Color Encyclopedia Of Ornamental Grasses: Sedges, Rushes, Restios, Cat-Tails and Selected Bamboos [Hardcover]

Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, and draws from the experience and creativity of great gardens and gardeners around the world. It begins with an exploration of the unique aesthetics and appeal of ornamental grasses before moving on to a review of the families of grasses and a survey of grasses in their native habitats. Gardeners usually speak of "ornamental grasses" in the broad sense, including not only the true grasses but also related families of grass-like plants. Following this tradition, the book provides a detailed treatment of perennial grasses, rushes, and cattails, as well as selected bamboos. Written by horticulturist Rick Darke, this encyclopedia will be invaluable to nursery professionals, landscapers, and home gardeners.

This well-written title by one of the world's authorities on ornamental grasses provides details on the biology of grasses as well as their use in garden design. The plant profiles section includes data on native habitat, physical features, culture, and cultivars.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

An authoritative and inspiring guide to landscaping with grasses...Darkes clear and accessible text offers instructions and ideas for both home gardeners and landscape professionals. The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is an essential acquisition and core title for all personal, professional, and academic horticultural library reference book collections. -- The Bookwatch, June 1999

If any one horticulturist has realised the potential of grasses it is Rick Darke, the former curator of the spectacular Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, USA. This encyclopedia is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work on ornamental grasses to date.(Mark Griffiths, The Garden (Royal Horticultural Soc.), January 2000) -- (Mark Griffiths)

Invaluable to professional landscape designers as well as serious home gardeners. -- Country Living Gardener, September/October 1999

Mr. Darke's book reflects many years of experience with the plants he writes about. The past decade has been marked by great interest in ornamental grass and grasslike plants. The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses does an excellent job of both accounting for this interest and furthering it in those who are as yet unsmitten. The encyclopedic part of this book is a great success, first because it is truly encyclopedic, devoting some 170 pages to grasses both common and rare...But the plant-by-plant catalog doesn't get underway until Darke has devoted six chapters of a more general nature to his topic. He is obviously passionate about these plants, and his enthusiasm is infectious. -- Allen Lacy, Homeground, Spring 1999

Rich color photographs and evocative prose effectively illustrate Darkes understanding of grasses and their uses... The extensive individual grass entries are outstanding. -- The American Gardener, March/April 1999

The most thorough investigation to date into the plants that have changed the look of American gardens. ...every one of Darke's photographs is a thoughtfully composed work of art - whether it be a picture of a plant, a savanna habitat, or an exquisite private garden. Another singular aspect of the book is that Darke adds horticultural advice gleaned from his personal experience to the botanical descriptions. -- Ken Druse, House Beautiful, May 1999

This beautifully illustrated book combines the best features of an encyclopedic reference with sound practical advice on how to use grasses in the landscapes. -- 2000 AHS Award Books, The American Gardener, May/June 2000

This hybrid of serious reference and stop in your tracks photographs will turn your mowers into growers. -- National Gardening, November 1999

This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. Rick Darke has been studying and photographing grasses in gardens and native landscapes around the world for more than 20 years, and this book includes the best 500 photographs from his collection of nearly 15,000. At its heart is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos, with many plants illustrated in more than one season. Intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, this book is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners.

Darkes years of experience growing and photographing grasses have culminated in a book that is artistic enough for the coffee table but that will more likely be found on the kitchen table among nursery catalogs and garden plans.

Rick Darke is a landscape design consultant, author, and photographer based in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Longwood Gardens staff for 20 years. He received the Scientific Award of the American Horticultural Society in 1998, which honors individuals who have enriched horticulture through outstanding and notable research. He earlier wrote and illustrated Ornamental Grasses for Your Garden, and served as consulting editor for the Royal Horticultural Societys Manual of Grasses.