Perennial gardening can be easy, fun and rewarding, especially when you have this beautifully illustrated guide at your fingertips. With detailed accounts of 92 different perennials, along with information on 569 recommended varieties and cultivars perfect for Illinois gardens, this book takes the guesswork out of perennial gardening. The authors share their commonsense and practical advice to help you transform any patch of ground into a spectacular garden you can enjoy year after year: * Flower and foliage colors * Height and spread ranges * Blooming periods * How and when to start your plants * Planting strategies * Light, water and nutrient needs * Choosing perennials for any location--wet or dry, clay or sandy, sunny or shady * Over 450 color photographs.
I really like all the "Illinois" books by this pair of authors, but I sure wish they gave the botanical names for the plants! They only use common names, and unless you're looking for the specific common name the authors use, it's hard to locate the page for a plant. I don't think it would have hurt to include the genus, species and family names somehwere on each plant's page. After all, the botanical name is the only true name for any plant.
Concise and well organized
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Besides the color pictures on every page of this book, there is an extremely useful table at the back that lists all the plants in the book, their color, their height, when they bloom, their height, the amount of light they need, the soil conditions, USDA zone # and page number in the book.So if you need to find a plant for a certain part of your garden with certain characteristics, simply scan the the handy table then look it up on the page # to see the color picture and a concise description of: when to plant, how to grow it, planting tips, and problems/pests to be concerned about.
Super Duper
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I purchased this book for my public library and it has been very popular. This is a fantastic gardening resource for all green thumbs in Illinois because all the information is specific to growing in Illinois. Wonderful color pictures on every page. I can't wait to purchase Aldrich's other books! Highly recommended.
Outstanding photos and plant information
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I picked up a copy of this book at Chicago Flower and Garden show recently, and found it written to reach not only the master gardener, but also the novice or inspired homeowner wishing to fill their gardens with perennials native to the area. The photos are clear and precise, making identification easy for the untrained eye. The book provides accurate information for growing conditions in Illinois. I will recommend this book to my college interns and fellow members of several garden clubs as well as homeowners I design perennial gardens for.Highly recommended.
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