The Random House Book of Perennials: Early Perennials (Pan Garden Plants Series)

This book and Late Perennials (vol. 2) are two of the best gardening books I've ever bought. Other perennial guides give you maybe one, perhaps two photographs of each plant, but these give you photos of nearly every variety and species. Some pictures are of plants in their native habitat, some are set up as specimen sheets, but even these give you a good idea of what the plant looks like. There is also good information about soil, climate, and hardiness. I thought the authors went a bit overboard on the irises, but otherwise they've done a wonderful job. I can't believe there haven't been new editions yet!

Lush and enticing photography. Highly useful growing information: hardiness, bloom season, size, etc. A virtual wish list for every gardener covering the very best of hardy perennials, including new cultivars. I strongly recommend that this book be purchased as a set with the companion Volume II: Late Perennials. The index will direct you to the correct volume and page for each entry. Volume one includes many glorious pictures of peonies, iris, primroses, hellebores and other spring blooming plants. I operate an 8 acre perennial nursery, and read lots of these books, and see this two volume set as a Best Buy. I use it as often as professional reference sets costing hundreds of dollars! You'll love it, too