5 comments about Manual of Woody Landscape Plants : Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses.

1. I bought this book "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" together with "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs" some years ago. One of the best purchases I ever made. They really go together like hand and glove. If you see something in "Dirr's Hardy Trees ans Shrubs" and you want more specifications just keep the "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" at hand and you'll find what you are looking for.
   Recently I ordered them once again to give away as a present.



2. This is the textbook for my landscape design class. Not only is it thorough, but Dirr has some humorous insights into plant culture. Plants are listed in the back with botanical as well as common names for easy reference. I wish there were photos of the plants, but some black and white illustrations of leaves and buds are included. Overall, this is my primary reference for identifying and learning about woody shrubs and trees.



3. Hands down this is the best reference guide for anyone involved in the green industry. Don't expect flashy pictures and illustrations, only hand drawn samples here. Dr. Dirr is a master and this book contains insight and witty remarks on thousands of species.



4. I have found Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" to be a valued addition to his more regional reference "Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates" and Neil Sperry's "Texas Gardening." Although the detail and readability of the text gives ample research information for most landscape planning, it is refreshing to have included avenues for seeking additional materials that are not included. Although the lack of color prints and the newsprint paper quality is less appealing than his other books, the 1187 pages would make a very heavy resource book almost unusable. A great book to have and enjoy.



5. Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants is an invaluable resource for any serious gardener. I have used earlier editions for many years and have given copies of the latest edition to my children.

2 comments about The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg.

1. Very helpful book which reproduces a number of the gardens in CW and govrs a schematic as well as the names, both common and scientific/biological?. The pictures are gorgeous. If you want to achieve the look of a colonial style garden, this is for you.



2. The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg is a most inspiring and beautiful book covering the four seasons in Colonial Williamsburg. This book covers not only the history of twenty gardens in the historic district, but who these eighteenth century garders were. The archaeological research provides a detailed look at each of the gardens, giving layout plans and detailed list of all the plants used. With the addition of beautiful color photography, this book will provide all gardeners with a source to re-create a eighteenth century garden.

5 comments about Best Plants for New Mexico Gardens and Landscapes: Keyed to Cities and Regions in New Mexico and Adjacent Areas.

1. I feel like i wasted my money on this book. it has not helped me pick plants for where i live and i plan to sell in a garage sale!



2. This is by far the most thoroughly researched and thought out book on landscaping and gardens/plants of any book for any region I have found. What is great is that it is for us and not for Texas or Arizona or Colorado. These states have plenty of mention in other publications...The author even took to the time to research what grows in each town first hand, not by just looking at a USGA map for plant hardiness. I have recommendeded this book to many people interested in landscaping here in New Mexico and I guard mine like it was gold. Don't lend it out, you may not get it back.



3. I bought this book primarily for the plant listing, and am disappointed. After looking through it, I reviewed the title of the book and realized that it is not actually billed as a xeriscaping guide. There are some xeric selections, but lot of these plants grow great in New Mexico only if you water them like crazy. Some of them shouldn't be planted here at all, such as silver maple (browning at the edges of the leaves by the end of July, not just in my yard, but elsewhere in my neighborhood too), and salt cedar (a significant environmental hazard even within the Albuquerque metro area).
   I liked the first part of this book the best - the general overview of gardening in New Mexico is informative and easy to read. The final section of the book, city-by-city plant guides, is just not very useful to me since I only garden in Albuquerque.



4. Xeriscape doesn't mean ugly. This book will help you find plants that are pretty and that won't take up a lot of water. IT's a great book.

   This is our reference book for when we are adding something to our yard. We have a full acre that we are working on (slowly!) and this book has helped us every step of the way.

   The color pictures make it easy to see exactly what a plant looks like. The color pictures also help when you are trying to find the name of the tree in some yard that you thought was pretty. The information it has on each plant is very useful- it gives you the area it will grow best in (example: Albuquerque or statewide in the shade or statewide up to 800 feet elevation). The other thing that makes this book a good buy is the plant list for different areas. For example, there is a plant list for Gallup/Grants area. These lists give you trees, grasses, shrubs, flowers and more that will grow well in your area.

   This is the best resource out there if you live in New Mexico and want to have a lovely landscaped area.




5. Keeping plants alive in New Mexico is very difficult. If you're thinking of buying this book you already know this. If you do buy it you'll find out how to solve all of your yard and garden problems. This book tells you everything you need to know to successfully surround your home with attractive plants instead of the tiresome and difficult to maintain bluegrass lawn or gravel pit one sees so often in New Mexico.

   Most importantly, the book lists plants suitable for every inhabited part of New Mexico. If you've learned to garden in Gallup but want to know what to plant in Deming or Santa Fe, this book is for you.

   The plant lists and photographs make this book an essential money and water saving gardening tool for the New Mexico gardener. Buy it for yourself and give a copy to to your new neighbors!

5 comments about Boundaries.

1. This book accomplishes for me what Maya Lin set out to do - it provides a well of knowledge that I keep coming back to. I have shared her philosophy with friends and family providing a direct and intimate dialogue with her work.
   I first came across 'Boundaries' while doing research on public controversy and sculpture. I felt that I was listening to Lin's voice and began to understand why she depicted the works as she did. I was drawn to the simplicity of her designs that left space for human participation. When the book had to be returned to the library I had to have a copy for myself to continue my understanding of her works.
   The aesthetic set-out of the book draws the viewer into the designs with more understanding. It is not just a coffee table book, but one that encourages one to rethink and revalue ideas.



2. After days of a dry spell, in trying to figure out a design problem; I started to flip through this fabulous book. Maya Lin's Boundaries; is a book that is food for the soul of an architect. Ironically, the title of the book is Boundaries, but the whole essence and poetic journey allows for one to see the world with out "Boundaries".
   
   Traveling through each project, Lin is able to take us from her thought process through a complete execution on each project. She is so delicate in describing each event, from growing up, the Vietnam memorial, to her goals in the future. The reader can travel with her, through each process, struggle, and creating architecture that is able to resonate within it's setting.
   
   Thinking with her hands, Lin describes each event, each challenge, and solution, allowing for the the reader to gain an inside, touching the souls of what every architect and designer needs.



3. Maya Lin's "Boundaries" is both creative and stimulating.
   
   This book is not an autobiography and it is not an art book, but rather an extension of Lin's work. Many know Lin for creating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and like the memorial "Boundaries" provides a medium-both public and private-to observe and interpret what we sometimes don't even consider.
   
   If you like photography, architecture, or simply wish to know more about an idea behind one of Lin's works then this book is for you. I love the format. It is easy to read and the pictures are of high quality. The pages are numbered from 1:00 to 12:00 and each chapter starts with a new hour. "Boundaries" is refreshing- it's truly unique and inspiring.



4. There are two ways to read this book, as Lin points out in the preface. First is just as a coffee table picture book. In that role, "Boundaries" gives a photographic tour of many varied monuments and installations. Lin is best known for the Vietnam Veteran's memorial. At the time, it was an unprecendented look and a deep controversy. Since then, I think it has become what Lin had hoped: one of the most personally involving war memorials ever. Lin has moved on since then, and this book shows many of her more recent works.

   Although her family heritage is Chinese, Lin identifies herself as American. That gives her the freedom to use concepts from many Asian traditions. Many of her later works show a sense that I see as Zen-like. They are centered on stone, water, earth, and light. Like that first memorial, they invite the viewer to touch and become involved in the work. "Waves", for example, is a large-scale earthwork to be explored, offering surprising privacy in an open, sunlit lawn.

   The second reading of this book comes from its text. It explains Lin's approach to her work. I was quite surprised to fined out how important collaboration is for her. Most of her installations are undertaken with archtitects, writers, or preparators of various kinds, quite opposite the 'lonely artist' stereotype. I was also surprised to learn that her first conception of most pieces is narrative, not pictorial. To me, translating word into image and structure is a complete mystery. My own thoughts work in the other direction. That difference intrigues me.

   The book itself is a pleasant artifact. It's well printed, well organized, and displays some thoughtful, unusual typography. It's a vehicle well suited to the material it carries.

   "Boundaries" was printed in 2000. That means that the catalog of Lin's work has developed since then. More of her work surely exists that was locked out by the publication date. I look forward to the next book documenting her work, and I look forward to her future development as an artist.




5. Sometimes I felt really sad that I don't have enough money to bring this book home.Maya lin should be an architect who can be also known as a good writter.Her writting had combined both beauty architecturally and verbally,like a stream of purity norished readers'heart,explained her designs with pleasure of sights.She got similar passion as her famous aunt lin huiyin,composed a melody of life,mastered the way a human being might uneasy to see.I am appreciated her way of representation.That she inheritaged from Lin's family.She absolutely knew that poetics in their family traditions,a symbol of very special abilities.

5 comments about Florida, My Eden (Stresau Landscape Design Series).

1. This is a good book to start with if you've just moved to Florida and need to understand the landscape. It's well illustrated and laid out logically, but you'll find yourself looking for plants and trees you've seen in Florida that just are not in this book.



2. Although this book seems to have some good information in it, the multitude of grammar- and spelling-related errors made it difficult for me to trust the other information disseminated by it. A stronger editorial effort would have helped quite a bit.

   I feel like the book is extremely vague with regard to the provenance of each species - an increasingly important issue in the state of Florida. The book would also be so much more useful to most Florida gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape architects if the author would have made more of an effort to more clearly delineate those species that are native to the state and those that are exotic (and invasive, if applicable).

   With that said, the book remains a fairly good reference, especially for beginners. Nice color photographs and a seasoned landscape architect's opinions/observations about how to use each plant in Florida landscapes.




3. Great book covering a broad range of palms, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, etc. Includes photographs on each plant covered, along with cultural info. like how much cold they can handle, where they come from, ultimate size, best way to use in the landscape, and leaf, fruit, & flower descriptions. I use this regularly when trying to decide what to put where, in the landscape.



4. Great book for the southern parts of Florida. It was hightly recommended by our Plant Nursery. Fairly good pictures but great discriptions of plants, trees, shurbs etc.



5. As a newcomer to Florida I knew nothing about local horticulture. This book was a tremendous aid in my education. It gives straightforward information about many plants, trees and shrubs including growth habits, size, best locations and culture. The book is well organized and the info is easy to access.

5 comments about Theme Gardens: Revised Edition.

1. For those who want step by step instruction in laying out a particular kind of garden...this book can be most helpful. Various types of gardens are included & plant lists are provided ...some history on each particular garden is also added in some cases.
   
   Writer's style is very approachable & easy to understand...no high & lofty botanical terms to look up in the dictionary.
   
   Author carefully explains various aspects of developing the projects in some cases such as how to build raised beds, prepare soil & building a trellis etc. These additions are there to supplement the ideas put forward by the author in a very effective manner.
   
   I recommend this book on the premise of it's intended purpose...to help people looking to establish a few particular kinds of gardens & suggested layouts. With respect to it's purpose the objective has been met.



2. My 1982 edition of "Theme Gardens" is well-worn, dirt-spattered, and much loved. When I saw a revised edition, I was thrilled, hoping it would illustrate another dozen or so themes. Unfortunately, very little has changed from the first edition; most of the changes I found were in the photos while the text is almost the same, as are all the theme gardens themselves. If Ms. Damrosch writes another book that shows us new themes, I'll buy it, but until then my trusty book from '82 is just fine.
   
   Suggestions for themes:
   A Songbird Garden
   An Elizabethan Herb Garden
   A Reader's Garden
   A Dyer's Garden
   A Red, White, and Blue Garden
   A Biblical Garden



3. Don't waste your time or money. What she wrote in the First Theme Gardens is enough. If you can't find the first one then this is a good book, but as a REVISED and UPDATED Edition the changes were very subtle.



4. This book has become my dear companion over the past 12 years. The plans are beautiful and they have worked well for me, but the general information, and capsules on specific plants CONTINUE to teach me. Each plan is shown in three views, for color and growth covering spring, summer, and fall. As I contemplate my new Cape Cod location, and my mother's shady retreat in Ohio, I draw out my own plans this way now. My husband bought me Theme Gardens in 1988, and it has helped me grow from a complete novice in California to a skilled amateur in New Jersey, especially with perennials. I planted the Secret Garden, and every spring I think, that Barbara Damrosch really made this great! I am buying a copy for my mother, a hesitant gardener, and together we will plant another.



5. If you just want it done for you this is the book. Garden plans, seasonal views, and good lists of plants. You could make a lot of mistakes in designing your own 1st garden, but this takes a lot of the guess work out of your gardening.

   Start with this book as a jump start, in the following years you'll get the hang of it. Good basically for zone 4-9, plus/minus 1.

2 comments about Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual.

1. This is a great book that I use all the time in my design work. It's organized really well making it very easy to use. Like Gang Chen mentioned in his review, you can't just copy and apply each detail as is, you have to adapt it to your specific climate and design program. That said, the details are a great starting point. I recommend this book to not only landscape architects working in large LA firms, but also to the residential designers who incorporate a lot of detailing in their plans.



2. Detailing is difficult for young design professionals. College education does not cover enough detail design, the only ways to learn how to develop details are: 1) learn through working experience in design offices; 2) teach yourself by reading good books.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" can alleviate this problem. When they wrote this book, Nicholas T. Dines, FASLA was a professor and director for the graduate MLA program at the University of Massachusetts, and already had 32 years of professional experience. Kyle Brown was an assistant professor of Landscape Architecture at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and held a Bachelor and a Master degree in Landscape Architecture and was a Ph. D candidate in regional planning.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" covers athletic surfaces (natural and artificial turf, athletic paving), curbs (asphalt, brick, wood, stone and concrete curbs), drainage inlets (catch basins, area drains, trench drains), drainage swales (concrete, stone and vegetated swales), lighting (accent, pedestrian and vehicular lighting), paving (aggregate, asphalt, brick, concrete, stone, wood and synthetic paving, reinforce turf), paving dividers (brick, concrete and stone paving dividers), paving edges, paving joints, pedestrian ramps, planting, ponds, retaining structures, seatwalls, steps, and walls. There is also a useful detail index at the end.
   
   The details in this book are useful, but you still have to adapt them per your specific project condition. For example, some of the paving details call for "reinforcement as required." If you just copy and use these details, I guarantee you'll get change orders for your job. You should adapt these details per the soils report and tenant or developer criteria of your job and / or consult your structural engineer to actually specify what kind of reinforcement you are using for these details in your job.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" has 416 pages and 350 common site details. It is a good Site Construction reference book for architects, landscape architects and engineers. Like any other books, it'll not cover every situation for your job. As a design professional, you should still review and adapt these details for your job.

1 comments about Sports Fields: A Manual for Design Construction and Maintenance.

1. As a lawn care business owner we are always looking for new learning opportunities. There is so much info on field maint. This is a great book. I think it was well worth the price.

3 comments about Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.

1. This is my 4th or 5th purchase of this wonderful book. I have given all my copies away and need another for myself. It has great resources on the plants birds, insects and animals use for food, cover, etc. We made our voilet green swallow nest boxes from the plans in the book. We've watched new swallows peek out and take their first flight every year since we put them up.
   
   We live in the foothills of Mt. Hood and it took me a few months after moving here to realize I shouldn't bring the invasive plants I used in town to the mountains. And I realized I could have turned my city home into a wildlife haven. The book is a great resources for all city, suburb or rural locales in the PNW.
   
   It's just a wonderful book!



2. We live in Southern California so I was a bit dubious how useful this book would be. Happily, it still has much to offer for anyone wishing to wildscape. There's plenty of general advice re. food/water/nesting sites etc. and good plans for bird houses and bat houses. There's a nice chapter on attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, and plenty about creating and maintaining water features (a huge attraction for wildlife in hot areas like ours).

   You will need to cross reference the plant lists against what's native for your area, and find your own local native plant nurseries, but there's still lots of great advice here for wildlife gardeners that can be adapted to almost any region.

   Trish




3. Link, Russell, Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1999, 320p.

   Soft cover, perfect binding, acid free paper, 8.5 X 11.

   The book is divided into 5 parts 1) Wildlife Habitat Design and Maintenance 2) Pacific Northwest Wildlife in the Landscape 3) Special Features for Wildlife Landscapes 4) Coexisting with Wildlife 5) Appendices

   Volume has good index , bibliographic references and is clearly printed.

   Over one third of the book is in the Appendices, they are excellent, perhaps its best `part'.

   A) Pacific Northwest Habitats B) Wildlife Plants Lists, Tables, and Maps C) Landscape and Wildlife Information for Specific Plants D) Construction Plans for Nest Boxes and Bird Feeders E) Resources (in my opinion, very important)

   Content:

   Well written, educationally enhanced by wonderful illustrations, good examples and step-by-step procedures. Quality, abet small, section of color photos of wildlife identification and descriptions. Includes description of habitat construction from apartment balcony to acreage. Also discusses ponds, dust paths, nest boxes and nest structures, feeders with detailed tables, brush piles, snags, hedgerows, bird watching, problems with wildlife and responsible pet ownership.

   Book can be read as text or used as a reference resource. The publication is a must for any land steward or wildlife enthusiast. An excellent purchase as a gift for yourself or fellow enthusiast. Available in bookstores or if you order from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife you receive a copy autographed by Russell.

1 comments about Building Suburbia: Green Fields and Urban Growth, 1820-2000.

1. Building Suburbia is a capable synthesis of historical and recent scholarship on the development of the suburbs in America. Hayden, a professor of architecture and urbanism and professor of American Studies at Yale, knows what she is talking about. It was clear to me that this book is written for a general, rather then specialized audience.

   Hayden's writting style is easy to understand, and she provides multiple in text illustrations and photographs to illuminate the text. The book tracks the historical development of suburbs in time (the subtitle is "Green Fields and Urban Growth 1820-2000.) She starts with "Borderlands", then covers "Picturesque Enclaves", "Streetcar Buildouts", "Mail-Order and Self-Built Suburbs", "Sitcom Subrurbs", "Edge Nodes" and "Rural Fringes". This historical approach is book ended by an introduction with two chapters and a conclusion with two chapters.

   Hayden includes excellent end notes and a selected bibliography that is worthwhile to have on your shelf. Since this book was written in 2003, the bibliography is chock full of RECENT books on urban studies that allow the student or casual reader to follow up in any number of directions.

   Worth checking out.