Sunset Western Garden Book Review (2007 Edition)

The Sunse Western Garden book is generally regarded as the bible of gardening books for those living in the Western United States. It has been newly released in its 8th edition for 2007 in hardback.

This new edition includes significantly more photography, which was a great reponse to one of the few common complaints with the older editions. It includes llstings on over 8000 plants (500 of which are new to Western Garden book with this edition). These are keyed to the growing zones. One of the key features of the Sunset book is that they have broken out more granular climate zones than the normal USDA zone, which are quite helpful in choosing the right plants for your area.

The new edition includes updated information on the Western climate zones, 30 Plant Selection Guides, plus a Practical Guide to Gardening with basic advice on plant care and essential gardening techniques. New plant lists reflect current trends, such as Mediterranean gardening and easy-care plants for beginners. Also useful for beginners is the gardening glossary.

Another new feature in this edition is gardening tips from well-known plant experts throughout the West. Encyclopedic in nature, it has contributions from 40 eminent Western garden experts

The Western Garden Book includes an introduction by Sunset garden editor Kathleen N. Brenzel, with a photographic tour of gardens that are truly the `Best of the West’.

It is one of the most commented books you will find on Amazon, the Sunset Western Garden Book has been around in several editions for many years. If you go to the Amazon listing you will find 40 comments, although many are regarding older editions. The average customer rating is quite high.

One of the few complaints that you will find on the 2007 edition is that the index has been reduced to only 3 pages (down from 16) by eliminating the references to many individual plant listings.

One common suggestion is to be sure and get the Sunset Western Garden Book hardback edition, as it will be used enough that the paperback version will not hold up. That in itself is quite a testimonial.