The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes Hardcover – April 15, 2007

Great photos and text. Worth the money.

This is an awesome book. I own another of Rick Darke's grass books, the Timber Press pocket guide, which is also excellent as an overall reference. This one, though, goes in to a depth I didn't know I needed until I saw it! I find I am reading every page, after having skimmed every beautiful photo. I particularly admire the wisdom behind the design theory (see the chapter on design)--a true artist's understanding of color, form and line. Why use grasses in a garden design? And how to do so? The topic is eloquently covered. So well in fact that I have had a bit of a paradigm shift.In addition to Darke's exquisite artistic sense, his horticultural, encyclopedic knowledge of all these plants is very appreciated. I can trust what he tells me. The only thing missing (and missing from almost all--dare I say ALL--ornamental grasses books) is the width size for grasses listed. One needs to try to extrapolate a probable width from the height which IS given for every plant. Granted this piece of info must be hard for authors as there may be two or even three width sizes for grasses--the basal clump in spring, the foliage fully expanded in summer, and tip-to-tip spread IN BLOOM in fall, for example. And there is the question of time as well: e.g. a 3-year size vs. a 10-year size. Still, a gardener needs to know these things: what sort of space to give a grass for its best look to be achieved.The above is a small point for an overall excellent book. It covers ornamental grasses from every angle, from a man very experienced in the genre.

this is the most complete encyclopedia of ornamental grasses that I've found to date. Most grasses are pictured. All have valuable care instructions.

Very information about the scientific parts of the grasses. I was hoping for something more geared to landscape design usage.

Great book great reference for my gardens

This book on ornamental and native grasses by Mr Darke is fabulous. Having species listed in alphabetical order along with color photographs is extremely helpful when I am using the book for landscape design projects. I just used the book as a reference on a design for a new residence in Egremont, MA.This book is similar to other favorite books by Michael A Dirr on trees and shrubs, but even more comprehensive in botanical descriptions of grasses.Craig Okerstrom-Lang, RLA, ASLA

Well if you have some questions about different grasses here you are.

Beautifully illustrated book and so specific. I had a hard time getting used to the detail because most books give you just a paragraph on the grass and very little on care, etc.It's everything you want to know about Ornamental Grasses and more. Very, very complete reference source. Maybe be a bit too much for a average gardener, but if you love grasses and gardening -- this is an excellent book.

I very reluctantly had to return this book because the text was unreadable on my Kindle for PC 3. The photos were great and the entire book looks to be brilliant and wide-ranging but no matter what I tried I couldn't read the text - usually my Kindle for PC will let me zoom in on most of my kindle downloads but for some reason not on this one (even using the windows magnifier tool was no help). Real shame as I'm very interested in different grasses and nature in general but I wasn't going to learn much from something I can't read. I've still given it a 5-star because the content looks really good - just wish I could have enjoyed it.

Excellent book for a garden with grasses. You see pictures of the same garden in different seasons, and the effect it will have if you design a garden yourself.Furthermore all the grasses are described, in alphabetical order and how to use them.This is a must have for every beginner, who wants to know more about grasses, and excellent for those who already have a garden with grasses, to learn more.

Expensive ,but will provide you with all the information that you would ever need about grasses

Gave as a gift. It was requested. Lovely book. Well illustrated and packed and delivered on time

An excellent book for the beginner or experienced gardeners alike. Well worth the money.