Hardy Perennials [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Graham Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Now in paperback, this is a delightful book in which a well-known English plantsman makes a season-by-season selection of perennials, describes them evocatively, reveals their histories, and provides ideas on how to grow them successfully and use them imaginatively in the garden. A wonderful combination of entertainment and instruction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers who find gardening both a joy and a challenge will treasure this latest book from Britain's well-known horticulture writer Rice (Garden Flowers from Seed, with Christopher Lloyd). Although he's writing for Britain's zone 8, Rice delivers such a delightfully conversational wealth of information that American gardeners will overcome their sorrow that crocuses don't bloom here in January and relish his observations on other winter bloomers. Grouping his material by seasons, Rice details well-known plants such as irises, hostas and phlox, along with less common entries like hepaticas, penstemons and arums. Each category details many varieties (new and old) and reveals Rice's extensive knowledge about growing and propagating; suggestions for planting combinations are intriguing. Amusing commentary about nomenclature mixes with freely offered opinions: referring to new crosses of hellebores, he says, "those spiky, spidery ones like fluorescent crabs are more than I can take." Jean Emmons's line drawings are simple and effective; varieties are further illustrated by 42 color photos.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Prolific gardening writer Rice has spent many years growing what he calls "hardy" perennials. His latest book features not only many of the popular species but also some that are almost completely unknown to the average gardener. Under the heading "Winter into Spring," he discusses such plants as hellebores, irises, and hepaticas. Delphiniums, geraniums, phlox, campanulas, several kinds of grasses, clematis, peonies, pinks, and carnations are some of the perennials listed in "Summer: The Drowning Season." Rice tells the reader just about everything there is to know about these perennials. In a chapter on geraniums, for example, he discusses where and how to plant them, their color range, foliage, flowers, and hybrids. He also gives a brief history of the plant and offers tips on propagation. Forty-two color photographs and 30 black-and-white line drawings complement the chatty text. George Cohen

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 209 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923389
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923384
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,863,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a Transatlantic Gardener, I write about plants and gardening from our homes and gardens in Pennsylvania (zone 5) and in Northamptonshire (zone 8) in England. It's both exciting and challenging, especially as many of my favorite plants will grow in one of our gardens but not the other!

Originally trained at Kew Gardens in London, perennials and annuals are my special enthusiasms but all plants interest me. I've published a number of books on both subjects including the award-winning Encyclopedia of Perennials, published in association with the American Horticultural Society.

I've also written about sweet peas, small gardens, ornamental vegetables and herbs, and more (take a look at the books in the left) and won awards for writing on both sides of the Atlantic. I'm also a Transatlantic lecturer, my blog at TransatlanticGardener.com was runner-up in the Garden Blog of The Year awards and you'll find my Royal Horticultural Society New Plants blog at RHSNewPlants.co.uk. Or start at my website GrahamRice.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars adequate, but basic; limited appeal, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hardy Perennials (Paperback)

This is not the type of book that captured my interest. I found it too basic and of limited appeal, although it is a solid work and may be more useful for a beginning gardener.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "soul" of perennial gardening soars high in Graham Rice!, January 28, 1998

By 

Gardening Girl (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hardy Perennials (Hardcover)

This splendidly written book not only gives you how-to, but why and wherefore, interspersed generously with noted plantsman Graham Rice's wry humor and keen observations. A true pleasure to read, this is at the top of my list for perennial perusing.

Of note: the British Garden Writers Guild named this "Best book on a single subject" the year it was published, and I find it as useful here in the United States - or anywhere in the world plant lovers might live. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "soul" of perennial gardening soars high in Graham Rice!, January 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hardy Perennials (Paperback)

This splendidly written book not only gives you how-to, but why and wherefore, interspersed generously with noted plantsman Graham Rice's wry humor and keen observations. A true pleasure to read, this is at the top of my list for perennial perusing.

Of note: the British Garden Writers Guild named this "Best book on a single subject" the year it was published, and I find it as useful here in the United States - or anywhere in the world plant lovers might live. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.