Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste [Hardcover]

Larry Hodgson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0875968236 | ISBN-13: 978-0875968230 | Publication Date: February 2000 | Edition: 1st

The title says it all-- there really are perennials for all of your gardening sites and needs. Whether you have a shady spot or want a plant that attracts birds, Perennials for Every Purpose features plants that are perfectly suited to your needs. Author Larry Hodgson expresses his passion for perennials with hands-on advice and tell-it-like-it-is descriptions. Larry never gives up on a plant until he has learned its strengths and weaknesses, and he delivers his hard-won secrets in this book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hodgson's (Ortho's Guide to Successful Houseplants) comprehensive guide covers every possible situation and condition any gardener of perennials in any climate might encounter. The information is all here in well-organized and easily accessible chapters, enlivened by Hodgson's breezy style. He discusses the usual soil, space and light requirements and offers suggestions for selecting perennials while also alerting readers to elements of color, texture and form. The book is divided into chapters devoted to perennials that are ever-blooming; spring, summer or fall blooming; no-care or low-care; drought-tolerant or water-loving; shade loving; those with fabulous foliage or that make a dramatic impact. (This latter includes ornamental grasses, which are beginning to achieve landscaping star status.) There is even a chapter covering perennials that attract birds and butterflies. Each chapter devotes an entire page to the personality of a specific perennial, along with an invaluable "good neighbor" section detailing appropriate companion plants. The random inclusion of "Fun Facts" (scabiosa, for instance, is reputed to cure scabies) adds a bit of whimsy, and an appendix of USDA climate and heat zones, botanical name derivatives and sources for quality perennials complete this quality book. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Canadian garden writer and lecturer Hodgson is true to his book's title, covering quite a lot of ground in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. Preliminary chapters cover the basics such as getting started, creating a design, and keeping plants healthy. The highlight, however, is the 14 chapters that profile perennials that can be used in unique situations (e.g., dry, wet, sunny, shade, easy-care). Each plant profile includes a photograph, a sidebar listing plant characteristics, and informative paragraphs detailing good companion plants, problems and solutions, and the top performers and recommended varieties for each plant. Other "extras" include a beautiful section of seven garden designs, a glossary of the meanings of botanical names, plant sources, and the American Horticultural Society Heat Zone Map. This hefty book delivers in each aspect and should be a welcome addition to all gardening collections.APhillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1st edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875968236
• ISBN-13: 978-0875968230
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best perennial book out there, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste (Hardcover)

Perennials for Every Purpose is the best perennial gardening book that I've read. It is so well organized that finding information on a huge variety of plants is very easy. The author's frank and helpful articles let the reader know all the ins and outs of each plant type. It is divided into sections referring to plants for sun, shade, spring-, summer-, fall-, and ever-blooming characteristics as well as many others. If you're looking for the perfect perennial for your specific need, the is the perfect book for you. Enjoy and happy gardening.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on perennial gardening, August 28, 2000

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste (Hardcover)

Canadian garden writer and lecturer Hodgson is true to his book's title, covering quite a lot of ground in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. Preliminary chapters cover the basics such as getting started, creating a design, and keeping plants healthy. The highlight, however, is the 14 chapters that profile perennials that can be used in unique situations (e.g., dry, wet, sunny, shade, easy-care). Each plant profile includes a photograph, a sidebar listing plant characteristics, and informative paragraphs detailing good companion plants, problems and solutions, and the top performers and recommended varieties for each plant. Other "extras" include a beautiful section of seven garden designs, a glossary of the meanings of botanical names, plant sources, and the American Horticultural Society Heat Zone Map.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on perennials, April 21, 2000

By 

Kathleen R. Pearson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perennials For Every Purpose: Choose the Plants You Need for Your Conditions, Your Garden, and Your Taste (Hardcover)

This book is well organized, has very helpful tips, and an interesting selection of plants, not just the old stand-bys. A worthwhile buy, even if you already have many other books on the subject.