Rhododendrons and Azaleas - A Colour Guide

This copiously illustrated book is a riot of colour with hundreds of pictures. The origin, descriptions and hardiness of the different species and hybrids are given. It is not a book for average gardeners. This book will be found on the library shelf of many nurseries, garden centres, and head gardeners responsible for collections. In my opinion the term 'guide' is misleading, it is more of a grower's or enthusiast's encyclopaedia and possibly currently one of the best available.The first 30 or so pages are devoted to history and cultural information. The text in this section is mainly close typed with very limited paragraph breaks making it difficult to read. This is a hardbound book, well illustrated but printed in smallish type. The illustrated plant listings are compiled in three columns per page. Due to photography or printing the illustrations of red flowers can sometimes lack distinct detail, in this respect the book suffers slightly but is no worse than many others.Where pictures accompany the listings they are approximately 100mm x 100mm and which can make it difficult to judge the scale of the plant and the flower size unless you are familiar with the species and its hybrids. The author is based in Scotland and many illustrations originate from Glendoick where the family nursery is located.

How many times have you been around the nurseries and Garden Centres and seen the same old azaleas and rhododendrons on offer and succumbed by colour and lack of choice you make a purchase? Stop right there. Get this book. It is absolutely fantastic and takes you on a fabulous, historical and colourful journey into the world or rhodos and azaleas; garden centre stock will never be the same again.Use in conjunction with the Plant Finder to find your nearest stockist, but do take note of the frost hardiness zones! I bought this as an early Christmas present for my Mum, needless to say I shall have to find something else; the copy is now well thumbed as I've been burning the midnight oil, totally enamoured, and I've only had it a few days. It's worth every penny and many congratulations to Kenneth Cox, its' a stunning book. Only trouble is, I've got a shortlist of a 150 rhodos and azaleas and only an acre of garden......

This is a great book. It's divided into two sections; 25 pages are dedicated to the history and cultivation of rhododendrons and azaleas and the following 200 pages form an encyclopaedia of plant species which is excellent in helping you decide what plants are best for your local soil and geography.Only downside that I can see (or not in my case) is the text is very small. No problem if your eye sight is ok but I was left reaching for some glasses. Other than that minor complaint this is an excellent book.

An authoritative and comprehensive guide to choosing and growing Rhododendrons written by one of the leading Rhododendron nurserymen. The book contains many good quality colour images.

An excellent book for anyone with an interest in the care and cultivation of Rhododendrons. There are tips and advice on the correct feeding, and best methods of increasing bloom development. An extensive list of the different types of Rhododendron and Azaleas, with their characteristics. Slightly expensive, but well worth the price.

Hardly a day goes by without me referring to this book. It is well worth the money not only for the beautiful pictures but for the information that you get. I have learned a lot from this book and would highly recommend it. My garden is fast becoming egg shaped after purchasing so many Rhododendrons and Azaleas seeing their photos in the book.

This book is packed with colourful pictures to excite the average gardener or the Rhododendron collector.

As a Christmas present you never really know what to expect but my wife really rates this book. She have a lot of Rhododendrons and some of the labels have come off. This book is helping her identify them again.