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.


From Library Journal
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.


Verlyn Klinkenborg, New York Times, June 6, 1999
This book is a model when it comes to the encyclopedic portraiture of garden plants.


From Book News, Inc.
Comprising more than an update of Darke's fine volume by the same name, with nearly two dozen new plants discussed, this CD-ROM presents 721 high-resolution photographs of grasses, including some 200 not found in the hardcover volume. A particularly valuable feature is a search engine which allows users to search by plant name and by keyword, such as "purple," "clump-forming," or "Zone 5." Includes footnote and bookmark functions, as well as an interactive USDA zone map.Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR


The Bookwatch, June 1999
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.


Ken Druse, House Beautiful, May 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.


Allen Lacy, Homeground, Spring 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.


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


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


(Mark Griffiths)
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)


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


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


Card catalog description
This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. At the heart of the book is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos. Many of the most important plants are illustrated in more than one season. This book 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 is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners who seek to extend their knowledge of these beautiful and useful plants.


From the Publisher
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.


About the Author
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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. At the heart of the book is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos. Many of the most important plants are illustrated in more than one season. This book 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 is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners who seek to extend their knowledge of these beautiful and useful plants.

FROM THE CRITICS

Mark Griffiths - The Gardens (RHS)

This encyclopedia is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work on ornamental grasses to date.

Country Living Gardener

Invaluable to professional landscape designers as well as serious home gardeners.

Patricia Jones - Plants and Gardens News

Overall, Darke has delivered a tour de force to follow his magnum opus The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses.

Library Journal