Tough Plants for Northern Gardens: Low Care, No Care, Tried and True Winners

As a beginning gardener, this book has helped me quickly focus in on plants that will work where I live. The pictures are great for identifying neighbors' plants. His descriptions are brief, but more candid (and helpful) than the dry, encyclopedic listings which can be found in other books. Plus his writing is fun to read. I initially borrowed this (and many many many others) from the library. This is one of the few I am buying for ongoing reference.

I live in the upper Midwest, where the climate is extremely cold, wet, and windy, ( except when it's extremely hot, wet and windy) and the growing season is short. But with the help of this book, I learned how to avoid spending money on plants and garden items that just don't work. That means more money to spend on plants that do work, and more free time to enjoy them. If you live in the region covered by this book, have a garden, or would like have a garden, you really need this book. If you have been baffled or thwarted by all the gardening books and magazines that seem to make things too complicated, or if you just don't know where to start, you need this book! It lives up to the title, because the plants listed in this book really do grow beautifully in our climate with hardly any effort, once you get them in the ground. There is enough variety to satisfy just about anyone's taste in colors and plant forms, and most of the plants are easy to find in your local nursery. I loved the author's sense of humor and his wonderful attitude-finally someone with the sense to say what I always wanted to hear. Lazy gardening is good gardening!!

This is the best gardening book I own. Orginally, I borrowed it from my local library for 6 months. I just couldn't take it back-kept renewing it and renewing it. It was indispensable. Finally, I broke down and bought 5 copies - for myself, my mother and all my friends. Mr. Rushing gives great advice for northern gardners, as we are kind of a "special" club. Also, he has a wonderful sense of humour, so the book is enjoyable to read. I still snicker over some of his comments. It is a great gift for ANY "Northern Gardener," novice or expert.