Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs
An Illustrated Encyclopediaa book by Michael A. DirrThis bestselling encyclopedia, illustrated with brilliant photographs,
describes the best woody plants adapted to cooler climates, showing
both habit and details of more than 500 species, and including some 700
additional cultivars and varieties. Brief cultural information is
supplied for each plant, as well as Dirr’s perceptive comments and
opinions.
This book won both Choice Magazine’s Outstanding Academic Book Award
and the Garden Writers Association of America’s Quill & Trowel Award
Media reviews of this book:
“Will unquestionably become one of the most beautiful and significant books in the gardener’s library.”
—Diana George Chapin, Bangor Daily News, December 18, 2004
“Certainly the encyclopedia is an excellent photo essay, but it is more.”
—Hilda Morrill, HortResources, April 2003
“Michael Dirr is the acknowledged authority on American trees and shrubs. His book... is a valuable reference.”
—Garden Design, Sept/Oct 2003
“With scientific text accompanied by excellent photographs, Dirr provides the fundamentals for landscaping.”
—Honey Sharp Lippmann, Berkshire Homestyle, January 2003
“For a basic and comprehensive reference book on shrubs and trees... there is none other than Michael A. Dirr ’s Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs.”
—Honey Sharp Lippman
Publishing details:
Hardcover, 494 pages, 8-½" x 11", 1656 color photos
©1997, Timber Press, ISBN 0-88192-404-0
An excerpt from this book:
I hope the book provides a measure of inspiration for the plants and
incites the readers to search them out for their gardens and
landscapes.
Aesculus parviflora, Bottlebrush Buckeye
Truly one of the best native shrubs for late-spring and early-summer
flower. This broad-mounded, suckering shrub can colonize a large piece
of real estate. The wonderful coarse-textured, dark green leaves are
composed of five to seven 3- to 8-in.-long leaflets that turn rich
butter-yellow in fall. The 8- to 12-in.-long, bottle-brush-shaped
inflorescences contain hundreds of white, four-petaled flowers with
pinkish white stamens that stand out an inch from the petals. The
inflorescences occur at the ends of the branches and are held upright.
Interestingly, this species flowers almost as prolifically in shade as
in sun. Smooth, 1- to 3-in.-long, pear-shaped, light brown capsules
contain one or two shiny, light brown seeds. Bottlebrush Buckeye
requires moist, well-drained soils for best growth, although quality
specimens are found in every conceivable situation. Transplant balled
and burlapped or from a container. Ideal for underplanting in woodlands
or for use in shrub borders and large masses. Grows 8 to 12 ft. high, 8
to 15 ft. wide. Zones 4 to 8...
Calycanthus floridus, Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice
One of the great treasures of eastern North America, especially the
open-grown specimens that develop into large, roundish shrubs and offer
wonderfully fragrant, brown-maroon flowers in April and May. Truly an
old-fashioned heirloom plant that I have found in many old gardens. It
offers a sense of permanence and purpose... Always buy the plant in
flower to insure pleasing fragrance... Zones 4(5) to 9 ...
Parrotia persica, Persian Parrotia
I love this tree: the clean summer foliage; the yellows, oranges,
and reds of autumn; the cream, green, gray, and brown exfoliating bark;
and the small, maroon flowers that glow on a late-winter day. Over the
years, my travels have led me to many parrotias, no two alike...
About Michael Dirr
Michael A. Dirr is a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia. He is the author of eleven books, including Dirr ’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia and the text and reference book, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, and has published more than 300 scientific and popular papers and articles.
Awards for Michael Dirr
- American Horticultural Society ’s Teaching Award
- Arthur Hoyt Scott Garden and Horticultural Award
- ASHS Undergraduate Educator Award
- Medal of Honor from the Garden Clubs of America
- Southern Nurseryman ’s Association (SNA) Slater Wight Memorial Award
Ordering information:Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover) (B-034)
Each $69.95
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