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The Garden Succulents Primer

By Gideon Smith and Ben-Erik van Wyk

Help[s] to make sense of what sometimes seems an indigestible and ... alien group of plants.

Gardens Illustrated

Succulents and rock garden plants have become popular for their ease of cultivation, diversity of form, and striking colors. Their natural drought tolerance makes them especially useful for gardens in arid climates and water-conserving gardens. The Garden Succulents Primer is a user-friendly identification guide. It includes detailed descriptions of more than 400 well-known succulents and their close relatives that will allow readers to quickly determine the family to which a succulent belongs. Descriptions are supported with 450 color photographs that showcase each plant's distinctive shape and color. Also includes chapters on use, conservation, cultivation, and propagation.

Filed under: encyclopedia, succulents, cultivation, dry climate, international, propagation, rock garden

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320 pp.
Book dimensions: 6½ x 9½ in. (165 x 240 mm.)
Images: 450 color photos, 10 color illustrations
ISBN-10: 0881929549
ISBN-13: 9780881929546

Media reviews

"Help[s] to make sense of what sometimes seems an indigestible and — certainly to northern temperate gardeners — alien group of plants."

—Nick Macer, Gardens Illustrated

About the authors

Gideon Smith

Gideon Smith is a well-known authority on succulent plants and author of several books. He is a professor of botany at the University of Pretoria.

Ben-Erik van Wyk

Ben-Erik van Wyk is a professor of botany at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His scientific field of interest is in plant classification, ethnobotany, and useful plants.