ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CONIFERS

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Conifers. Please read the information before you contact us with a question, it may be answered here.

What is the Encyclopedia of Conifers?

It is a comprehensive guide to cultivars and species of conifers. The Encyclopedia of Conifers is a much needed reference book on conifer cultivars and species, both hardy and tropical. The book is designed to meet the needs of professional as well as amateur gardeners. It continues the Royal Horticultural Society's commitment to make the best gardening information readily available to all. Authors have travelled the globe to study and photograph conifers in private collections, botanic gardens and arboreta and it is published in two volumes.

Who wrote the Encyclopedia of Conifers?

The Encyclopedia of Conifers was written by Aris G. Auders, a conifer collector and photographer from Latvia, and Derek P. Spicer, Chairman of the British Conifer Society. The authors have been assisted by Lawrie Springate, RHS International Conifer Cultivar Registrar (2004–2009) and Victoria Matthews, RHS International Registrar.
Dr Aris G. Auders is a conifer collector, photographer, writer and garden designer. He has one of the largest collections of conifer cultivars in Europe. His other interests include unusual trees and shrubs with coloured or variegated foliage, such as Magnolia and Acer, combined with an extensive collection of Japanese koi carp. He lives in Riga, Latvia.
Derek P. Spicer has an MSc in plant taxonomy and is a founder member and Chairman of the British Conifer Society. He is also a member of the RHS Woody Plant Committee and the RHS Advisory Subcommittee on Conifer Registration. He has been collecting and propagating conifer species and cultivars on his wholesale conifer nursery since the late 1960s and lives in Leicestershire, England, UK.

What information is in the Encyclopedia of Conifers?

The two volumes of the Encyclopedia of Conifers provide information about 8,000 cultivars with over 5,000 photographs and all of the world’s 615 conifer species, plus their subspecies and varieties.The species descriptions follow the most recent botanical classification (Farjon, 2010) and cultivar information has been compiled with reference to the RHS International Conifer Register and Checklist, including as yet unpublished data. There is a unique appendix listing all the principle conifer collectors, nurseries, arboreta and individuals responsible for introducing new cultivars over the last three centuries.

How was the information collected?

Aris G. Auders, a conifer collector and photographer from Latvia, and Derek P. Spicer, Chairman of the British Conifer Society, have been working on this book for 7 years. They have traveled the globe to study and photograph conifers in private collections, botanic gardens and arboreta.

How long did it take to write?

The authors have been working on this title for seven years and the information was updated during last year.

Why was it made?

The encyclopedia continues the fine tradition of conifer cultivar reference works started by Murray Hornibrook in 1923 and added to every 20–30 years by subsequent conifer specialists. The book is designed to meet the needs of professional as well as amateur gardeners. It continues the Royal Horticultural Society's commitment to make the best gardening information readily available to all.

How many conifers are listed in the Encyclopedia of Conifers?

There are listed all of the world’s 615 conifer species, plus their subspecies and varieties. All cultivars registered with the RHS, more than 8,000, are included in the descriptive list. The two volumes of this 1,500 page work include over 5,000 high quality photographs.

How many pages are there in the Encyclopedia of Conifers?

In both volumes there are about 1,500 pages.

How many species of conifers listed in the Encyclopedia of Conifers still exist?

All 615 conifer species listed in the encyclopedia of Conifers still exist. There has been an explosion of new cultivars in recent years and this complete reference book includes at least a short mention of all recognised cultivars and species, including synonyms, descriptions and size after 10 years, where known, as well as yet unpublished data.

Who is a publisher of Encyclopedia of Conifers?

The publisher is Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Surrey, England in cooperation with Kingsblue Publishing Limited.