This publication, which first appeared in 1987, is now very well‐established as an essential work for anyone in search of plants in the United Kingdom, though it can be used for a wide variety of other information. It is a publication which merits a place not only in relevant special libraries but also in reference departments of public libraries and libraries of academic institutions in which there are horticultural interests. It is a remarkably reasonably priced paperback at £12.99. The status of the publication is clearly shown by the fact that The Royal Horticultural Society is responsible for its publication with the marketing and distribution being done by Dorling Kindersley.
The RHS Plant Finder provides a valuable medium to link gardeners and nurserymen and it aims to cross reference plant names to their correct valid name. In the deletions index there are plant names that were listed in one or other of the three previous editions but which are now no longer represented. In this edition the bibliography has been omitted, but it can be obtained from the RHS Garden, Wisley for a £1 stamp. An electronic version of the Plant Finder is included in the Plant Finder Reference Library on CD‐Rom and this includes a full list of deletions and the bibliography. Users must be aware that information for this publication is supplied by nurseries concerned and whilst the compiler and editor have attempted to check relevant details, it is recognised that some errors may be present.
A clear explanation of the plant nomenclature is provided. The plant directory forms the major part of the publication and here plants are listed in alphabetical order of cultivar name. Following the plant directory there is a wide range of valuable indexes provided for the diversity of users which the publication generates, for example, the Nursery Code Index and the Code Nursery Index. Seed suppliers, succulent suppliers and orchid suppliers are also listed separately. In order to trace the genus from which a species has been transferred, there is a Reverse Synonyms List. There is a Hardy Plant Society Search List indicating plants for which no known source has been found. The publication ends with a series of maps locating the nurseries referred to in the book via their respective codes.
Apart from being necessary in the types of library indicated earlier, this publication is one which is likely to be purchased by a large number of individuals for the excellent range of information which it provides for all concerned with the growing of plants.
