The vast majority of horticulture books use the color or form
method for identifying rather than discrete, consistent
characters
•
Besides Bailey’s
Encyclopedia of Horticulture
and a few others,
few horticulture books cover the whole spectrum of garden
plants, leaving many possibilities out
•
Few horticulture books address a
Key
for correct identification
(more about keys in a moment)
If you’re interested in a special group of garden plants like
roses, chrysanthemums, and cacti there are books covering
those subjects in fair detail, making i.d. somewhat more
practical
•
Currently, the best way to id garden plants is by learning to
key to family and then consulting books on genera, if available