Rock Garden Plants: A Color Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

A truly inspiring book. National Gardener, October 2002 (National Gardener )

The information is encyclopedic, and the illustrations superb. John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, November 5, 2000 (Newark Star-Ledger )

Beginning or fully-matured rock gardeners can benefit here. More than 1,300 plants are mentioned along with 1,350 color photos. Dale Langford, Rocky Mountain News, October 3, 2000 (Denver Rocky Mountain News )

Baldassare Mineo is owner of Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery in Medford, Oregon, one of the world's great sources of plants for rock gardens. Mineo's own photographs are supplemented with many by the renowned horticulturist Fritz Kummert. This authoritative includes rare and unusual plants as well as proven, readily available garden performers.

It has been said that all passionate gardeners eventually become rock gardeners. For those gardeners with limited space or who run out of room for new plants (and who doesnt?), the rock garden is the ideal solution. Rock garden plantswhether perennials, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, or groundcoversgenerally mature to a height of less than 24 inches (60 cm), and typically have a compact or dwarf habit. The experienced rock gardener can fit hundreds of intriguing plants in an area that would be filled by only a dozen larger perennials. The building and planting of a rock garden allows the gardener to create an interaction of rock, soil, and plant, bringing a natural harmony to the landscape. Despite their reputation for being difficult, choice rock garden plants are easy or demanding in the same proportions as other garden plants.

Baldassare Mineo has been in love with gardening since the tender age of eight. Going on to train as an architect at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo did not diminish that first love. He has been the managing owner of Siskiyou Rare Plant Nusery in Medford, Oregon since 1978 and has helped solidify its standing as the premier alpine and rock gardening nursery in the United States, a reputation that extends abroad. Baldassare makes his home at his nursery and has overseen the development of an extensive display garden complete with ponds, waterfall, and a large rock and crevice garden. He is an active member of the North American Rock Garden Society and many other plant-related organizations, and is well known as a lecturer at horticultural meetings where his slide shows are always in demand. He is also a regular contributor to Horticulture. Beautiful plant photography and splendid botanical illustrations round out his horticultural credentials.