthing from the Opuntia genus, you will be disappointed because they are not included in the book. Of course many other species are not included but this would be virtually impossible to achieve. There is a very good selection of species for all of the more popular genera, many in flower, which obviously aids in the identification process. As a plant identifier this book would be very difficult to beat. Plant care is virtually non existent, but this is not what the book is about. Under most photographs you will get details of the distribution of the plant; flower colour; spination and some of the different synonyms the plant may be labelled under. if you have any serious interest in Cacti you need this book.
Book Description
An essential guide to cacti and other succulents, featuring 420 color photos and a wealth of information on the plants and their cultivation. Beautifully illustrated and highly accessible, this guide is both an instructive practical manual and a rich source of reference. More than 250 different species or genera and their natural habitats are profiled and illustrated. Topics include: the unique nature of succulents; their natural environment; history, classification, and nomenclature; watering, feeding, general care, and propagation; and pests and diseases. Lavishly illustrated, this is an indispensable guide for growers and enthusiasts.
Graham Charles is a National Cactus and Succulent Society judge and lecturer.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful Book.......2007-06-10
Great pictures. A lot of educational information regarding cultivation, display, pests & diseases, plant distinctions etc. A large selection of recommended species with detailed information about each.
Book Description
These exotic natives of the Americas are among the most striking of drought-tolerant plants, and they make wonderful accents in the landscape, providing excellent contrasts to flowering perennial plantings. They can also be massed effectively, and many of the species are small, ideal for use in containers.
The authors point out that innovative nurseries and gardeners in cool, humid regions of North America and Europe have shown that many of these plants may be suitable for areas with climates very different from their native range. Full information on cultivation and propagation is provided.
Customer Reviews:
Agaves & Yucca Bible.......2007-05-22
This was also a Mother's Day present, so yet again my review is based on the impressions of another trusted source.
*************
HUGE amount of information - for the enthusiast of all levels
Excellent pictures
Comprehensive
Great price
Good Binding
Good size
*************
Fantastic Book.......2005-12-18
This is the book to have if you are interested in growing agaves, and yuccas particularly if you have an interest in growing them as landscape plants and want to know how hardy a particular species is likely to be. It has rapidly become the Bible for growers of these plants.
Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide.......2005-09-19
A complete description, history, guide and care to this plant group. Not a coffee table book for sure but very informative for the serious gardener.
Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants : A Gardener's Guide.......2000-06-13
This book fills a real gap in information for gardeners interested in agaves, yuccas, and similar plants, such as hesperaloes. I haven't found any other book that lists so many species of these plants AND has photographs of each. The text has extensive information for both identifying and growing these plants, whereas many books on plants will emphasize one aspect or the other. In other words, this book would be useful for botanists as well as gardeners and horticulturalists.
There is also some useful information on the cold hardiness and adaptability of these plants to wetter climates. Some experimental gardeners on the east coast of the U.S. may find the minimum temperature limits listed for some plants to be a little conservative. However, the horticultural information on growing these plants, more than makes up for that.
All around, this is a very good book and would be of interest to anyone interested in growing or identifying agaves, yuccas, and similar plants.
Terrific resource.......2000-06-12
I am the librarian at the Desert Botanical Garden and this book has been a tremendous addition to our collection. I have only had it for two weeks and have already used it several times to answer reference questions. The photos are wonderful and the index is extensive. What sets this book apart from all the rest, however, is the clear and succinct format used to describe each plant. Each reference includes the botanical name, synonyms, common names, descriptions of the size, leaves, blooms, distribution, propagation, cultural requirements, similar or related species, and uses. Mary and Gary Irish have created an invaluable resource for anyone interested in agaves, yuccas and related plants.
Average customer rating:
- Ultimate? Not Quite
- Kill Your Lawn - Part 1
- Good reference for many hard to find and unique succulents.
|
The Ultimate Book of Cacti and Succulents
Miles Anderson
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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| By Plant
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Similar Items:
-
Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
ASIN: 1859674607 |
Book Description
With their incredibly hardy and low maintenance nature and their distinctly beautiful characteristics, it's no surprise that succulents are favorites among many people. With over 1,000 full-color photographs, this comprehensive volume details the botany and classification of cacti and succulents, and examines their diversity. Included in this informative resource are designs for growing succulent plants indoors and out with tips and ides for hanging baskets, patios and terraces, garden settings, and container cultivation. The photographic plant directory provides a definitive reference section for over 400 varieties of cacti and their care. The cultivation section provides guidance on all aspects of buying, planting and maintaining cacti and succulents and techniques for planting, propagation, grafting and maintenance.
Customer Reviews:
Ultimate? Not Quite.......2004-10-28
To give this book the title "Ultimate" is stretching the point a little. The subject of cacti is far too vast for any book on the subject to call itself ultimate. OK they had to call it something.
On the serious side the book is excellently produced, well layed out and informative. The author knows his subject and presents it in an enjoyable and easily readable format. For those cactophiles who like their photographs, the ones in this book are hard to beat. The genera that are described in the book are described in some depth (not one species from each genus, a style I personally hate). There are symbols to tell you whether the plants are suitable for outdoors, greenhouse or windowsill. Each description of a species gives the natural habitat for the plant, average size the plant may attain and flower colour.
The Cacti and Succulents have separate sections (good idea), and there are chapters on grafting (excellent photographs); pests and diseases; seed sowing and soil mixtures etc.
Because the book covers both Cacti and Succulents, only the more popular species are catered for, but there are many specialist books on single genera for those who need them. After all a book is similar to a dog, a friend for life, and you can't have too many of those.
This book contains all the information any hobbyist would need to grow cacti successfully and to keep them looking healthy for many years to come. It's in my collection.
P.S. This book has appeared under several titles, so check before you buy, you may find you already own it.
Kill Your Lawn - Part 1.......2001-08-01
For many years my students heard me say that when I bought my own house, I would kill my lawn and plant a cactus garden. Three years ago, I bought my very own California bungalow here in Whittier and began to convert the front yard into a cactus garden. One of the most helpful references in the process has been The Ultimate Book Of Cacti And Succulents by Miles Anderson. This book is not an encyclopedia nor is it meant to be. This book is a comprehensive introduction to cacti and succulents. It covers subjects such as planting and care and it also covers a selection of representative plants. The style of the book is similar to all the great books put out by DK. The garden is still a work in progress, but if you saw it you'd know how much this great book has helped.
Good reference for many hard to find and unique succulents........1999-02-24
A very succinct listing of many common and some rare cacti and succulents. The best thing about this book is the vibrant and beautiful pictures that accompany the sometimes sparse text. The author gives a good general background on cacti and succulent origins, makeup, and care. One of the better books that I have come across in this genre.
Book Description
Succulents, with their striking forms, unusual colors, and easy-care reputation, are becoming an increasingly important design element in many contemporary gardens. Whether planted en masse, used as specimens in the garden, or featured in containers, they have much to offer landscapers and home gardeners. Succulents for the Contemporary Garden is a book for beginners, enthusiasts, and connoisseurs alike, presenting old favorites along with an enticing range of less-common, more collectable examples of these intriguing plants. Descriptions and cultivation information for hundreds of species and cultivars in more than 60 genera, from Adenia to Yucca, will help gardeners choose plants that are best suited to their design requirements and garden conditions.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty but not a good reference book.......2003-03-24
This book is an extensive collection of nice pictures of over 350 different succulents. They are arranged in scientific name order. However the descriptions for each entry are just text describing the plant. There is not even basic information like the hardiness zone so you will know if the one you like will survive your winter. The text does not directly reference the picture location so you have to find the picture key somewhere on each page ("This page, left to right ..."). The index is really just a table of contents - common names are listed under the scientific name instead of having a separate entry ("Purple Emperor" is indexed as "Sedum, Purple Emperor"). Get this for the pictures then get The American Horticultural Society "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants" for the reference data.
Book Description
Classic on peyote an psychoactive cacti growing. Describes obtaining seeds, growing, cloning and grafting, and extracting maximum output of mescaline and other alkaloids. Includes Peyote, San Pedro, Donana and other cacti. Discusses legal aspects with appendix from attorney Richard Glen Boire. List of Suppliers.
Customer Reviews:
Better to buy Anderson's Book.......2006-05-18
I recently bought this book after purchasing a few Lophophora specimens, and was somewhat dissappointed. Much of the information is sparse or inaccurate, and overall you come away having learned little. It is vague in describing the effects and chemistry of the plant, and minimal effort is made to try and describe different species and varieties.
A much better book to buy would be "Peyote: The Divine Cactus", by Edward F. Anderson. It gives a detailed ethnographic history of peyote, describing the modern ceremonies of the Navajo, Plains, Huichol, and many other Indian Tribes. He studies its effects on humans in detail, its chemistry, legal aspects of peyote, and (most importantly!) the botany of Peyote, giving a comprehensive view of the species as well as its different taxonomic varieties (eg. L. williamsi, L. diffusa, L. jourdania, L. fricii, L. decipiens, etc.). Much of the information contained within cannot be found on the internet.
Although most of Gottlieb's material is dealt with in Anderson's book, nevertheless the practical information on grafting and mescaline extration is much more detailed in Gottlieb's (probably because of the different target audiences :-)
All in all, still good to have as an accompaniment.
Not so impressed.......2005-10-11
This book is ok, if you want to learn about native use and things like that. It has good descriptions of lots of rare entheogenic cacti. If all you want to know how to do, is cultivate Lophophora and Tichocerous, the internet has better information.
PeYoTe.......2000-03-31
This book provides good information layed out in an easy to read format on the cultivation, consumption, legality, and history of peyote and other similar cacti. It also gives a breakdown of the alkaloids in peyote and gives detailed methods for mescaline extraction (you know...for resaerch purposes). It also includes pictures and descriptions of other cacti containing alkaloids similar to peyote. The only shortcoming I find in this book is the lack of any research reports on the harmful effects of peyote, but that could be because there has been very little research done on it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in peyote for any purpose.
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