Perennials for Minnesota and Wisconsin

I got into flower gardening three years ago and got this book. I barely knew the difference between a perennial and an annual at the time. It has been invaluable in helping me choose perennials for certain sites in my yard, as well as suggesting particular cultivars based on color, growth habit, etc. I also appreciate the extra information on continuing to care for the plants I choose, particularly about pruning, dead heading, and dividing. I liked this book more than several others I have because there are no illustrations--only beautiful, full-color photos. I don't think an illustration is very helpful when trying to picture a new plant in my yard. One criticism I have is that there are very few pictures that show the entire plant. Usually there is a close up of the leaves or blooms. I would appreciate being able to see what the plant would look like from farther away. I have the same complaint about perennial catalogs and websites, though, too. My yard looks beautiful and I have gained a lot of confidence as a new flower gardener thanks in large part to this book. I would purchase an updated version should the author write one in the future.

This book is very user-friendly and full of helpful information for the amateur gardener, which I am. It is laid out in a very helpful manner and gives much information about each plant discussed, including personal experiences of the author with various perennials. It is filled with lovely color photographs of all the plants, as well as text about each one in alphabetical order. I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning about perennials that work in the climates of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

I've never written a review before, but I really love this book. Any gardener in Minnesota should have this one. It's full of beautiful color pictures and all the information you need to create your own borders: the height, spread and when to expect the bloom. The information is straight to the point and easy to reference.

This book is so great! Finally a book that singles out the plants that are hardy specifically for the Minnesota garden. It has really helped me to plan my garden beds with confidence. A must if you are a starting out gardener.

Finally, after paging through piles of gardening guides, falling in love with flowers and then discovering they grow only in Zone 9-10, I came across this beautiful, handy book. Thoughtfully laid out, the book is an indispensible guide for those of us living in Zones 3-6. The authors are obviously well-versed in gardening in the upper Midwest and have put together this book with beautiful pictures and descriptions of the plants, as well as straight-forward thoughts on growing and maintaining the plants. The perfect book to study during the long cold winters and then take with to the nursery in the spring.