The New Flower Gardener,

This book has all the things that it has taken me four years to learn through trial and error: what flowers bloom at the same time, what to do, when, and how, ideas for keeping clematis roots cool. :) Although it has a few design tips, its focus is mostly on individual plants. It has glossy two page spreads on 41 different plants, as well as sections in the front on general seasonal garden care and propagation. The information is concise, helpful, and manageable. You can look at the pages, enjoy the pictures, take what information you want and leave the rest. In the wintertime when there are no flowers outside, you can revive yourself with the the beautiful Dorling Kindersley photographs. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides are suggested occasionally, but most of the methods are organic. My only complaint about this book is that it is written for a slightly warmer climate than my own zone 6. This is not a complaint so much as a wish: I wish someone would write a book like this for my zone! Still, most of this information transcends hardiness zones and should be helpful to anyone who is starting a flower garden. Don't make the same mistakes I did, buy this book instead.

The categorization is fresh and appealing, and the section on each plant has exactly the information I wanted. I would have liked a little more about the varieties listed as her "favorites." There aren't too many unusual plants, but this book is so nice to read and look at I've spent a lot of pleasurable time with it.

I love flower picture books, and this is one of my favorites. The photography is outstanding! I especially like the back instruction pages with sections devoted to topics such as winter flowers, fast growing flowers, flowering climbers, flowers for shade,scented flowers, flowers to attract butterflies, etc ...Beautiful to set out on a table and instructional as well. A must for all flower lovers.