4 comments about Pictorial Guide to Perennials.

1. This fine book conjures up thoughts of those "wish list" seed catalogs that many of us received in the heyday of gardening. The book is designed around making it easy to select, prepare, grow and care for any of the 800 plants discussed. As any avid gardener knows, planning for spring begins the day of the first frost. And to this end, the Pictorial Guide To Perennials is an excellent way to get through the doldrums of a Midwest winter. Accurate color printing of the photos and concise yet informative plant descriptions combines for an easy-to-use format not found in other gardening books. The writing style quickly leads the reader to where they want to go - be it shade gardens or soil preparation. Quick references in the section dividers enables most anyone to find the right plant for their planting climate zone, no matter what the level of sun their yard receives. Well researched and referenced back to both University experts and renowned perennial plant propagators. Read it for the information, or of the fantasy that one day you will have such wonderful plantings as pictured in the book, if only you follow all of the instructions! Good value for the quality received



2. This fine book conjures up thoughts of those "wish list" seed catalogs that many of us received in the heyday of gardening. The book is designed around making it easy to select, prepare, grow and care for any of the 800 plants discussed. As any avid gardener knows, planning for spring begins the day of the first frost. And to this end, the Pictorial Guide To Perennials is an excellent way to get through the doldrums of a Midwest winter. Accurate color printing of the photos and concise yet informative plant descriptions combines for an easy-to-use format not found in other gardening books. The writing style quickly leads the reader to where they want to go - be it shade gardens or soil preparation. Quick references in the section dividers enables most anyone to find the right plant for their planting climate zone, no matter what the level of sun their yard receives. Well researched and referenced back to both University experts and renowned perennial plant propagators. Read it for the information, or of the fantasy that one day you will have such wonderful plantings as pictured in the book, if only you follow all of the instructions! Good value for the quality received



3. I have used this book over and over again...it is fantastic! A great collection of information. One of benefits that I appreciate is that the book assists you in pronoucing the names of the plants!! This book is one you will want around for a long time to come!!! If you are a gardner this is a must have book!!



4. This is definitley the best book I have found on perennials. Contains many pictures that help me to identify plants. I recommend it most highly.

2 comments about Hibiscus.

1. This book is written for those gardeners who can grow hibiscus outdoors. Container gardening of this plant is discussed but it is not the main focus. Recommended only for hibiscus growers in the southern US.



2. There are so few books concerning this plant that hibiscus fanciers should have this one. It is unfortunate that it is writen mainly for the hibiscus grown outdoors. It does, however include a few pages about container grown plants. The basics of growing hibiscus and discussion of species is informative. Recommended only for growers from southern US.

No comments about Meadows.

No comments about Perennial Gardens: Great Ideas and Projects for Glorious Color Year After Year (Better Homes & Gardens).

5 comments about Daylilies: The Perfect Perennial.

1. As I started reading it, many of my impressions and assumptions about daylilies disintegrated and a whole new concept was formed. They originated in Asia and there are more than 32,000 cultivars. Some consider them to be the perfect perennial because they tolerate a variety of conditions. Culture, pest, and propagation is covered along with requirements for registering new cultivars. It gives advice on which cultivars are best suited for your soil. Lists of cultivars are useful for selection since they indicate what size they are and how hardy they are. Good book!



2. As I started reading it, many of my impressions and assumptions about daylilies disintegrated and a whole new concept was formed. They originated in Asia and there are more than 32,000 cultivars. Some consider them to be the perfect perennial because they tolerate a variety of conditions. Culture, pest, and propagation is covered along with requirements for registering new cultivars. It gives advice on which cultivars are best suited for your soil. Lists of cultivars are useful for selection since they indicate what size they are and how hardy they are. Good book!



3. This book is full of text on cultivating and raising daylilies. Has some color photos-could use a few more, but an excellent learning tool.



4. This book is really the "how to" manual for beginning daylily addicts. In addition to a history of the species, it identifies high quality cultivars, describes various steps in planting, and most importantly is very informative about hybridizing. I use it as a reference manual as well as enjoyable reading.



5. I purchased this book since I had no prior knowledge of daylilies. This is a good book to provide the "beginner" with overview of daylilies. Only subject I found so far which was missing from this book was a more thorough explanation of when transplanting or planting bareroot daylilies there is a period where the plants outer leaves will die off and new growth will begin. If I hadn't asked on a garden forum about this, I would have assumed I was killing my daylilies. An updated publishing of this book would be better as well but content is still okay.
   Overall, it's still a good reference but not for a more experienced daylily gardener.

2 comments about Your Florida Guide to Perennials: Selection, Establishment, and Maintenance.

1. Get source of information, clearly laid out with lots of photos.
   Well worth having as a reference source for Florida gardening.



2. Highly recommended book for Floridians, it's helpful and easy to understand even if you don't have a green thumb.

No comments about Annuals for Ohio (Annuals for . . .).

4 comments about An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Clematis.

1. I own every book ever written about clematis. Unfortunately, this book was written by a Brit. That's the only negative for a North American grower. If you can own only one book on clematis this is the one. The author is very generous with her information. At least read this one cover to cover before buying anything else.



2. The word "encyclopedia" is sometimes overused, but not in the case of this book by Mary K. Toomey. The reader will enjoy learning about the huge number of clematis varieties with information on each one. The author even includes the different names that some varieties have in the market. This volume is a must for the serious gardener and especially for the clematis enthusiast. I highly recommend it.



3. and readable, and inspirational. i like that it not only gives the usual flower description, plant height, pruning group but also indicates whether a plant is vigorous, compact, proliferous (habit), flowers early spring, late summer, both (flowering period), can grow through shrubs, against a light background, or sprawling on the ground with creeping junipers (recommended use). and the chapter on pruning, and all illustrations within, is priceless esp since i've just started into group A and B plants (i have mostly group C viticellas that i cut to ground level). i think now that i'd like to start a clematis collection, and try out the other species like integrifolia, macropetala, alpina, texensis, and their wonderful varieties. virtually each page is a pleasant surprise of yet another clematis i've never heard of before, splashed with pictures that are just beautiful. this book is definitely drool material for the planthusiast, to be savoured gingerly on a cold and lazy winter day like today :-]



4. I am a gardening fanatic and have collected and enjoyed Clematis vines
   for years. I own over 55 different varieties and have come to enjoy
   reading about the various species. This book is the most comprehensive
   and enjoyable to date. There are many pictures and a lot of detailed
   information. Excellent Resource.

2 comments about Perennial Gardens for Texas.

1. This is the best gardening book on perennial flowers in Texas I have used. It covers every region of the state not just a section. The photos are excellent for planing your own garden or for identifing flowers from a region not familar to you. Ms Ryan has done us amatuers a great service. Thank You Julie!



2. I was very impressed with this book. I read through the whole thing several times. She reviews plants that will grow well in all of the climates in the state, and gives you enough information to be able to judge if you should give the plant you want to grow a try, even if your region isn't the best for it. Very detailed, yet easy to read, and very well written.

No comments about The Gardener's Peony.