3500 photographs. Over 380 genera. More than 3700 species and cultivars. Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs is the most comprehensive visual reference to more than 3700 species and cultivars. From majestic evergreens to delicate vines and flowering shrubs, Dirr features thousands of plants and all the essential details for identification, planting, and care. Color photographs show each tree's habit in winter, distinctive bark patterns, fall color, and more. Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs  is a critical addition to any garden library. *Starred Review* With beautiful, artistic photographs and succinct text, this volume is nearly as attractive as one of the gorgeous blossoming shrubs discussed within. Dirr has added another well-written and slickly produced book to his volumes on plants used in ornamental horticulture. This volume is filled with information for the gardener, landscape architect, and all those curious about the trees and shrubs they may encounter.The chatty descriptions incorporate information often limited to tables—disease resistance, size, shape, and zone hardiness as well as some history and taxonomy. These descriptions are accompanied by high-quality photographs. Reading the entries is educational as well as inspirational for readers. There are mentions of trends, such as the note that junipers are falling out of fashion but that potentillas are highly regarded in northern gardens. An appendix listing plants for specific needs and purposes is notable. Comments like “about the closest to red flowers but still not red” speak of Dirr’s passion for and delight in the trees and shrubs as well as his expertise. His personal experiences with particular species are forthrightly and sometime wryly noted: “They sit in the garden and look at me, never prospering.” With descriptions of 380 genera illustrated with 3,500 photographs, this is likely to become a standard reference for including trees and shrubs in gardens of all types. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. --Linda Scarth “Dirr has guided discerning gardeners for decades—he has made the American landscape a better place.” — The Washington Post “Belongs on every serious gardener’s shelf. . . . This is a new, spruced-up edition of the bible of the industry, with a cleaner design, wipeable cover, newly introduced plants and changes in plant names. Just in time for a new generation of gardeners, Dirr’s encyclopedia is as charming as it is refined.” — The New York Times “Dirr has added another well-written and slickly produced book to his volumes on plants used in ornamental horticulture. Educational as well as inspirational. . . . this is likely to become a standard reference for including trees and shrubs in gardens of all types.” — Booklist starred review “Dirr has been growing and breeding plants for years and has experience with all the plants in this book. . . . There are 15 special topic listings—by flower color, flowering sequence, fall color, winter interest, salt or shade tolerance, moisture requirements, and plant form—which will help gardeners choose plants, as well as indexes of botanical and common names.”  — Library Journal “Michael Dirr’s hefty Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs belongs next to the American Horticultural Society’s A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants on your shelf of essential garden books. It is packed with information, features more than 3500 photographs for identification, and is written with wit and charm.” — MarthaStewart.com “For any serious gardener, the expense of this book will be repaid many times over in the valuable advice and information it will impart, page by page and pound by pound.” — Country Gardens “Dirr’s frank and often witty assessments make his works all the more special, unique, and fun to read.” — American Gardener “Long regarded as the nation’s foremost expert on trees and shrubs, Dr. Dirr has published a new book that, like his previous Manual of Woody Landscape Plants , draws on his encyclopedic knowledge and years of personal experience with trees and shrubs. However, the new book, Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs , adds thousands of photos to the mix, too.” — Better Homes and Gardens “Professor Michael A. Dirr is THE MAN when it comes to woody plants.” — Garden Rant “Sure to be one of the basic books for a serious gardener. It’s a user-friendly, photo packed distillation of the knowledge and informed opinion that make Dirr’s text packed ‘Manual of Woody Landscape Plants’ scripture in the landscape profession.” — Chicago Tribune “Meriting the terms classic, authoritative, gold-standard, this reference updates and combines in one binding two previously published books: Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs and Dirr’s Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates . Several thousand photos of excellent quality and consistency support graceful, well-informed text.” — Reference and Research Book News “Whether you’re a