Product Description

Growing Perennials in Cold Climates is destined to be a landmark in gardening publishing. It is the first book ever of its kind for perennial gardeners.

Beginning with the 50 best perennial groups to grow in cold climates, the book details both the good and the bad news about these plants in the most reader-friendly, easy-to-follow fashion in the history of gardening publishing. It includes easily accessible information on how to grow cold climate perennials, where to plant them, the different soil types, companion plants, and caring, pruning, and propagation. Fully illustrated throughout, this is the guide that gardeners living in colder climates have been waiting for.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #361074 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

From Booklist
Cold climates, so the authors define, are regions in which winter temperatures can fall below 20 degrees. They list 50 of the most popular perennial groups and, within these groups, give details on 1,700 wild and cultivated varieties best suited to cold climates. There are in-depth profiles of each plant group and descriptions and specific growing details on each variety. Site, light, soil, and moisture requirements are given, along with instructions on planting, caring, and propagation. The authors also offer tips on using the plants as cut-and-dried flowers and on choosing companion plants. Part 2, "The Basics of Growing Perennials," is a crash course in perennial gardening, giving advice on preparing a site, buying potted perennials, composting, watering, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, staking, deadheading, pruning, winter protection, and problems such as diseases and insects. George Cohen

From the Publisher
As many as 65 percent of America's gardeners live in colder regions, and based on extensive market research, gardeners in cold climates need, and are willing to pay for, quality information on growing healthy, hardy perennials. This handsome, comprehensive, and fully illustrated volume presents the 50 best perennials to grow in cold climates, as well as an encyclopedic listing of 1,700 garden-tested plant recommendations of the most hardy varieties. Gardeners will discover everything they could possibly want to know about raising perennials, including how to grow them, where to plant them, facts on soil types, companion plants, caring, pruning, trouble-shooting, and propagation. With tips, hints, and secrets from gardening professionals revealed throughout the book, this is truly the cold climate gardener's bible.

About the Author

Mike Heger is an expert on growing perennials in cold climates and has been honored by the Minnesota State Horitcultural Society.

John Whitman, a member of the Garden Writers Association of America, is a contributing writer to Better Homes and Gardens New Garden Book.

Customer Reviews

The best resource available for nothern gardners!
The best resource I have ever seen detailing the different perennials, how and where to plant, propagation, attractive flower companions and more. The authors detail each plant and provide a list of varities with their recomendations listed in a five star rating system. I have been a serious gardner for 10 years and I have learned more from this book than any other source!

A incomplete book with a lot of filler
While perhaps suitable for a beginning gardener, this book omits many useful and common species while including obscure cultivars that are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Important cultural facts are often missing or buried in the cookie-cutter approach to each species. This book has no index, the omission of which may point to hasty editing. More experienced gardeners should look at books written by Steven Still.

Best book for perennials in the Midwest
I've bought and borrowed numerous books regarding perennials. None has been so complete and well illustrated. Each plant species has varieties listed as well as planting, mulching, pruning, dividing techniques and advice. As an avid perennial gardener, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Kudos to the authors!