Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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 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.

For anyone living in the Northern part of the US or Canada, this book is a must. I especially appreciated the honest if opiniated descriptions of the strenghts and weaknesses of each plants. Care and propagation is also sensibly put forth, all the emphasis given to the concerns of the gardeners in zone 5, 4 and even 3.

Although I have many books on gardening and perennials, this one is my absolute favorite. It's a wonderful resource for selecting, planting, and propagating hundreds of different perennials. Each plant is fully described on two pages with gorgeous photography. I especially like the "Plant Profile" section which offers a thumbnail description of color, size, hardiness, and several other factors. This enables the reader to instantly determine whether a particular plant will work in a given space. I also like the author's notes on "Problems and Solutions" for each plant. His blunt, honest, and humorous comments have saved me from planting beautiful, but migraine-inducing, flowers. A great reference and fun to read.

I have been gardening for over twenty years. I live in zone seven. I have found Larry Hodgson's book extremely helpful and his advice right on target. He provides plant identification (photos and written), the plant's best and worst growing conditions, and companions for each plant. He takes the guess work out of perennial gardening allowing the gardener great success. Amazon helped me find the book at a great price.

this is one of my favorite books . it is easy to read and nd gives good info for so many flowers in the midwest. even though it is ten years old the info is still up to date. thanks ss

What ever you need to know about perennials, this book probably has it. Wonderful color photos, clear and concise information, how they grow, when, where, with what other plants, color, time of year, problems and solutions, common and scientific names -- this book has it all. Best of all is Part 2, Choosing the Best Perennials. What ever condition you have, this book will tell you what to grow there. A 'must have' for anyone serious about perennial gardening.

This book is my absolute favorite gardening book. Author includes a warning on those plants that can be overbearing. A great gift book for the beginning or seasoned gardener.

It is simply the best book on the market if you are looking for a book on Perennials ONLY.