The colour encyclopedia of ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails and selected bamboos By Rick Darke ISBN 0881924644, published in 1999 by Timber Press, colour, hardcover, 325 pages Price $A89.95 plus $A10 postage within Australia, overseas postage please request a quote

This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is an authoritative and beautifully illustrated reference on ornamental grasses. The author explores the unique aesthetics of grasses and suggests ways of maximising these qualities in the garden. He advocates studying grasses in their native habitat to learn their cultural needs, and to recognise natural patterns that can be emulated in landscape designs. At the heart of the book is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia - many of the most important plants are illustrated in more than one season. The book is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners who seek to extend their knowledge of these beautiful and useful plants.

Table of contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1 The beauty of grasses
• Chapter 2 The families of grasses and their relatives
• Chapter 3 The names of grasses
• Chapter 4 Learning from grasses in native habitats
• Chapter 5 Designing with grasses
• Chapter 6 Growing and maintaining grasses
• Chapter 7 Encyclopedia of grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails and selected bamboos (pages 131-300)
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Nursery sources
• USDA hardiness zone map
• European hardiness zone map
• Index of common names
• Index of botanical names