Bamboo for Gardens

I was disappointed with this book. The author Mr. Morgan (a native of Montana) is specifically writing about bamboos growing in America!I'm sure somewhere in the book he stated that the climate in Minnesota was similar to 'cool and cloudy England.'I get the impression that in the first part of his book Ted is erring on the 'scientific' side, whilst n the Chapter/Section 'Bamboo Genera, Species, and Cultivars' where Bamboos are named, there is extremely little information on actually growing a particular Bamboo. For example under the heading Fargesia Robusta - you just get the Max height, Culm diameter, (when grown in America?) Min temperature, that it likes 'partial shade', and Pandas find it tasty. An interesting book if you want a Pseudo Scientific read, but not much advice for actually growing them. For the 'average Jo', Paul Wittaker's book 'Practical Bamboos' at some £11 cheaper is a better buy.

brilliant informative book

Excellent overview of Bamboo. About half detailed information on bamboo, including biology, growing and propagation. About half, brief write ups on many common--and quite a few not so common--species. Recommended.

Very comprehensive reference book on the varieties of bamboo, their growth habits, cultivation requirements and land of origin. Lots of good color photos. Excellent book for bamboo fanciers.

I was not expecting this book to be what it turned out to be. I had hoped it might be another Hardy Bamboos ala Whittaker. But it is certainly not that. But now after having read it I am glad it is what it is, that being a very useful, fact-filled compendium and quasi-encyclopoedia on the bamboos.Ted has done his homework. He has read thoroughly the recent literature, esp. Lynn Clark's work at Iowa. His botanical erudition was surprising and welcome. I know more now about bamboo's physiology than I ever thought I'd wanted to know! There are not alot of photos. Certainly nothing like Whittaker's photo selection which includes shots of just about every bamboo covered. Nor are his species descriptions anything like the comprehensive and often highly personal accounts of Whittaker. So don't buy this book for a guide to the specific bamboos. It is more useful for the bambusaphile and botanist and ardent plantsman who wants to really get down and know bamboos inside and out. If that is the order of the day, then this is a great book.But I am still in love with Hardy Bamboos: Taming the Dragon!