The Timber Press Encyclopedia of Flowering Shrubs

Flowering shrubs, such as the iconic hydrangea and the treasured azalea, are a cornerstone in every garden, and professional designers and experienced gardeners grapple with which to choose when planting. Jim Gardiner makes this decision easier with his rigorous plant selection in The Timber Press Encyclopedia of Flowering Shrubs. While most of the plants thrive without much extra care, there are some more demanding choices will reward the experienced gardener. The introductory section provides valuable horticultural advice on how to give the plants the best possible start and ongoing care so that they flourish in the longer term. This highly illustrated guide features over 1700 plants in more than 345 genera organized alphabetically by botanical name and readily accessed using the common name index. Gardiner has chosen the best flowering shrubs for gardeners, from the Abelia, Buddleja and Camellia to the Xanthoceras, Yucca and Zanthoxylum. Essential horticultural notes accompany each entry and include expected height and spread after 10 years, season of flowering, preferred position, and soil and pruning requirements.