Forum home› The potting shed
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

RHS A-Z plants and flowers

gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
in The potting shed
Evening everyone, so I currently have 2 different versions of the RHS encyclopedia of plants and flowers book but was wondering if it’s worth getting the RHS A-Z plants book, it is a lot of money so wondering if anyone here knew how much difference there is between the two books.

Many thanks :smile:
«1

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I bought an RHS encyclopedias of plants and flowers when it first came out in the 80s but it was soon superceded by an updated version and, as with all things, the plants and flowers going in or out of fashion affect what is available form nurseries or as seeds to buy and grow oneself.

    You can look up most plants on their website and it's free.   Other websites usually cover anything not n the RHS list.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Thanks for the advice guys, yes sadly or rather more annoyingly information on plants is superceded quicker than we can keep up! Plants have name changes etc. I’ll keep a look out if I can get a cheap copy :smile:
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    When you have identified the edition you want - and there are many - search on eBay, Amazon and ABE to see what the second hand price is. You can pick up one of the early editions for about a tenner including delivery.
    Rutland, England
  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    A year or two ago I asked in Waterstones about a new A-Z Garden Plants.

    £75! 
    Southampton 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I often buy CD's from world of books.
    I've just had a look and they have several copies -

    https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/category/all?search=THE%20RHS%20ENCYCLOPEDIA%20OF%20PLANTS%20AND%20FLOWERS


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    The full A to Z as it's 2 volumes so is more comprehensive and gives more cultivars of many plants.  I have both,  sometimes on line searches are too specific and don't always show all options.  With the books I often come across things of interest that I wasn't aware of before. 
    AB Still learning

  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    Pan series of plant books by Roger Philips and Martin Rix are an excellent an informative series of books that i ordered second hand from ebay.  I have rhs also but i rate the pan series higher. 
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    edited February 2021
    Clicking on @Pete.8’s useful link, the dates of those volumes top left to bottom right are 2019 (784 pages - blue sweet pea on cover), 2006, 1989, 2010, 1989, 1999, 2003, 2008, 1994, n/d.

    The two volume edition is 2000 with 1080 pages

    Not shown is probably the best option which is an 1100 page 2016 edition by Dorling Kindersley. It has a white cover with a green plant on the front.  Indeed it’s so heavy it comes in its own box with a green rope carrying handle. Though the list price is c.£80 you can find second hand copies for about £25.
    Rutland, England
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'm sure you could get a "pre owned" copy on Amazon or ebay
    Devon.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    If you're not in a rush, it might be worth looking in local charity shops when they reopen. Always a good source for gardening and cookery books. 
Sign In or Register to comment.