Product Description
For the enthusiastic amateur or experienced rhododendron grower, this landmark reference provides the keys to the accurate identification of the nearly 300 rhododendron species widely in cultivation. An extensive introduction places the work in context as it examines the history of Rhododendron classification and gives a full survey of plant structures throughout the many species. Species are listed in systematic order, so that similar species occur close to each other in the text. These are fully described, including complete citations of previous references and notes on the occurrence of wild-origin specimens in cultivation. Beautiful photographs include close-up shots of flower and leaf, microscope images of leaf surfaces, and easy-to-use diagnostic keys, making this the indisputable volume for plant identification. A milestone in the identification of rhododendrons, this will become an essential reference for botanists, nurserymen, and enthusiasts. ... Read more

Product Description
This new edition of Success with Rhododendrons and Azaleas offers in one handy volume all the information gardeners need to grow these delightful plants. Reiley advises on selecting the best Rhododendron cultivars for any site based on cold hardiness and heat tolerance and shares modern methods for transplanting containerized plants. The text has been fully updated for this revised edition, and presents the latest cutting-edge research. The indispensable "good-doer" lists have been refined, and a new chapter on North American native azaleas added. Reiley has included more than 100 color photographs illustrating these lavishly blooming shrubs. This improved version of an already popular reference is an invaluable tool for azalea and rhododendron fans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Text, Weak Photography
The text of this book is great for the rhody enthusiast and gardener.Very readable and informative.It is probably below that necessary for rhody breeders.Mr. Reiley should hire a professional photographer or locate photographs that are at the level of his writing.Only the rare author is able to take his/her own photographs.I can't believe that Timber Press actually printed some of the photos.

Excellent information
This is an great book on growing rhododendrons/etc overall.It has far more and better information on how to propogate (cuttings, layering, seeds, etc) than most other books, and the lists of "good-doers" are an excellent guide to someone starting out.Many Rhododendron books are to a large degree picture books - listing hybrids with pretty pictures.This book concentrates on the culturing, diseases, planting, propogation, hardiness, soil, how acidity affects nutrients, etc.

The strongest recommendation for me: My father, who's a 30+ year rhododendron and azalea collector, looked at the 12 or so books I'd picked up last year after getting bitten with the rhodie bug last year, and said this one was the one book he'd like to get a copy of for Christmas.

Tricks of the trade by an American Rododendron grower
Reiley is without doubt an eminent and successfull Rododendron grower. His whole approach to to subject shows that he knows what he is speaking about from life experience; he doesn't repeat without comment the commonplaces tobe found in so many gardening manuals and he has the ability to presentdata in a context which is easy to understand. However, this book is ratherfor a professional gardener who wants to set up his own nursery forRhododendra and Azaleas. This does not have to be a weakness of this book;Reiley presents his chapters about growing requirements, selection ofvarieties, use in the landscape, propagation, nursery growing andhybridisation in a very convincing but scientific way and view. Hisauditory seems to be preeminently US-American.For the USA he gives goodoverviews about the growth conditions in many states and recommends goodvarieties there. Readers from other countries will feel sorry that they getmuch less here. Thanks to its thoroughly research and convincingconclusions every reader will understand more about these plants and willtake useful new information out of this book, but for the professionalgrower or landscaper -especially in the US- this could become the bible forhis job! ... Read more

Product Description
Over 400 species and varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas are described and classified by size, colour, flowering season and ease of growing in this book, with chapters covering companion planting and landscaping. New cultivation techniques and the problem of pets and diseases are also discussed. ... Read more

Product Description
The latest information on these garden favorites.* How to plant, water, feed, prune, and propagate these popular shrubs* Up-to-date solutions for the most common pest and disease problems* Descriptions of more than 400 of the best and newest azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons* 160 photographs ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

its ortho, its great
I really miss these Ortho books.They are factual, easy to understand and very helpful.Especially compared to "modern day" books which have a lot of extraeous information and references to commercial ventures[possibly sponsors of theirs.) ... Read more

Product Description
Sonja Nelson, editor of the Journal American Rhododendron Society, offers practical and inspiring guidance on how best to use rhododendrons, starting with a brief explanation of basic design principles that serve as guidelines for creating many different kinds of gardens. She discusses woodland and alpine rock gardens, small gardens, and elements such as island beds, containers, hedges, and water features in which rhododendrons can be effectively used. In addition to suggesting and encouraging the use of suitable companion plants, she provides 19 tables listing species and cultivars most appropriate for specific garden situations. Including many inspiring photographs, the book will enable any gardener or landscaper to display these spectacular plants in harmonious surroundings.Amazon.com Review
There are a great number of books listing rhododendrons, identifying them, and enumerating their virtues. Such books are useful for rhody fanciers who want to learn more about their favorite plants, but do little to help gardeners with what they really need to know: how to choose the best rhododendrons and how to use them in the garden.

Sonja Nelson concentrates her considerable experience on explaining which of the many kinds of rhododendrons are the most garden-worthy and how to incorporate them into your garden's design. Color photos show rhodies growing in different conditions, along with a variety of other plantings. Rhododendrons are pictured growing lushly and flowering profusely in gardens in such diverse locales as Los Angeles, Scotland, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. They work well mixed into a perennial border, thriving in a pot (the large-leafed Rhododendrons sinogrande), and consorting with a Japanese maple, as in the spectacular combination of lacy foliage found in R. macrosepalum "Linearifolium" and Acer palmatum "Dissectum."

The most useful chapter in the book may be the one on companion plantings for rhododendrons. Finding suitable plants to layer with rhodies can be difficult, as they need plenty of water and have a number of surface roots that don't like competition or disturbance. Nelson sees rhododendrons as versatile plants useful as hedging, pruned up as trees, or layered into borders with a wide variety of shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers, including hydrangeas, Oregon grape, bleeding heart, coral bells, and maidenhair ferns.

The old, sterile gardening style--with an expanse of lawn, barked beds, and lined-up shrubs--is over. Nelson provides the gardener with the information he or she needs to make rhododendrons part of the newer, more naturalistic garden filled with a variety of plantings. She also makes a compelling case for rhododendrons' place in mixed borders and convinces the reader that these plants deserve to steal the show. --Valerie Easton ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the journals maintained at Greer Gardens, this pedigree book of some 5000 hybrids is organized by grex so that hybrids of the same parents are listed together, with cross-references from the hybrid name. The photographs are all different from those in the first edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An encyclopedic guide to Rhododendron Hybrids
This book is a lexicon for all Rododendron hybrids, listing about 5000 different varieties and gives their pedigree, as far as known, amended by a short description. The appendix has almost 600 good photos.Forrhododendron addicts it may be the essential work if you want to producenew varieties or if you need to identify a hybrid.However, there is noinformation at all about Rhododendra in general and their cultivation. Thisbook is a reference for scholars, not a useful guide for a rhododendrophilehobby gardener. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A very worthwhile starter book for azaleas and camellias.
Thanks to this book, I have been able to grow many azaleas and some camellias, and they grow better than most others here. This book showed me the correct way to prune azaleas and when to do it. Because of this method, my azaleas filled out to large mounds that look like big drifts of color when they bloom. I had never grown azaleas or camellias before reading this book. I highly recommend it as a starter book for this subject. As mentioned in an earlier review, coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer and a good addition to a compost bin.

good intro guide
I like this book as an intro to rhodie, etc.It has some good growing tips and good info about pests/disease.I do wish it showed a photo of each variety, instead of selected varieties.I also wish it talked about free/inexpensive fertalizer (coffee grounds) and the like.It's a great starter book on the subject of rhodies. ... Read more

Product Description
This highly illustrated guide is an introduction to the exciting possibilities of growing vireya rhododendrons. It includes fascinating information on the discovery and cultivation history of these relative newcomers. Interesting accounts of how vireyas grow in the wild provide valuable clues to their requirements in cultivation. Practical advice is given on growing vireyas successfully in mild climates and in containers, caring for and maintaining healthy, attractive plants; propagation; pests and diseases. Suggestions are given for using vireyas in warm climate landscapes, including lists of species and hybrids with notable attributes and a discussion of suitable companion plants. A descriptive list of species and many of the numerous hybrids in cultivation throughout the world will help readers choose suitable plants. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A little jewel
This small book is a jewel. It is so beautifully produced, the colour photographs are simply stunning. The text is easily readable and highly informative, and the newcomer to the Vireya world will find all the basics. The breathtaking colour cover just shows you what is waiting for you!... ... Read more

Product Description
Explaining how to propagate, grow and maintain rhododendrons, this book combines theoretical knowledge and practical experience. ... Read more

Product Description
This beautiful work by two great Dutch plantsmen presents the largest selection of color photographs of elepidote rhododendron species, varieties, hybrids, and cultivars ever gathered in one volume, a lavish tribute to the most spectacular of flowering shrubs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent publication for anyone first trying Azaleas
If you have decided to try Azaleas in the garden, on the patio, or in the greenhouse, this book can show you how to start. If you live in a 'doubtful' area,such as Northern climes,it discusses where might be anappropriate place; it even discusses Azaleas in planters.so that you canmove them when severe frost threatens. It is ecouraging to learn that manyAzaleas can be transplanted easily - even when in full bloom! ... Read more

Product Description
1957 W.L.&L Collingridge. Hardcover, 92 pages. There is a rhododendron for almost every garden and every situation. Among the great number of species and hybrids in this immense family, there are many dwarfs, suitable even for the rock garden, many others of intermediate height, and yet others which eventually reach tree-like proportions and heights of fifty feet or more. .... ... Read more

Product Description
The art of cultivating Rhododendrons is explained in this book, using clear step-by-step illustrations and photographs to encourage confidence and create impressive focal points for the garden. ... Read more

Product Description
This convenient guide describes the best species and hybrids for various garden uses and desired blooming times in moderate climates. It includes 100 species, 200 hybrids, and both deciduous and evergreen azaleas that can form the core of an interesting collection.Published at $24.95 Our last copies available at $12.49 ... Read more