1 stars (Buyer Beware) - We received a rather terse note on returning from our vacation about not emailing a response back. The book was in HORRIBLE shape. His description of the 'worn ' appearance was wishful thinking. He did not email us and tell us that a credit had been issued . I found that out by followup. I can't say the 'near'service we received was very good. 5 stars (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Orna) - Dirr has the final word on all woody plants. You would be hardpressed to find any tree or shrub commonly used (and not so commonly used) today that is not listed in this incredible encyclopedia. I saved my copy from when it was a textbook in my Woody Lanscape Plants class in college, and have since updated to the latest version to use in practice 15 years later. A truly unbeleivable wealth of knowledge. 5 stars (A "Must Have" book for serious horticulturalists) - This manual contains a wealth of information on the identification, cultural requirements, propragation methods, and place of origin for a wide variety of trees and woody shrubs. I keep my copy in my car, take it wherever I go, and refer to it on a regular basis. Yes, it is a thick book. No, it is not without its own quirks. However, I recommend it highly over any other woody manual available. I have only one quibble. I wish Michael Dirr would hurry up and write a similarly in-depth manual on herbaceous plants. ... Stipes Publishing- LLC :: Trees :: Ornamental shrubs :: Ornamental trees :: United States :: Shrubs :: Reference :: Ornamental woody plants :: Landscape plants :: Landscape :: Handbooks :: manuals :: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants- Their Identification- Ornamental Characteristics- Culture- Propaga
5 stars (thorough reference with tons of photos) - In planning my garden I have scoured the web for photos of different shrubs and trees for their habit, in flower, in fall, etc. As I am not a professional, buying the Horticopia photo library is hard for me to rationalize. Buying this DVD was not- Dirr gives lots of practical information on placement, habit, propagation, and disease problems associated with numerous varieties and cultivars of each plant. The range of photos is very useful (though for choosing the right magnolia, for example, I am still desiring a separate book on the many cultivars, and I have had the darndest time trying to locate anywhere a picture of Hamamelis Jelena in its summer leafed-out habit--). While this won't substitute for going to arboretums and nurseries to window-shop in person (and it would be a little sad if it could...), it is the handiest reference I've come across. For the price, I would buy this instead of Dirr's encyclopedia (or in addition to it). I am happy to have both but now refer to the DVD more often. ... Varsity Press Incorporated :: Trees :: Shrubs :: Reference :: Landscape :: Gardening & Horticulture :: Gardening :: Architecture :: Michael A Dirr :: :: Interactive Manual and Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants