This comprehensive horticultural reference was published in 1969 in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society, featuring the expert knowledge of Roy Hay and Patrick M. Synge. Roy Hay was a highly influential British gardening writer and broadcaster, while Patrick Synge served as the editor of the RHS Journal for 21 years; together, they created this definitive guide which includes over 2,000 color photographs categorized by plant type, from alpine and rock garden varieties to trees and shrubs. The book is prized for its high-quality plates and practical cultural notes, making it an enduring favorite for both serious botanists and home gardeners. This copy is in good vintage condition, though the dust jacket is protected by a plastic sleeve that shows some adhesive tape marks on the inner flaps and light crinkling. The internal pages are clean and the binding remains strong, with only minor age-related yellowing to the edges.