Re: Unparalleled reference book...

I thought I'd share a reference book with all of you that I believe to be the 
finest I've seen yet on perennial plants (plus it contains herbs, grasses, 
bulbs, ferns).  It's written by Dr. Steven M. Still, who's affiliated with 
the Dept. of Horticulture at Ohio State University, and the title is "Manual 
of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants". It's published by:

Stipes Publishing L.L.C.
202-204 West University Avenue
Post Office Box 526
Champaign, IL 61824-0526

The copyright is 1980, 1982, 1988 and 1994, with apparently more updates to 
follow.

I'll quote the first three paragraphs from the preface as it sums up this 785 
page tome well, and it's available in either cloth cover or paperback (which 
is the one  I purchased and paid $38 plus shipping):

"This text provides information about common and uncommon annuals, biennials, 
perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, herbs, and hardy ferns that are 
adapted to 
most climates of the United States and Canada. The fourth edition is larger 
than the previous edition and I expect that a future edition will be even 
larger. The learning process of a plantsman is a life-long endeavor and I 
will continue to discover new plants in my travels.

The idea for this text started developing when I was a student in herbaceous 
plants course at the University of Illinois. At that time, I realized that 
there was no one text
that included identification characteristics and the ornamental and cultural 
features
necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the subject. This idea was 
further reinforced when I became an instructor of herbaceous plants at Kansas 
State University. I found it impossible to recommend any one book for student 
use because each had its advantages and disadvantages. This text provides the 
student, the professional, and the home gardener with illustrations and 
concise treatment of plant information.

I have had an opportunity to travel extensively in the United States, Canada, 
Europe, and Great Britain. Information gained in these travels has been 
incorporated in this 
expanded fourth edition. There are over 120 new plant descriptions and now a 
total of 384 color photos. Wildflowers and herbs are two examples of plant 
groups where coverage has been expanded."

If anyone's familiar with Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" 
(considered by many to be the "bible" on that topic), this book is published 
in the same way, with the color photos at the back and it also has a glossary.

I'm almost in a dead faint at my good fortune to have stumbled across this 
comprehensive reference/text book which I'd never heard of until recently. 
There 
must be some list members who are familiar with this book...I'd love to hear 
any comments anyone might have. Are there other reference/text books out 
there that are highly recommended - or even more so?

Joanie 
Z. 5a/4b
Chicago area

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