   Illustrated Arizona Plant Books - November 17, 2004 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County I often mention and describe plants in terms of size, leaf shape, flower color, and other features. I can see these plants in my mind’s eye but this doesn’t help the reader to visualize the plants I describe. This week’s column includes some of my favorite plant books that include pictures and/or drawings of the plants they describe. Many of these books are available at our public libraries and all of them would be excellent additions for your personal library. Sunset Western Garden Book by Kathleen Norris Brenzel (2001, 768 pages) is the gardener’s best friend and focuses on cultivated landscape plants. It is the definitive information source about common and unique plant varieties sold in western nurseries. There are some color plates, but mostly line drawings of plants. It also includes excellent descriptions of climate zones and special sections on low water use, deer resistant, shade-loving, and wildlife attracting plants. The list price is $32.95 (paperback ISBN: 0376038756) and $34.95 (hardcover ISBN: 0376038500). Plants of Arizona by Anne Orth Epple (1997, 350 pages) is an excellent overview of Arizona’s native plants, contains color plates, general descriptions, and locations for each plant mentioned. It has the most common trees, shrubs, cacti, and some herbaceous plants. A great book for native plant enthusiasts. It is a paperback and the list price is $24.95 (ISBN: 1560445637). A Field Guide to Southwestern and Texas Wildflowers by Theodore F. Niehaus (Peterson Field Guide Series, 31, 1998, 463 pages) is the best wildflower guide available for our area. Like other Peterson Guides, it has some color plates, but has excellent line drawings that display distinguishing botanical characteristics. If you enjoy native wildflowers, this book belongs in your collection. It is a paperback and the list price is $21.00 (ISBN: 0395936128). Native Plants for High Elevation Western Gardens by Janice Busco, Nancy Morin, and Gene Balzer (2003, 356 pages) features descriptions and photos of 150 plants suitable for planting in north central Arizona. The book was developed at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, focuses on perennial grasses and forbs (broadleaf plants/herbs), and contains excellent information on cultivation of each. It is a paperback and the list price is $29.95 (ISBN: 1555914756). Weeds of the West by Tom Whitson (2002, 630 pages) is the definitive guide for identification of weeds. It includes over 900 color photos of about 300 weed species showing each in various stages of growth for positive identification. While this book is available from many sources, the least expensive is the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension (where it is printed) for $24.50 including shipping (ISBN: 0941570134). Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener's Guide by Mary and Gary Irish (2000, 312 pages) is an excellent book for gardeners (and even botanists) interested in these plants. Each is listed by botanical name, synonyms, common names, descriptions of the size, leaves, blooms, distribution, propagation, cultural requirements, similar or related species, and uses. It is published in hardcover for $34.95 (ISBN: 0881924423). I am not aware of many other books that focus on central Arizona plants with useful illustrations. The ones listed above provide a starting place and I’m sure that readers have other favorites. The Internet also has a wealth of resources and photos. Internet search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Altavista allow the user to search for images only. This is an easy way to find pictures of plants. Still, nothing beats having a great book that can be thumbed through and notes added in the margins. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest management. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |