No comments about The Growing and Marketing of Fall Mums: How You Can Turn Your Backyard into a Money-Making, Growing Machine!.

5 comments about Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste.

1. Canadian garden writer and lecturer Hodgson is true to his book's title, covering quite a lot of ground in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. Preliminary chapters cover the basics such as getting started, creating a design, and keeping plants healthy. The highlight, however, is the 14 chapters that profile perennials that can be used in unique situations (e.g., dry, wet, sunny, shade, easy-care). Each plant profile includes a photograph, a sidebar listing plant characteristics, and informative paragraphs detailing good companion plants, problems and solutions, and the top performers and recommended varieties for each plant. Other "extras" include a beautiful section of seven garden designs, a glossary of the meanings of botanical names, plant sources, and the American Horticultural Society Heat Zone Map.



2. Although I have many books on gardening and perennials, this one is my absolute favorite. It's a wonderful resource for selecting, planting, and propagating hundreds of different perennials. Each plant is fully described on two pages with gorgeous photography. I especially like the "Plant Profile" section which offers a thumbnail description of color, size, hardiness, and several other factors. This enables the reader to instantly determine whether a particular plant will work in a given space. I also like the author's notes on "Problems and Solutions" for each plant. His blunt, honest, and humorous comments have saved me from planting beautiful, but migraine-inducing, flowers. A great reference and fun to read.



3. For anyone living in the Northern part of the US or Canada, this book is a must. I especially appreciated the honest if opiniated descriptions of the strenghts and weaknesses of each plants. Care and propagation is also sensibly put forth, all the emphasis given to the concerns of the gardeners in zone 5, 4 and even 3.



4. It is simply the best book on the market if you are looking for a book on Perennials ONLY.



5. This book is my absolute favorite gardening book. Author includes a warning on those plants that can be overbearing. A great gift book for the beginning or seasoned gardener.

5 comments about Taylor's Guide to Perennials (Taylor's Gardening Guides).

1. With its clear photographs, clear and helpful hints on propogating, planning and caring for hundreds of perennials, and a binding which is designed to allow the book to lie open and flat, it is the book I find myself using almost to the exclusion of all others.



2. This book is arranged like a bird-identifier book-- color plates in the front arranged by flower color with plant details referenced in the back of the book. The color plates are clear, good color quality, and provide close-ups of the flowers. Pen and ink drawings of plant profiles, leaf structures, and distinguishing features enhance the books ability to help the reader identify "what plant is this?" If you're looking for detailed growing conditions or a "how to", get another book. But if you're looking for a thorough, easy-to-carry-to- the-localgarden-nursery book, to identify plants and the flowers they will yield then this book is for you! I have tons of books on periennals, but this is the one that never fails me when I need to ID a plant or flower.



3. This book is arranged like a bird-identifier book-- color plates in the front arranged by flower color with plant details referenced in the back of the book. The color plates are clear, good color quality, and provide close-ups of the flowers. Pen and ink drawings of plant profiles, leaf structures, and distinguishing features enhance the books ability to help the reader identify "what plant is this?" If you're looking for detailed growing conditions or a "how to", get another book. But if you're looking for a thorough, easy-to-carry-to- the-localgarden-nursery book, to identify plants and the flowers they will yield then this book is for you! I have tons of books on periennals, but this is the one that never fails me when I need to ID a plant or flower.



4. I have many helpful gardening books but this one is the one I always come back to. It's best for identitifying plants or finding the perfect plant for certain conditions. Great photos and lots of them!



5. I am very new to gardening and found this book very helpful. It is cut and dry! The plants are listed in alphabetical order explaining where to plant them and how to care for them. It also describes when and if to trim them back and if dead heading is needed. I also enjoyed how one section of the book organized plants based on color.

2 comments about Timber Press Pocket Guide to Clematis (Timber Press Pocket Guides).

1. This is one of the best book on Clematis that I have read so far. The one mystery of Clematis is what pruning class is my Clematis is in? This book helps you solve the mystery so that you prune your Clematis correctly for the best flowering results.



2. This book is excellent. The size is good, the cover is laminated. Has a great number of celmatis varieties. A must have! I've looked at the Clematis Encyclopedia also written by Toomey but I chose this one and am glad I did. Out of my 55 varieties that I have only 12 were not listed in the book, most likely because they are 'sports' of listed varieties. If you are interested in Clematis, this is a must have book.

No comments about Meadows.

2 comments about Perennial Gardening in Texas.

1. This book offers a mountain of useful information on technical, environmental, and artistic aspects of perennial gardening,
   presented in a manner that is simple and understandable, without being condescending.
   
   This could almost be a "coffee table" book, the pictures are so beautiful! There needs to be a paperback version that can be taken outside.
   
   Gardeners (and gardener "wannabes" - like me) all over the midwest can use this book.



2. The best new gardening book I've seen in a while. Instead of being a repeat of other high-quality Texas books (Native Texas Plants by Wasowski being the best IMO), a large part of the book is devoted to categorizing the plants by their forms (clumping, trailing, climbing, etc.), their prefered habitat (shade, boggy, etc.), by color, and by their ability to attract bees, birds, and other wildlife to your yard. I found these categorizations to be extremely useful. For further information about the plants, you can then look at the alphabetical listing of all the species mentioned in the book. The pictures in Wasowski's book are better, but the categorizations makes this book more useful for selecting plants for your particular landscape.

1 comments about Random House Book of Perennials Volume 2: Late Perennials (Pan Garden Plants Series) (Pan Garden Plants Series).

1. Have been a Master Gardener for five years and I love books. This series has been one that I go back to as a good research source for exccellent pictures, to the point summaries of the varities, and a large number of varieties listed for many plant species. Covers most planting zones but is easy to discover those for my zone 7 gardening. Have recommended this to many of my fellow Master Gardeners and am ordering the third set in less than 2 weks for them. A must for the perennial library.

1 comments about Perennials: Brighten Your Yard with Beautiful Perennials (Waterproof Books).

1. This book is great if you are lounging by a pool or the beach and want to read something that won't get ruined, but there just wasn't enough of the book there... Not enough variety of perennials. I love the concept of a waterproof book, but it just lacked more information that would have made it a better buy.

4 comments about Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide.

1. For such a widely heralded group of plants, hellebores have always suffered from a dearth of supporting literature. Many of the best books are out-of-print and nearly impossible to find. The few volumes available approach the genus from a decidely European vantage point. This book solves both problems -- delivering comprehensive information applicable to a North American audience. Almost all chapters are well-researched and written in a scholarly tone. Quality photographs supplement the text. The book pays tribute to the European influence on raising hellebores to their current lofty position, but at the same time ample attention is devoted to American contributors and the peculiarities of U.S. growing conditions. My one qualm is the book's lack of focus on a major trend in future hybrid hellebore development, namely the mass production of superior named clones (such as doubles) via tissue culture. Barry Glick at Sunshine Farm and Gardens (competition for Tyler's Pine Knot??) is a leader in this effort. Despite this minor flaw, the book is destined to become a standard work consulted by horticulturists for years to come.



2. Hellebores and the Humans Who Love Them
   
   This book is the story of hellebores, and the humans who love them. In Great Britain it is about Good King John and the Knights of Ashwood, breeding to the highest standards of beauty. It is about Brian, the Earl of Taxon, smitten as a boy who "...found a hybrid of the H. orientalis type on a rubbish tip..." But now, a little hellebore hate has crept in because "...there is no foolproof system of classification." And there is Will, the Dark Lord of Phedar refusing to bow to the "horticultural elite", refusing to write their "pap". On his own path, he has "...spread hellebores throughout the world."
   
   The Queen Mother's Strangman and Ballard, who "...provided a wide, firm base upon which breeders have built." Now Lord Robin of Blackthorn, Sir Kevin of Ashwood and their plants have "...set a new standard for H x hybridus."
   
   In the United States are the Tyler's of Southern Virginia and the O'Byrne's of The Pacific Northwest, with Sir Colston holding court as he preaches around the country.
   
   This book is the story of the care and patience, the worry and work that these people, and many more, have given to the hellebores.
   
   And what have the hellebores given us in return? Let's start with blazing, dazzling color, at a time of year when it can be leisurely appreciated. Let's move on to the subtle colors of red, silver and chartreuse on leaves, veins, buds, stems and stalks. They freely offer us their seeds. They grow in dry shade, are long lived, and usually they scoff at the deer and voles that come sniffing around. They make an almost perfect group of plants for the home garden where I live in Durham, North Carolina.
   
   After years of collecting, growing and breeding hellebores the authors have given us this book, not just their experience but the experience of dozens over time. This book gives voice to an entire community. It took a global village to raise the hellebores. And raise it they did, from horticultural obscurity to perennial plant of the year.
   
   Authenticity reigns throughout this book. From history and taxonomy through the species, hybrids, propagation, breeding, growing, design, and even cut flower information, the authors write from their own experience or the direct experience of others.
   
   Are there flaws in the book? Of course there are. Anyone wanting to read my notes entitled, " Flaws, nitpicky and otherwise," are free to email me at [...] and I will share them readily. Seriously.
   
   My only complaint for this review is that Richard Tyler's name is not on the front of the book, because his photos, as well as his considerable heart and soul, fill the inside pages.
   
   If you want to learn more about this magnificent tribe we call hellebores, and the magnificent people who love them, then buy this book.



3. The information in this book helped me add hellebores to my garden. I shared this book with my neighbor and she fell in love with the plant - This book explains and guides you with caring for this wonderful plant!



4. At last, a superb book on Hellebores, beautifully illustrated and lots of useful contacts. Highly recommended. John Geddes Head Gardener Brynkinalt Hall u.k.

4 comments about Begonias: Cultivation, Identification, and Natural History.

1. I would give this book top rating if I had had a scientific interest in the history of begonias. I bought it thinking it would have a lot of practical cultivation and propogation tips and it disappointed me in that respect. It's a very thoroughly written and documented botanist's book - not really targeting the home gardener.



2. I found this text to be very useful. The scientific classifications, including leaf shape, texture, stem placment and flower formation were introduced in an approachable and engaging manner. The section on pests and diseases that are problems for begonias was very useful. Learning the origin and natural habitat of various begonias really helps with their successful cultivation. I did not find the more scientific aspects offputting at all. The text is written in a way that I found very appealing, and the large number of color photographs make it visually rich. This is a very thorough and appealing look at the amazingly diverse begonia family.
   
   I would recommend this to anyone who wants to become more familiar with this fascinating plant family. For those of us with an acknowledged interest (ie, member of the American Begonia Society here) this book is a real treasure.



3. Anything and everything you wanted to know about Begonias. Very thorough, good pictures and an excellent reference book!



4. Great reference for species begonias. Probably more information than the average begonia grower will every use. I was hoping it would include more information on hybrids. Good information about culture and care.