Further Education
Undoubtedly, there is now more than ever, an abundance of information and resources to further your knowledge about gardening and horticulture and thus this is a very limited list. The intention was to provide sources that are both professional and at the same time easily understood and used by the average gardener.
Local Libraries
On of the greatest sources of information about gardens and horticulture is your local library. There is nothing better than the help of a skilled librarian to find what you are looking for. The library will also gain you access to technical and specific data from information databases.
Websites: (Have relied on these websites frequently)
http://davesgarden.com
Wonderful online source with vast amounts of easily understood horticulture information, articles, movies, forums, plant exchange program, bug files, and much more. It is very much an interactive experience that you can participate in and enrich your life.
http://plants.usda.gov
The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories. It includes names, plant symbols, checklists, distributional data, species abstracts, characteristics, images, crop information, automated tools, onward Web links, and references. This information primarily promotes land conservation in the United States and its territories, but academic, educational, and general use is encouraged. PLANTS reduces government spending by minimizing duplication and making information exchange possible across agencies and disciplines.
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants
The Oregon State website contains images and information on over 900 landscape plants (mostly woody) listed in alphabetical order by genus, from Abelia to Zelkova. This website is ideal for those living in Washington State, as many of the plants and cultural conditions in Oregon are similar.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums
UBC Botanical Garden is located in Vancouver, Canada. The garden provides these forums for people from around the world to discuss plants and gardening with input from UBC researchers, staff and volunteers and other contributing experts. This website may offer some advantages to Dave’s Garden’s forums as there is more input from professionals.
http://www.greatplantpicks.org
"Great Plant Picks is an educational awards program committed to building a comprehensive palette of outstanding plants for Pacific Northwest gardens. Awards are based on the combined expertise of over forty horticulturists from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia."
http://gardening.wsu.edu/text/libr.htm
Our very own Washington State University extension service that focuses on gardening in Western Washington.
http://www.artofbonsai.org
"The Art of Bonsai Project is an online journal and community for the examination and exploration of the bonsai art form."
http://joa.isa-arbor.com/
"The Arboriculture & Urban Forestry is a bimonthly refereed journal devoted to the dissemination of knowledge in the science and art of planting and caring for trees in the urban environment. The journal is published by the International Society of Arboriculture, whose mission is to foster a greater appreciation for trees and to promote the research, technology, and practice of professional arboriculture."
Books
Cass Turnbull’s Guide to Pruning
By Cass Turnbull
This is a great introductory book for proper pruning techniques, giving specific examples on a plant-by-plant basis.
Gardening with Conifers
By Adrian Bloom
This book features outstanding photography and basic information about the use, propagation, and care of conifer species suited for landscapes.
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants
By Michael A. Dirr
This book provides highly detailed information on a range of woody landscape plants. The author is very humorous in some of his descriptions of plants.
How to Start a Home-based Landscaping Business
By Owen E. Dell
This is a highly practical and useful book for anyone trying to start a landscaping business out of their home or otherwise.
Western Garden Book (Sunset Western Garden Book)
By Kathleen Norris Brenzel (Editor)
A general book of gardening that is suited for our area and details many plants.
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast
By Pojar and Mackinnon
This is one of my favorite books because it provides tremendously thoughtful information on plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast and offers a detailed history of the use of these plants, which is lacking in many other texts.
The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents
By Terry Hewitt
For the lover of cacti and succulents and must have and a must read.
Plant Propagation
By American Horticultural Society
The how to for beginner and advanced propagators with a wide variety of plants and the various methods needed to propagate them.
Northwest SmartGarden Regional Guide
By American Horticultural Society
An excellent book for right plant, right spot thinking. It gives an excellent selection of plants suited to the Northwest that will do well in certain environmental conditions.
Northwest Home Landscaping
By Roger Holmes and Don Marshall
One of the more creative design books that provides design options for common landscape situations. You are give multiple options, plants lists, and even pictures of what it will look like.
