What Plant Where

I am an experienced gardner, but refer to this wonderful book often. Since I live and garden in the Pacific NW with a climate much like Britain, the relevance is perfect. Even though I have many wonderful gardening books, the pictures in this one and the specific locations noted that plants thrive in are why I keep coming back to it. There is always a list of plants not featured in each section, so if I want something other than a featured plant, I can look it up in one of my other gardening books. I've never gone wrong following the suggestions from this book.

Normally I shy away from British gardening books for a variety of reasons. All to frequently they feature plants that are difficult for American gardeners to find. Many of the plants that flourish in Britain struggle to survive in much of the US and vise-a-versa. In addition, frequently British design books discuss formal gardens, showing pictures of gardens around palaces or castles. As I have yet to have a client request a garden design for their castle, I find these books irrelevant to modern day America. Consequently, I was quite shocked when I learned the author of the wonderfully practical book, "What Plant Where", Roy Lancaster, lives and gardens in England.Whether you are an experienced gardener or a neophyte, you will enjoy this book. The book divides plants into five categories: perennials, climbers, shrubs, conifers and, trees. Within each of these categories it addresses what plants will grow in specific conditions, such as: against warm sunny walls; cool moist soils in shade; alkaline soils: etc... It also delineates plants with specific characteristics, such as shrubs with berries. The photographs of the plants are also excellent.One of the best features about this book is it specifies plants that are resistant to rabbits! While there are numerous books that address plants that are resistant to deer, few address the problem of rabbits.The book has two minor deficiencies. First, the list of plants the author recommends for a given growing condition or attribute is typically far from complete. Nevertheless, it provides a solid starting point for the beginner gardener and a memory jogger for the more experienced gardener. Second, as is all too common in the horticulture industry, the author fails to adequately discuss which plants will perform well in partial shade. While many plants perform best in full sun, many will tolerate partial shade. Hence, the gardener with a partially shady garden is given the impression that they are restricted to a very few plants, which is not the case.

Over the years I have purchased several books that list landscaping plants by specific characteristics. This is by far the nicest pictorial listing. Lancaster begins with 5 catagories: perennials, climbers, shrubs, conifers, and deciduous trees. In each catagory he pays attention to such details as size & shape; soil, sunlight & position; seasonal interests & color; and special features such as attraction for birds & animals, fragrance, thorns, fruits, etc.As usual with DK books, I find this a quality book with excellent photos reproduced on good paper. This is a good beginner to intermediate landscaping book.I give this book a 4 and not a 5-star rating because I feel the addition of charts would be helpful -- for instance, to find something in my zone, I have to refer to the details under each picture. A chart would save so much time and organize in yet another way, the info presented. Also Lancaster very nicely included a text list of additional plants in each catagory -- but the downside is, since these are just lists of names I have to refer to other books for pictures and details. I still consider this "list" book a must-have for my library. If he comes out with a fatter version I will eagerly buy that too.

I bought this book in the spanish version, and even I paid a lot more, It's totally worth buying. You will find great photos, description of plants needs, etc. I find it very useful and I'm sure you will too. Plus the price is excellent!

Being fairly new to gardening, it was a pleasure to be a able to view each of the plants. Full color pictures show you what they will look like...I ended up taking mine to the nursery with me! Mr. Lancaster makes it easy, concise and informative. After reading his book, I felt I could garden with knowledge!