Complete Guide to Flower Gardening

Of all the many flower gardening books I have, this one is THE BEST. It has everything you need to know in easy reference formats. Fabulous useful lists like "Long-Blooming Perennials" and "Easy Care Annuals" and "plants for wet or boggy sites" and "shade loving plants" and lists by color, shape and height are part of the first section of the book, then the last section is an encyclopedia of annuals and perennials that tells all you need to know in a short section for each plant. There is much more. I use this more than any other garden book.

First, let me explain, my husband is the gardener, I am the book reader, so we really got together on this one. He moves the perennials and shrubs around and changes the garden plan so often that I wouldn't dare attempt to cross the garden at night without fear of running smack into a Burning Bush! The ultimate result of his long and dedicated devotion to the garden has produced some spectatular results and much can be attributed to this terrific book. First of all, it told him everything he was doing wrong, and his response to that was, "Oh my ..., I've been working on this for five years and made every mistake in the book!" Secondly, it told him how to do it right. The book covers absolutely everything from planning, choosing the proper plants for the proper location and soil, and how to create symmetry in your garden. The photography is beautiful and the encyclopedia of garden plants is worth its weight in gold! Three cheers for Better Homes and Gardens for giving us this "can't do without it book." Every gardener, hobbyist or professional, will find something of value here, and hopefully, you will learn where to put the Burning Bush....before it goes into the ground.

This book has all the information you need to keep your garden looking great. It has tips on how to plan your garden, buy your plants, do the actual planting, and maintain your garden. And as all Better Homes and Gardens books, everything is presented in an easy to read and reference format with great how to pictures. The best part of the book is the plant encyclopedia. The encylopedia is a fairly complete listing of all annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, grasses, and trees with pictures, common names, botanical names, breif descriptions, and planting conditions. A must have reference for every gardener and budding gardener.

The "Better Homes And Gardens Complete Guide To Flower Gardening" is the most comprehensive guide I have come across for the novice or experienced gardener. The book is organized so that you can fully understand the different types of flowers needed for the type of soil, light, and moisture conditions in your yard. It explains in detail the different styles of gardens, so that you may design your garden according to the many landscape examples provided in the book, or use the knowledge learned from the book to design your own. My favorite section of the book is the organized catalog of the different types of flowers and grasses, detailing their growth patterns and environmental needs, as well as a color picture of each plant. Without this book my yard would still be a vast wasteland of crabgrass and wild violets and clover! Needless to say, I LOVE THIS BOOK! Now when I walk out my door, I can stop and smell the roses!

The most complete and informative source for selecting, designing and cultivating a gorgeous flower garden. I keep buying new books--but keep going back to this one for inspiration