This major two-volume reference work covers over 1,000 genera in outstanding colour photographs and authoritative, detailed text. Bridging the gap between scientific texts and everyday horticultural books, this guide provides an unrivalled insight into the relationships between garden plants and their environments, the history of plant development (as studied through fossils), and the most up-to-date DNA studies, set to revolutionise classification. It will become an indispensable aid to any aspiring gardener. Volume I: Trees, Shrubs and Climbers covers over 450 genera of woody plants listed in botanical order. It starts with descendants of the Jurassic - tree ferns, ginko, conifers, through the earliest flowering plants,, on to catkin-bearing and fruit trees, ending with maples and other advanced flowering plants. The distinctive cordyline, palm, and bamboo families are treated separately.

Author Biography

In 1975 Roger Phillips began his life's major work of photographing and publishing pictures of the world's garden plants. He set out to develop an encyclopedic collection of books to show the difference between plants as diverse as mosses, roses and annuals. His first book, Wild Flowers of Britain (1977), was a huge success, selling 400,000 copies in the first year. He has since written 20 additional volumes (often with his co-author Martyn Rix) selling over 6million copies worldwide. His latest book is Mushrooms. Roger has written and presented two major six-part TV series on gardening (BBC & Channel 4). Famed for his ebullient personality and garish red glasses, he has become a well-recognised figure in the world of gardening.