by Michael A. Dirr, illustrated by Bonnie L. Dirr

 

The sheer number of choices among hydrangea species, hybrids, and cultivated varieties can be overwhelming even for the most advanced gardeners. How do you choose from among the hundreds of mopheads, climbers, lacecaps, and oakleafs, to name just a few? And how do you care for hydrangeas in American gardens, when nearly all the books offering advice about them come from England and Europe?

 

Respected plantsman Michael Dirr comes to the rescue in this refreshingly forthright and practical guide to growing these distinctive shrubs and climbers. Any book on woody plants by Dirr immediately goes to the head of the class, so put this one down as the essential book on hydrangeas. His evaluations have the ring of close and accurate observation.