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