From the Publisher: "Based on the most up-to-date research, Temperate Garden Plant Families spans the spectrum from Acanthaceae (the acanthus family) to Zingiberaceae (the ginger family), and reflects the current scientific consensus about the family status of the most popular garden genera. "

An up to date reference book that works well in conjunction with other reference works. This would work well for the advanced gardener or horticulturist.

Whilst I am most definitely not a horticulturist, I am terribly curious and I love learning. Do not be put off by the scientific sounding title or serious cover, this book is wonderful! It is designed to be a reference book but so enthralled by the interesting facts and surprising connections was I, I read it straight through! I have since referred back to it several times to guide my plant matching and planning.

Each family of temperate plant is discussed both in terms of identification, it’s flowers, fruit, relations and uses. Understanding the overarching structure of plants and how each is related helps in understanding each plant individually so much better! I also love knowing things like the agave is a relative of asparagus and is used to make tequila! Fascinating facts abound! I also have a new respect for the importance of the Latin naming as it makes remembering who is who so much easier! The drawings are gorgeous and the photos helpful!

Many of the plants are highly poisonous, and it’s deadly uses explained. I was amuse do to think, in a whodunit, this book would most definitely count against any murder suspect who owned it!

It is a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and if you have a love for plant, I highly recommend it!

This book is not for those looking for a quick read, or a catalogue listing of plants for certain areas. This is a more detailed, scientific look into the classification and history of classification of plant species. If I were taking a plant college or university course, I would either use this book for a source in a paper, or be reading it as a course requirement. Though it is a little dry to read, the information is truly interesting and relevant to an understanding of how plants are and were classified. If you have an interest in learning about how plants are grouped together, or need a good source for a botanical class, this is the book to check out. If you simply want to see what plants would be good for your garden, look somewhere else, but give this a quick look if you want to impress your gardening friends.

This is a textbook-like book that lists 92 plant families with information about the plants in each one. Included for each is:

Family name
common name
number of species and genera
range
plant form
flowers
fruit
description
some of the plants in the family
line drawings and/or color photos of examples (not provided for all families)

Each section is about one full page of text about the family characteristics and several pages of photos and/or drawings of some examples. The photos/drawings are in no way exhaustive and do not always show the plants in the ways people would most recognize them (for instance, the two photos of maples were close ups of the small flowers).

I had hoped that the book would help me as a forager, but it is not designed to really tell you how plants are useful or edible but just how to classify them and know which other plants are related. This is also NOT an ID book. I had also hoped it could be helpful in homeschooling, but it is too dry and academic for a casual read even for a plant lover like me, and definitely not something kids/teens would pick up for fun.

Recommended for those who need to have up-to-date information about plant families for classes, work or research. Probably of limited value to others.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.