The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides)

The work of reference for the days before plant ID apps. It still sits on my bookcase and still comes out whenever someone says 'what is this?' or if I am looking for a particular plant. Not incredibly up to date today perhaps but a great starting point.

A good resource for the gardener, but much too bulky for use in the garden or field. Quite an exhaustive directory.

Standard RHS Encyclopedia presentation.

Preface about how plants are named and their origins, followed by short section on creating a garden.

Plant selector begins main part of book giving lists of plants suitable for differing soil types, sites and uses.

Main part of book is A-Z of trees, shrubs, roses, climbers, perennials, annuals/biennials, rock plants, bulbs, water plants, cacti and succulents.

Plants presented gouped by colour, along with basic info on requirements (sun/shade, hardiness, water requirements) and a thumbnail photo, lots of cultivars included in photos.

Further details on cultivation and varieities are given in text section whcih forms second half of book.