Reviews of Southern Living Garden Book: The Complete Encyclopedia of More Than 5,000 Southern Plants

This is one gardening book I continually referenced for information pertaining to my area. A very useful reference guide.

For anyone interested in doing any gardening or landscaping in the American South, I really believe that this is the single book that I would recommend over all others. It strikes a wonderful balance between being technical and scientific while still being approachable, and between the intrinsic qualities of an individual plant, and the way that plant fits into a landscape. Comprehensive but not overhwelming. Joust terrific. A particularly useful tool for the millions of people who have moved to the South from somewhere else and needs a primer on the climate and conditions and the fascinatingly diverse plant palette available here. The only negative is that some of the drawings used to illustrate plants are unclear, and others are just plain inaccurate. And its use of a combination of standard AHS heat zones and also Southern Living's own climate zone system can take a little getting used to, but works well once you become accustomed to them. An invaluable, beautiful book that achieves that rare feat of being both informative and fun. Literally every time I pick it up, I'm re-inspired to do more cool things in my yard. A bargain at twice the price!

This has been my most used gardening book for years (both the first & second editions). Most information seems to be correct. I do wish it had more plants listed (such as many that are listed in the National Gardening Book) and I wish it had more color pictures. I heartily recommend this book to ANYONE in the southern part of the country. JUST BUY IT!

should be a staple in every southern gardener's library

this is by far the best book for the south. it not only has just about every plant you could ever want, it gives varieties as well. in addition, it tells you how to care for them. i wouldn't be without it. if you don't have this book, i highly advise that you get it asap!

I purchased the The Southern Garden Book (1st printing Feb 1998) from SAM's club a few years ago for $18.45 and loved all 512 pages. When the 1st printing revised edition came out with 720 pages, I loved it even more even although the price increased to ($20.23). I even bought an extra or two as gifts for my gardening friends. Southern Garden Book has been my bible for plant/garden information.

This book has been very, very helpful to me. I moved from zone 6 to zone 7. It has been a bigger change than I would have imagined. I refer to this book constantly to learn what will work best in this area.

This is the best reference book I have found for all-around information on plants for the South. It has variety specific recommendations that helps you select those that will flourish in your area. It touches on many areas: heat zone ratings, practical hints, tips and old-fashioned wisdom, Plant selection guides. More than 7,000 plant listings keyed to Southern Living climate zone maps. A must for learning about the south!!!

It's incredibly useful to have a plant encyclopedia that specifically addresses how a plant will behave in my climate. When I read more generic plant descriptions, I constantly have to remind myself - it might bloom earlier here, it might need more shade here, it might not survive the summer here, etc.

This is an excellent book. I live in Georgia and this book has helped me out so many times! I recommend this book to any southern gardener that is starting out. It helps!

I have had this book for awhile and it is my right arm, amust for southern Gardeners. I visited a nursery a while back and she was showing us something in her most used book and she swears by this book . Great Book to own!!

I purchased this book and the companion "Garden Problem Solver" a few years before I became a serious gardener. Superb book, I would recommend it to anyone.

I LOVE this book (and the earlier edition)! It is the best reference book for the southern gardener! It lists 7,000 plants and actually recomends individual varieties for specific zones. I've found it to be a great aid in designing, planning and maintaining my garden.

The 2004 edition is an indispensable guide to gardening in the warmer zones that is helpful to novice and more experienced gardeners alike. Remarkably thorough.

This was one of my first gardening books as well. I am waiting with baited breath til my copy of the new updated version arrives. It is probably my fave gardening book still. A must-have for those trying to garden in the temperamental south. I had no idea of the huge differences in climates of the South until I read this book- and I'm a native of Ga. I highly recommend this book.

An indispensable book for southern gardeners, particularly ones new to the gardening realm. One of my earliest gardening books, and still one of the best for southern climes. There is a new revised edition as of 2004 with thousands of new plants added to the plant descriptions.

One of my first garden book purchases, and a well-worn resident of my handiest bookshelf. I've outgrown the book in many ways, but I still like thumbing through it every now and again. Definitely recommend for new gardeners (or those new to gardening in the South.)