Product Description
Hydrangeas are among the best-loved flowering shrubs and vines for American gardens. Their long-lasting blooms provide months of color from spring to the autumnal frosts; their adaptability under the extremes of cultivation (from USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10) makes them a sensible choice as well. However, the sheer number of Hydrangea species, hybrids, and cultivars can prove overwhelming even for the most advanced gardeners. How to choose from the hundreds of mopheads, lacecaps, climbers, and oakleafs, to name just a few? Respected plantsman Michael A. Dirr has written the first book to accurately describe the selection, care, and culture of hydrangeas for the length and breadth of North America. With practical "hands-in-the-soil" advice and detailed observation based on years of scientific research, Hydrangeas for American Gardens is an indispensable reference for all gardeners and hydrangea enthusiasts.

Professor Dirr explains in understandable terminology the basic botanical categories of hydrangeas and how they've yielded the colorful hybrids that are treasured today. He enumerates the horticultural assets and liabilities of each type of hydrangea, and offers invaluable advice on which choices are best for which regions of North America --- the optimum choice for Seattle's misty climate might melt like butter in the steamy heat of Atlanta. Professor Dirr even provides a futuristic glimpse of the interesting and unusual species and hybrids --- including reblooming types --- that will be making their way into nurseries in the years ahead. With treatises on propagation, pruning, breeding, drying, design, and pests and diseases, this book will become the classic reference for gardeners in the United States and Canada. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Not for home gardeners
This book is written for professional gardeners. The terminology is not understandable for the average person. Its a shame because it's obvious the author is an expert but instructions for hydrangea care are not in conversational American English. There were terms I even looked up in the dictionary but didn't apply. There must be a private gardening language!

Needs reformatting
While this CD-Rom is pretty good as far as content and info, the format really needs an overhaul. The window overall is too small. Something like 6x6, which makes for smaller images. And there is no way to enlarge any of the images. Also, navigation needs to be more intuitive. It's not very user friendly to go back and forth between fields for information. Praise is given for content, but one would be better off with a book version.

Pretty
This was not what I wanted.These are great pictures but I want to learn more about my hydrangeas not your's or anyone else's.My bad! Very pretty pictures.

Best of Best
I think it's the best book I ever saw on the subject. It will be useful to amateurs and specialists. It is critical, complete, and honest. It is exact, practical, and technical, but with personal notes here and there that I find touching, amusing, and endearing. Did you know that Hydrangea anomala subsp petiolaris'flowers stare at the passerby? Now you know. If you love Hydrangeas do buy this book.

Extremely Informative
This guy knows his posies. Everything I've seen that he has written has been well done and most informative. I'm using his hydrangea book as my bible for beginning to raise these gorgeous things and am finding that he knows varieties, tactics, and possible problems (and solutions)I'd never heard of. ... Read more

Product Description

"Hydrangeas have so many winning attributes, it's hard to imagine an easier group of plants to grow, or any other flowering shrubs capable of providing vibrant color for so long a season"
-from the Introduction

The large number of hydrangea cultivars developed in recent years has done much to increase their popularity across North America. Gardeners in colder regions, who could not grow these brilliant bloomers, now have many choices available. Today there are new super-hardy, dwarf and compact varieties; new colors; and new forms of these satisfying plants.

Glyn Church celebrates these developments in this comprehensive guide. Illustrated with lush color photographs on every page, Complete Hydrangeas features:

• More than 230 recommended clones, cultivars and related plants
• The latest developments in hybridization
• Planting, pruning, pests and propagation
• Choosing the best plant for the location
• Special advice on growing red, pink and blue blooms
• Using hydrangeas in garden design
• Companion plantings
• Growing in containers
• Caring for cut blooms, and enjoying hydrangeas in the home.

The author's advice, guidance and enthusiasm will have readers enjoying these show-stopping blooms in their own gardens.

Customer Reviews (4)

Very Good Reference book on Hydrangeas
Glyn Church is a New Zealand horticulturist; she wrote this gem of a reference and made it easy to read.From the history of where hydrangeas come from to their long-lasting color, she covers a wealth of practical insights that are equally valuable whether you are a home gardener or professional landscaper.There are plenty of colorful and concise pictures.Not all hydrangeas thrive in every zone but by tapping into this great source of written listings you are bound to find something to plant in your area.Besides the many cultivars that are shown Ms. Church gives you information on pests, disease, pruning and propagation.

Further organizations and suppliers are listed in the back of the book and you are not limited to just the United States.Still need some help?Try her other resources that she gives you that are on the internet.There is something for everyone and if you are looking for a starter book on this subject or, like me, you love to collect hydrangeas, take out this useful book.

Complete Hydranges

I find this to be a more interesting and informative book that was able to fill in some informational gaps that I see Ihad missed in other books on this subject. and did it in a easy to read, fun way.
Thanks!

Complete Hydrangeas
This was a very good reference book filled with beautiful photo's.It helped me in making a decision on which hydrangeas I needed to plant in my midwest landscape.

a must
I have about 30 books about hydrangeas and this is a must for every plant lover.by the way from America to Slovenia arrived in 4 days.Buy it. ... Read more

Product Description
Beautifully illustrated with over 130 color photographs, this new, revised edition of the classic text on hydrangeas shows the enormous possibilities offered by the plants, describing 20 new cultivars not in the original edition. The first section provides information on natural history, cultivation, and propagation; the second section describes 100 cultivars, including salient characteristics and even leaf and sepal outlines. The information is highly readable, yet full enough to be used as a guide to identification. It’s easy to see why the book is a classic, and no hydrangea enthusiast will want to be without this new, expanded edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not received yet
Product is taking longer than expected to be delivered to El Salvador, where I lived.. Can't talk about it yet.

Jorge Garza

Hydrangeas
I like this book, but don't love it. I would have liked to have more information on an extended variety of Hydrangeas. However, not knowing the species names maybe I misunderstood. It is useful in how to care for, plant, and choose the right plant. I would recommend it for a Hydrangea lover.

Most comprehensive authority on Hydrangeas
This is the best book on hydrangeas in print today. Only one other (Hydrangeas, by Millet) even comes close. Because this book is so well organized, it is extemely easy to learning all about hydrangeas - their botanical structure, the different species and how they grow. One can immediately see the differences between hydrangeas - how large they will get, how large their blooms will be, what colors they might become, and the shape of the bloom. The illustrations are beautiful and leave one dreaming of a garden full of these beauties.

A valuable reference for hydrangea lovers
This is the most comprehensive source of information on hydrangeas that I have ever seen. There is detailed advice on every aspect of growing hydrangeas, including soil preparation, watering, and the effects of colorin hydrangeas due to soil content. Generous illustrations show thedifferent types of leaves on the various types of hydrangeas. The mostvaluable part of the book is a section devoting a full page to specificvarieties and shows a photo, characteristics in chart format and a detailednarrative description. This book is well worth the price! ... Read more

Product Description
Famed for their durability, beauty, and diversity, hydrangeas are enjoying a renaissance in today’s gardens. These classic garden shrubs provide bold color—from pink to purple, blue to white—in midsummer to midautumn, when few other plants are in bloom. Many hundreds of dramatic species, hybrids, and horticultural selections are available to the enthusiast to fill every possible niche in the garden. For the first time, a thorough encyclopedia shows in full color the range of flowering treasures available. With complete information on cultivation, propagation, and pests and diseases, Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas promises to help every discerning gardener ensure planting success.

Lavishly illustrated with approximately 800 photographs, the concise descriptions present more than 1000 hydrangea species, subspecies, varieties, and cultivars. All types of hydrangeas are included, from blousy mopheads to delicate lacecaps, from oakleafs to climbers. The very latest horticultural and botanical introductions are included as well. Combined with recommendations based on the authors’ experience in their family-run nursery, this incredible resource provides gardeners with the tools needed to discover the many true gems in this lovely group of plants.

A curious quality of hydrangea flowers is their ability to change color with soil conditions—this phenomenon is explained in detail so that the garderner can turn it to his or her advantage. Nonetheless, each photograph was carefully taken in a garden with neutral soil, to give readers an honest picture of the flower color most likely to occur in a particular plant.

With additional information on taxonomy, genetics, and horticultural history, Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas is an indispensable refererence for connoisseurs and beginning gardeners alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive
This Encyclopedia of Hydrangeas is written by father and son team who own and run a 140 year old nursery in the Netherlands, and who have also written books on each of maples, conifers and rhododendron.

The brief opening section discusses the name of the genus Hydrangea, Distribution of the Genus, Hydrangea Collections, the Flower Colour and what causes its change on different soils and dispelling a few myths in the process. Also covered are: Moisture and Hardiness, Pruning, Pests and diseases, Propagation, Hydrangeas in the Garden, Dried Flowers, Leaves for Tea or Medicine, Taxonomy, Synopsis of the Genus Hydrangea and Nomenclature. All of this is covered succinctly in the first 25 pages. The book also includes a section on Genome Size in Hydrangeas, a list of Hydrangea names for which no description could be found, References (bibliography) and indices.

The bulk of this publication however is devoted to the plants, around 220 pages cover over 1,000 species, subspecies, varieties and cultivars. The descriptions are illustrated with around 800 photographs in full colour. The descriptions are brief yet clear, and the corresponding photographs appear on the same page as the descriptions. Arranged loosely by species orgroup such as species Hydrangea, Hortensia (mopheads), lacecaps and more, the vast array of photographs clearly illustrates the diversity within the genus, from some of the more subtle species to the blousy mopheads, as well as the interesting foliage of possessed by Hydrangeas.

This is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the genus Hydrangea, updating some of the information in Haworth-Booth's monograph of 1984, and far more comprehensive than other recent publications.

International hydrangea book a good general resource.
For a large review of hydrangeas, this is a good book.For USA gardeners, it is good to have it and Dr. Micheal Dirr's hydrangea book. ... Read more

Product Description
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering shrubs in the world. With many species native to North America and dozens of hardy hybrids developed over the years, there is an overwhelming range of plants to choose from. Here is practical, expert advice for the American gardener looking to add brilliant color and show-stopping blooms to a garden.

This comprehensive guide covers the early history of hydrangeas, wild species and cultivated forms -- including many North American species and American-bred hybrids -- and lists the most popular varieties. It also includes:
- a section on the widely sought-after, versatile and hardy climbing hydrangeas
- advice on planting, cultivation, and propagation
- how to prune hydrangea
- use in garden design
- how to care for cut blooms for long-lasting beauty
- growing in containers
- affecting bloom color -- from the pinks to the blues
- how to choose the best plant for the site.
- information on rare species for the enthusiast and the daring

With more than 100 stunning, full color photographs and a list of over 125 recommended species and hybrid hydrangeas for various situations and uses, Hydrangeas is a beautiful, comprehensive guide to these favorite flowering shrubs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A great little beauty of a book.
I loved this beautiful book.In addition to gorgeous pictures and practical advice for the home gardener, the author adds some interesting history about hydrangeas.If you love hydrangeas, this is a lovely little book at a great price.

Beautiful Photos.
I bought this book in hardcover. Makes a great coffee table book. It has beautiful full page photos and was very informational about identifying the different types of Hydrangeas. Unfortunately I live in California so cannot get my Hydrangeas to grow, but if I lived in a wetter place Im sure Id love this book more.

Wonderful little book
This is a wonderful and inexpensive book with many beautiful pictures and lots of useful information on hydrangeas.I will reference this book over and over.

You get a lot for your money in this little gem.
This is a terrific little inexpensive book on hydrangeas. It was published in 2001/2002 by a New Zealand horticulturist. The pictures are luscious and most are labeled with specific variety names. However, this is not just a coffee table book. It contains easy to understand, accurate information on growing hydrangeas. The chapter on pruning is excellent and includes a section on pruning tree form hydrangeas. I would highly recommend this book.

good book
Every page has color pictures on it. The bulk of the book describes each variety of hydrangea. There's a little info on planting. ... Read more

Product Description
From the exquisite lacecaps to the blowzy mopheads, "Hydrangeas" celebrates the extravagant beauty of these beloved flowers. 110 full-color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Poetic
If you are looking for real practical advice better buy Glyn Church books or the Gardener's guide. For real deep insight Michael Dirr's book is invaluable. But this book, which is rather useless as a practical guide, has the power of really showing the beauty and poesy of the flowers. The photographs are outstanding and really inspiring, and I think it could be appreciated by beginners and experts alike.

Don't
It's not worth the money.The plants are not correctly identified by botanical name and the information is unreliable.Buy Dr. Dirr's book.

Outstanding photography and printing
A fine tribute to the various members of the Hydrangea famil

Beatiful pictures but short on practical advice
The pictures are beautiful, making this a great 'coffee table' book.But the practical advice on how to care for Hydrangeas is skimpy. ... Read more

Product Description
printed in england. oversized light green hardcover. pictures on each page. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hydrangea species&cultivars
About Cultivars and production Of Hydrangea macrophilia (Hortensia) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Perfect Blank Book
The Hydrangea Journal is the perfect size to carry anywhere, the pages are soft white instead of bright white, the lines are not too far apart and not too close together. The journal handles nicely, and the price is just right. Great for daily journal keeping, writer's notes, or subject journals. Highly recommended.

Journal
nothing much just a good place to pick up inspirations ... Read more

Product Description
A practical gardeners' guide to growing these colourful and popular flowering shrubs. Advice on growing hydrangeas in pots and tubs, pruning, propagation, use in garden design and descriptions of popular varieties are included for the novice and expert gardener alike. ... Read more

Product Description
This special issue features Hydrangeas, Delicious grilling menus, Easy Annuals, Very Berry Treats-cake, pie and other desserts, Lighting ideas for Outdoors and more~! ... Read more

Product Description
One day John said, as he made his bow, "Mamma, are you at leisure now? Tell me, for much I wish to know, Tell me, do pins and needles grow?" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not Categorized Properly
Just an FYI, this kept appearing under my recommendations as a lot of things similar to it are. So I downloaded it and confirmed my suspicion. It as others are a child's poem cleverly (or not so cleverly - depending on how annoyed you might be) hidden in erotica/romance/whatever section you might be browsing at that time. Thought I'd help notify those who hadn't seen this one labeled as such yet. ... Read more

Product Description
Head in hand, I look at the paper leaf;
It is still white.

I look at the ink
Dry on the end of my brush.

My soul sleeps.
Will it ever wake?

I walk a little in the pouring of the sun
And pass my hands over the higher flowers.

There is the soft green forest,
There are the sweet lines of the mountains
Carved with snow, red in the sunlight.

I see the slow march of the clouds,
I hear the crows jeering, and I come back

To sit and look at the paper leaf,
Which is still white
Under my brush.
... Read more