Product Details
Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste

Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste
By Larry Hodgson

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Product Description

The title says it all-- there really are perennials for all of your gardening sites and needs. Whether you have a shady spot or want a plant that attracts birds, Perennials for Every Purpose features plants that are perfectly suited to your needs. Author Larry Hodgson expresses his passion for perennials with hands-on advice and tell-it-like-it-is descriptions. Larry never gives up on a plant until he has learned its strengths and weaknesses, and he delivers his hard-won secrets in this book.


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #470228 in Books
  • Published on: 2000-02
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 512 pages

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Hodgson's (Ortho's Guide to Successful Houseplants) comprehensive guide covers every possible situation and condition any gardener of perennials in any climate might encounter. The information is all here in well-organized and easily accessible chapters, enlivened by Hodgson's breezy style. He discusses the usual soil, space and light requirements and offers suggestions for selecting perennials while also alerting readers to elements of color, texture and form. The book is divided into chapters devoted to perennials that are ever-blooming; spring, summer or fall blooming; no-care or low-care; drought-tolerant or water-loving; shade loving; those with fabulous foliage or that make a dramatic impact. (This latter includes ornamental grasses, which are beginning to achieve landscaping star status.) There is even a chapter covering perennials that attract birds and butterflies. Each chapter devotes an entire page to the personality of a specific perennial, along with an invaluable "good neighbor" section detailing appropriate companion plants. The random inclusion of "Fun Facts" (scabiosa, for instance, is reputed to cure scabies) adds a bit of whimsy, and an appendix of USDA climate and heat zones, botanical name derivatives and sources for quality perennials complete this quality book. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
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. This hefty book delivers in each aspect and should be a welcome addition to all gardening collections.APhillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Perennials for Every Purpose is the nest best thing to having a friendly expert whispering in your ear as you plan, plant, and perfect your perennial garden. This book is a treasure!"--Susan McClure, author of Easy-Care Perennial Gardens and The Free-Spirited Garden

"This book is packed with lots of useful information for the beginning gardener, and its a great refresher for the experienced gardener as well. Perennials for Every Purpose is certainly a welcome addition to my perennials library!"--Frederick McGourty, owner of Hillside Gardens in Norfolk, Connecticut, and coauthor of Perennials: How to Select, Grow and Enjoy

"In this solid perennials encyclopedia, Larry Hodgson gives personal, hands-on advice to flower gardeners everywhere. You'll find his excellent mix of widely popular perennial standouts and very desirable, lesser-known flowers a great source of inspiration when working in your perennial border. I especially appreciate the 'Good Neighbors' information provided with each plant. It's invaluable when selecting companion plantings."--Jacqueline Heriteau, author of the American Horticultural Society Flower Finder


Customer Reviews

The best perennial book out there5
Perennials for Every Purpose is the best perennial gardening book that I've read. It is so well organized that finding information on a huge variety of plants is very easy. The author's frank and helpful articles let the reader know all the ins and outs of each plant type. It is divided into sections referring to plants for sun, shade, spring-, summer-, fall-, and ever-blooming characteristics as well as many others. If you're looking for the perfect perennial for your specific need, the is the perfect book for you. Enjoy and happy gardening.

Excellent book on perennial gardening5
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.

One of the best books on perennials5
This book is well organized, has very helpful tips, and an interesting selection of plants, not just the old stand-bys. A worthwhile buy, even if you already have many other books on the subject.