Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr (1990, Paperback)

I simply could not exist without Michael Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. I know it sounds silly, but it's true! This manual is an encyclopedia of tree and shrub knowledge for every planting zone in the United States and Canada. Dirr is meticulous in his notations, expertly describing the breadth of nearly every species of tree and shrub in the country.

Beyond the basics of plant characteristics, Dirr goes further to offer information on the culture and propagation of plant materials. He then continues his discussion with interesting and sometimes snide personal anecdotes and preferences for most of the plants listed.

Perhaps most helpful in Dirr's Manual is his nearly exhaustive listing of plant cultivars and varieties. This information has proved invalueable to me over time. I not only highly recommend Michael Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, I encourage its use to every landscape and horticultural professional. Amateurs in the field of gardening or landscaping would also do well to purchase this book for reference.

I have to say that this book is an ocean of information, being 1007 pages thick. I have just started a Landscape Horticulture certificate course and this is our text book. I would just like to mention that this book is excellent for the person that already has existing education in the horticulture field and the hobbyist alike, but I would like to recommend that beginners find a newer version. (The latest being 1998) I believe. I've compared my copy with new ones and mine lacks a couple hundred pages of updated and new info! Finally, and with all due respect, Michael Dirr is a horticulturist life line.