This book is dedicated to gardening and landscaping in the western US. Although it contains much info pertaining to local climates, planting methods, pests, caring for plants, etc, it is best known as the comprehensive reference of nearly all plants used in landscaping in the western United States. It is simple enough for just about anyone to understand but also contains horticultural info and scientific names of thousands of plants and is useful for professionals as well. Plants are listed both by common and scientific names, and information is given as to which climates of the area these plants do best in (through the widely used Sunset Climate Zones), the conditions they prefer, and their form. This is basically the Jepson Manual of horticultural plants in this part of the world