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Shrubs: Discover the Perfect Plant for Every Place in Your Garden
A Shrub for Every Situation
Shrubs are the perfect plant—they are low-maintenance, there is a variety for nearly every need, and they are widely available at garden centers and nurseries. In his new book Shrubs , Andy McIndoe—one of the world’s foremost woody plant experts—shares all the information and advice you need to pick the right shrub for every site and condition. Shrubs includes plant suggestions for challenging growing conditions and restricted planting spaces, along with shrubs chosen for their desirable characteristics—like hardiness in shade, difficult soil, and harsh conditions. Plant profiles include complete growing information, color photographs, and recommended companion plants. With this helpful guide in hand, it’s easier than ever to add shrubs to add to your home garden.
Shrubs are the perfect plant—they are low-maintenance, there is a variety for nearly every need, and they are widely available at garden centers and nurseries. In his new book Shrubs , Andy McIndoe—one of the world’s foremost woody plant experts—shares all the information and advice you need to pick the right shrub for every site and condition. Shrubs includes plant suggestions for challenging growing conditions and restricted planting spaces, along with shrubs chosen for their desirable characteristics—like hardiness in shade, difficult soil, and harsh conditions. Plant profiles include complete growing information, color photographs, and recommended companion plants. With this helpful guide in hand, it’s easier than ever to add shrubs to add to your home garden.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published February 5, 2019
11 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 10, 2018
Detailed and helpful information to grow shrubs in various climates and soils. It’s a staple for the beginning and intermediate gardener. It’s illustrated with beautiful photographs and contains excellent companion plant advice, written by a true expert. I know I will be referring to this book often. Happily, it looks great on a cocktail table too.
March 14, 2022
Lovely colored pictures.
August 14, 2018
This is a useful guide for which shrubs to plant in any climate, soil condition, yard/garden size, or specific purpose (showy flowers, pollinator support, etc.). The descriptions, size information and hardiness numbers were really helpful. I liked that each listing had an accompanying photo, but I wish there were also photos of the full shrub - many were just close-ups of a branch, leaf or flower and didn't give a good idea of what the whole thing looked like.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2023
This was a good book to reference if you are looking for ideas on choosing shrubs for specific sites/difficult conditions. Examples: dry shade areas, harsh winters, deer resistant selections. A good pick-up from the library if you’ve got a problem area your stumped on designing.
June 19, 2024
I was worried this book was going to be a little boring. I mean, who wants to read 300 pages about...shrubs. But Shrubs is actually an engaging read throughout. Author Andy McIndoe covers a lot of plants for different growing conditions, and he includes a lot of pics to make it all easy on the eyes.
The book is divided into four sections. Section 1 talks about optimal growing conditions and care for shrubs. Section 2 offers plant suggestions for challenging growing conditions (e.g., clay soil, acid soil, hot and dry environments, or harsh winters, etc.). Section 3 gives shrub choices for small spaces (e.g., pots and containers, small gardens, narrow beds and borders, slopes, etc.). Section 4 talks about shrubs with desirable characteristics (i.e., shrubs you would plant for drama, fast growth, long blooming life, fragrance, etc.).
Every plant in the book is presented with its name, identifying picture, expected size, and growing zone, and is accompanied by a blurb that talks about the color of the shrub, preferred growing conditions, and general growing advice. There is also a page at the end of each section that gives "other good [plants in this category]." Plant names are listed, but no pictures or further info is given.
Overall, I really loved reading Shrubs. The book flows well and makes sense. The pictures are beautiful and help break up the text. Most important, it has given me SO MANY good planting ideas. I will definitely be referencing this one come spring.
Thanks to Timber Press and Net Galley for the ARC!
See more of my reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
The book is divided into four sections. Section 1 talks about optimal growing conditions and care for shrubs. Section 2 offers plant suggestions for challenging growing conditions (e.g., clay soil, acid soil, hot and dry environments, or harsh winters, etc.). Section 3 gives shrub choices for small spaces (e.g., pots and containers, small gardens, narrow beds and borders, slopes, etc.). Section 4 talks about shrubs with desirable characteristics (i.e., shrubs you would plant for drama, fast growth, long blooming life, fragrance, etc.).
Every plant in the book is presented with its name, identifying picture, expected size, and growing zone, and is accompanied by a blurb that talks about the color of the shrub, preferred growing conditions, and general growing advice. There is also a page at the end of each section that gives "other good [plants in this category]." Plant names are listed, but no pictures or further info is given.
Overall, I really loved reading Shrubs. The book flows well and makes sense. The pictures are beautiful and help break up the text. Most important, it has given me SO MANY good planting ideas. I will definitely be referencing this one come spring.
Thanks to Timber Press and Net Galley for the ARC!
See more of my reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!
February 18, 2019
This will be a great guide for many gardeners. It wasn't particularly helpful for me, as I try to plant shrubs that are more unusual, native and edible. The shrubs featured are very traditional ones, with traditional BH&G types of gardens pictured.
Pictures are provided of each variety of shrub featured. However, it would be helpful to have pictures of what the shrubs looked like from a distance to get an idea of their size and structure, since the close-up photos don't give you that kind of feel for how they'd fit into your landscape.
All together, this will be helpful for new homeowners and gardeners not very familiar with landscape shrubs. Those of us who are more inclined towards permaculture and edible landscaping might be better suited with another book.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
Pictures are provided of each variety of shrub featured. However, it would be helpful to have pictures of what the shrubs looked like from a distance to get an idea of their size and structure, since the close-up photos don't give you that kind of feel for how they'd fit into your landscape.
All together, this will be helpful for new homeowners and gardeners not very familiar with landscape shrubs. Those of us who are more inclined towards permaculture and edible landscaping might be better suited with another book.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
August 27, 2018
This is a gorgeous and informational two to three hour read. It can be enjoyed in several sittings to plan out your landscaping, or as reference book for looking up unknown shrubs around your property.
Andy McIndoe does an excellent job describing plants from a multitude of growing zones. I'm a US zone four gardener, but with the help of this book, I was able to learn all about plants hundreds of miles away in tropical zones such as zones eight and nine. I appreciate how thorough McIndoe is about soil conditions, foliage, flowers, and even companion plantings. Clearly the importance of a reference book such as this outlasts the limits of the internet to identify garden shrubs.
While reading this book, I identifited a plant that I've struggled to categorize for four years. There is a plant at my parent's garden whose flowers look like a foxglove, but the foliage is far too slim. However, I learned that the the penstemons (or beard tongue plant) is what they actually have. I'll admit it was awesome to figure that out with the help of this book!
Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF of this book to read and review.
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
#Shrubs #TimberPress
Andy McIndoe does an excellent job describing plants from a multitude of growing zones. I'm a US zone four gardener, but with the help of this book, I was able to learn all about plants hundreds of miles away in tropical zones such as zones eight and nine. I appreciate how thorough McIndoe is about soil conditions, foliage, flowers, and even companion plantings. Clearly the importance of a reference book such as this outlasts the limits of the internet to identify garden shrubs.
While reading this book, I identifited a plant that I've struggled to categorize for four years. There is a plant at my parent's garden whose flowers look like a foxglove, but the foliage is far too slim. However, I learned that the the penstemons (or beard tongue plant) is what they actually have. I'll admit it was awesome to figure that out with the help of this book!
Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF of this book to read and review.
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
#Shrubs #TimberPress
September 4, 2018
Excellent reference book for landscape design. The author identifies appropriate choices for a variety of challenges including soil types, weather conditions, sun/shade, small and container gardens, as well as shrubs offering a range of desired characteristics. Plants to attract birds and pollinators or to repel wildlife (deer, rabbits) are also highlighted. Excellent photography throughout. Care instructions are included for each shrub as well as suggested companion plants for every category. Highly recommended for public and horticulture libraries, as well as for home gardeners and hobbyists.
Note: This is a pre-pub review of copy supplied by NetGalley.
Note: This is a pre-pub review of copy supplied by NetGalley.
October 30, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I want to plant some shrubs for privacy and decoration and know nothing about them (& not much about plants and flowers either), so I was looking for guidance. This book contains a lot of great information and advice. It was almost too much for someone like me that comes to the book knowing nothing. I was a little overwhelmed at times, so I bookmarked and took some notes to revisit later. Beautiful pictures in here as well. Really made me start imagining what our landscaping could look like. Hoping to pick out some shrubs and actually know what I’m doing now!
March 9, 2019
A fantastic, informative, and well organized guide for any level gardener.
July 4, 2021
Lots of beautiful photos and great ideas in this gardening book. I can almost smell the fragrant booms. This book delivers plenty of useable ideas and inspiration.
August 30, 2018
Not being a master gardener, this book was a helpful reference as I debated various bushes and shrubs for my own yard. I was able to go straight to the section that covered my growing conditions and peruse the bushes that would work well for me. Each section includes plants that will work well with these bushes/shrubs as well. The extremely useful information along with beautiful photos make this book a winner for the beginner to intermediate gardener!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this highly informative book! All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this highly informative book! All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.
October 23, 2018
With over 300 pages of information about shrubs, this is a substantial and informative book.
Firstly, we read about choosing and caring for shrubs, then the book is divided into 3 main areas and then sub-divided into sections within : Shrubs for Challenging Growing Conditions, Shrubs for Restricted Planting Space and Shrubs with Desirable Characteristic.
The information is well explained, with fabulous large pictures and each is labelled with its Latin name. The plants are not types that would hard to source and the conditions and growing attributes are explained.
I think this is a great book for a beginner garden as well as one who is experienced as there is a lot of information that is useful and relevant to all gardeners.
Firstly, we read about choosing and caring for shrubs, then the book is divided into 3 main areas and then sub-divided into sections within : Shrubs for Challenging Growing Conditions, Shrubs for Restricted Planting Space and Shrubs with Desirable Characteristic.
The information is well explained, with fabulous large pictures and each is labelled with its Latin name. The plants are not types that would hard to source and the conditions and growing attributes are explained.
I think this is a great book for a beginner garden as well as one who is experienced as there is a lot of information that is useful and relevant to all gardeners.
October 25, 2018
Shrubs by Andy McIndoe
The cover image and title grabbed my attention from the start. I don't know why shrubs never seem to be an exciting part of the garden. This book made me look at them in a whole new way. The introduction had excellent descriptions of zones and the factors affecting them including wind, slopes, and walls. As a long-time gardener, some of this was new information to me. The photography in the book is beautiful and each section is very detailed.
The plant recommendations included many common shrubs, but there were also some unusual choices as well. My favorite shrub is the Philadelphus Belle Etoile and it was actually mentioned in the book. (It is a mock orange with the most delightful odor I have ever experienced.)
A couple of detractors that I noticed were the recommendations of English Ivy and Butterfly Bushes (both invasive plants in my zone), the Solanium Crispum - nightshade had poisonous berries, but no warning was mentioned (a friend of mine lost some chickens to these berries), and occasionally a reference to a plant in a photo with many plants making it hard to determine the one being discussed.
Overall this was an excellent book that I will be purchasing to add to my garden book collection.
I received this ARC ebook from NetGalley and Timber Press and Workman Publishing for an unbiased review.
The cover image and title grabbed my attention from the start. I don't know why shrubs never seem to be an exciting part of the garden. This book made me look at them in a whole new way. The introduction had excellent descriptions of zones and the factors affecting them including wind, slopes, and walls. As a long-time gardener, some of this was new information to me. The photography in the book is beautiful and each section is very detailed.
The plant recommendations included many common shrubs, but there were also some unusual choices as well. My favorite shrub is the Philadelphus Belle Etoile and it was actually mentioned in the book. (It is a mock orange with the most delightful odor I have ever experienced.)
A couple of detractors that I noticed were the recommendations of English Ivy and Butterfly Bushes (both invasive plants in my zone), the Solanium Crispum - nightshade had poisonous berries, but no warning was mentioned (a friend of mine lost some chickens to these berries), and occasionally a reference to a plant in a photo with many plants making it hard to determine the one being discussed.
Overall this was an excellent book that I will be purchasing to add to my garden book collection.
I received this ARC ebook from NetGalley and Timber Press and Workman Publishing for an unbiased review.
November 6, 2018
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Great book. It provides detailed info on shrub placement throughout a variety of climates and garden locations. I thought it might be a little long-winded, who wants to read 300 pages about shrubs (spoiler alert. I totally do), but it keeps the reader interested. A useful resource for future gardening projects. Plus it has great pictures and cover. Would Work for a coffee table book. Definite recommend.
Great book. It provides detailed info on shrub placement throughout a variety of climates and garden locations. I thought it might be a little long-winded, who wants to read 300 pages about shrubs (spoiler alert. I totally do), but it keeps the reader interested. A useful resource for future gardening projects. Plus it has great pictures and cover. Would Work for a coffee table book. Definite recommend.
January 21, 2019
Shrubs: Discover the Perfect Plant for Every Place in Your Garden by Andy McIndoe is currently scheduled for release on February 5 2019. This book gives home gardeners the information and advice to help them pick the right shrub for their yard. Shrubs can be the perfect plant; typically low-maintenance, with a variety for nearly every need, and widely available at garden centers and nurseries. This handy guide might make it easier than ever for gardeners to decide which shrubs to add to their space. The book includes shrubs challenging growing conditions, shrubs for restricted planting spaces, and shrubs chosen for their desirable characteristics, including hardiness in shade, difficult soil, and harsh conditions. Plant profiles include complete growing information, color photographs, and recommended companion plants.
Shrubs is a book I should have read years ago. I have areas of my property where I have had a terrible time keeping things thriving or even alive. Thanks to this resource I have a plan to revitalize the border near the street, and the shady area near my magnolia tree. The book is divided by the deciding factors of the area readers are looking to plant in. Each area type, such as shady and damp or drought prone, has description of each recommended shrub and some companion plants that readers might want to consider. The photographs and descriptions were very helpful, as were the details about potential size and hints to give your shrubs the best chance to thrive. I am still undecided as to what I want to plant in my trouble spots, but I have plenty of viable options now.
Shrubs is a well organized and valuable resource for gardeners and homeowners looking to use shrubs in their landscaping. I would recommend libraries and those that work in landscaping or garden related jobs pick it up, but the rest of us should borrow it from our local library as needed.
Shrubs is a book I should have read years ago. I have areas of my property where I have had a terrible time keeping things thriving or even alive. Thanks to this resource I have a plan to revitalize the border near the street, and the shady area near my magnolia tree. The book is divided by the deciding factors of the area readers are looking to plant in. Each area type, such as shady and damp or drought prone, has description of each recommended shrub and some companion plants that readers might want to consider. The photographs and descriptions were very helpful, as were the details about potential size and hints to give your shrubs the best chance to thrive. I am still undecided as to what I want to plant in my trouble spots, but I have plenty of viable options now.
Shrubs is a well organized and valuable resource for gardeners and homeowners looking to use shrubs in their landscaping. I would recommend libraries and those that work in landscaping or garden related jobs pick it up, but the rest of us should borrow it from our local library as needed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews