The Gardener's Guide to Succulents: A Handbook of Over 125 Exquisite Varieties of Succulents and Cacti

by Misa Matsuyama

Overview

The Gardener's Guide to Succulents is a stunning visual reference identifying over 125 plants from 40 different genera of succulents and cacti.

Fleshy, spiny, hairy, flowering—and coming in every imaginable shape, color and size—this plant family has captured the affection of plant enthusiasts all over the world. This book provides a beautiful overview of the diversity that succulents have to offer, presenting a wide variety of popular plants to help you create striking, aesthetically pleasing compositions.

This succulent guide includes information about:

• What each variety needs and where it thrives
• Plant characteristics, with ratings on ease of growth and maintenance requirements
• Ideas for group plantings and illustrated tips on indoor planting
• Striking identification photos, rich in color and contrast

This succulent encyclopedia is a useful resource for everyone—from cacti beginners looking to decorate their living space to serious gardeners hoping to expand their succulent plantings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804851060
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	45,771
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Misa Matsuyama is a horticulturist specializing in succulents, as well as a teacher and author of several books on raising and displaying succulents. She is the creative director of sol x sol, a Japanese company selling succulent plants, pots and tools and offering inspiration to home gardeners. You can find her work on her website www.solxsol.com

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

This richly illustrated and skillfully executed book from horticulturist Matsuyama, her first to be published in English, explores the “vast, mysterious and fascinating” botanical realm of succulents. Explaining how these plants evolved the ability to retain water, Matsuyama observes that “the shapes born from such strength are beautiful and strange” and that succulents are resistant to both drought and cold temperature. In the book’s first section, she examines various categories of succulents—those with plump leaves, with overlapping leaves, with rosettes, and so on—discussing individual plants’ characteristics and growing needs. For example, the rosette variety known as “Party Dress” is “large and beautiful,” as well as “strong and easy to grow but requires quite a bit of space when grouped with other plants.” In the second section, Matsuyama looks at one of the best-known kinds of succulent, cacti, and in the third and final section, highlights ways to combine and arrange various specimens, particularly cacti, in garden or home displays. Adventurous gardeners will find that Matsuyama’s book, with its precise explanations and copious photos, ushers them into a fascinating world. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"…richly illustrated and skillfully executed…Adventurous gardeners will find that Matsuyama's book, with its precise explanations and copious photos, ushers them into a fascinating world." — Publishers Weekly

"…a good diagnostic for folks interested in learning more about these strange and beautiful living things…the 125-plus [succulents] are well photographed and described…a glossary at the end will satisfy the more scientifically curious." — Booklist

"A clear, cohesive guide to growing succulents, with maintenance tips, characteristics and useful identification photos." — Gardens Illustrated Magazine

"The Gardener's Guide to Succulents is full of everything you've ever wanted to know about the different types of succulents…Descriptive and vibrant photos are also included…a great read for adventurous gardeners, looking to take on a new project, perhaps a project outside of their comfort zone." — Washington Gardener Magazine

"…The Gardener's Guide to Succulents is a great introduction…and covers an extraordinary number of species. I also have to give high praise for the photography in [it] — it is ridiculously good with tight closeups and macro shots of each plant's most attractive characteristics." — Big Blog of Gardening

"…[a] beautifully illustrated guide…Matsuyama offers gardeners plenty of bang for their buck, including strong visuals and the basics of growing and propagating popular succulents and cacti." — Library Journal

"The book, through beautiful photos, is a guide to more than 125 types of succulents. The Gardener's Guide to Succulents provides care information for each." —Mom Home Guide blog

"…this book is a great reference to have on hand. It goes through basic information on what each genus needs and where it thrives, descriptions and ratings on ease of growth and maintenance, ideas on plantings, and lots of photos." —Desire to Inspire blog

From the Publisher

03/20/2020

The ability to retain water and flourish in dry climates makes succulents and cacti a popular choice with home gardeners. In this beautifully illustrated guide, Japanese horticulturalist Matsuyama's first to be published in English, more than 125 varieties of the plants are covered. Succulents are arranged by plant features, such as plump leaves or rosette formation. Another section looks at cacti arranged in categories by nicknames or its appealing "charms" (which might feel too whimsical or even confusing for some readers). A final chapter offers tips on planting and creating arrangements. VERDICT Matsuyama offers gardeners plenty of bang for their buck, including strong visuals and the basics of growing and propagating popular succulents and cacti. Novice horticulturists, however, might gravitate toward Ken Shelf and Rachel Weill's Essential Succulents, which covers fewer plants but offers a bit more hand-holding when it comes to getting started..—John Charles, formerly of Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Library Journal