Description
500 Popular Shrubs and Trees for New Zealand Gardeners is a comprehensive horticultural guide first published in 1998. It serves as a practical manual for selecting and maintaining a wide variety of woody plants suitable for the New Zealand climate.
Key Features and Content
Plant Directory: The book provides detailed descriptions of 500 different shrubs and trees, including both native and exotic species popular in New Zealand gardens.
Organisation: Entries are typically arranged alphabetically by botanical name for quick reference, accompanied by an index for common names.
Cultivation Advice: Each entry includes essential growing information, such as:
Soil and Light Requirements: Guidance on the best planting locations.
Maintenance: Specific instructions on pruning, transplanting, and protecting plants from common pests and diseases.
Visuals: Most editions feature full-colour photographs to assist with identification and garden design.
Reference Tables: Some versions include summary tables that condense basic information—like height, spread, and flowering season—into a quick-glance format.
Publication Details
Publisher: Viking (Auckland, N.Z.).
Format: Typically a softcover book of approximately 288–294 pages.
Historical Context: It followed similar successful titles like 500 Shrubs for NZ Gardens (1979) and 500 Popular Garden Plants for New Zealand Gardeners (1997).
Softcover in protective plastic sleeve. First edition copy. 288 pages. In good preloved condition.
