Sean Hogan, etc. Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Timber Press. 20033.

This slip-covered two-volume set contains information on more than 20,000 plants and 1500 pages of plant descriptions and other information. Therefore my review can only describe it in generalities. The first volume begins with a brief introduction to gardening and plant names. It also discusses each of the United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones. Each zone is described as to winter temperatures, general climates, and contains suggestions for gardening in that zone. Photographs and maps; are used to illustrate this section. This is followed by a general description of herbs, grasses, carnivorous and other plant categories.

The bulk of this book is comprised of the plant encyclopedia. Here is a sample of the information provided on each plant, shrub or tree:

Aloe debrana syn Aloe berhana. (Symbols showing sun needed, and size information appear next.)

Native of Ethiopia. Solitary stemless rosette of broad upright, green leaves edged with strong green to brown teeth. Branching inflorescences with yellow orange-red flowers in spring. Zones 9-ll. [Page 134.]

Flora CD

The accompanying CD contains many useful programs for the gardener.

Plant groups (allows you to search for herbs, trees, and other general plant groupings. Then you can ask view some general information on that group.

Plant Chooser: Allows you to indicate your choice of plant group, hardiness zone, plant uses, height, position in the garden, flower color, and flowering time. Simply make your selections and let the program suggest plants for you.

Hardiness Zone Map: Lets you find your hardiness zone.

Plants through the seasons. This is a neat program because you can click on a plant name and see a series of photographs showing how it appears through the year. You can also view genus and species information and some general facts about the plant.

Garden Journal This is a simple to use journal that allows you to input information on plant name, where purchased, date and price of purchase, description, feeding and mulching needs, any special requirements, flowering/fruiting time, general comments and notes on diseases or other problems. This information is stored and accessed by viewing a listing of your plants. Note: This is the easiest garden journal I've found!

Weblinks You can look up a general plant category and see a list of societies dealing with that plant group. This is very handy and can save hours of researching this information via the internet or other methods.

Additional utilities include a glossary, screen saver, spell check program, and tool for searching the plant database.

Recommendation