Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting & Pruning Techniques [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "THE amount of maintenance a garden requires depends precisely on how the garden was designed or planned..." (more)
Key Phrases: new basal foliage, pruning for height control, sporadic rebloom, Encyclopedia of Perennials, Section Three, Asteraceae Description (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

To pinch or not to pinch is not the only question addressed here. Horticulturist DiSabato-Aust affirms that pinching is essential for plant robustness and an extended blooming season. In addition to explaining how and where to pinch a plant, she details correct techniques for deadheading, effectively removing the mystery from perennial pruning by referring to it "as grooming, shaping, shearing or snipping." Recognizing the diverse styles of gardens and gardeners, she demonstrates how different approaches to pruning can produce varied growth and blooming patterns. Also offered is information on site selection, soil preparation, planting and disease and pest control. Most impressive is the extensive encyclopedia of perennials which, drawing principally on her own field experience, focuses on pruning and maintenance practices. Practical appendices include a month-by-month calendar of pruning and maintenance tasks and a list of perennials arranged in 35 categories related to their specific pruning and maintenance requirements. Beth Ann Daye's line drawings and the author's color photos enhance the clarity of the text and make this book invaluable for both home gardeners and professionals.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Get two copies, one for reference and one for circulation. The last two-thirds is an A-Z Encyclopedia of Perennials with exceptional details on the pruning and maintenance of perennials.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated; illustrated edition edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881924148
• ISBN-13: 978-0881924145
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #131,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #21 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Flowers > Perennials
  #45 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Ornamental Plants

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

184 of 184 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for the Serious (or Want-to-Be) Gardener, June 17, 2000

By A Customer

Finally, a book that doesn't just identify the plant but tells you what to do with it once it is in your garden!Tracy DiSabato-Aust writes in detail about the particular characteristics of each plant, growth patterns and how to maintain the good health and look of each plant. Easy to follow language and excellent descriptions of how to prune, prepare soil and where it thrives best make anyone feel like a professional. I also appreciate the author's personal comments about what she finds most appealing about each plant or how she has used it in her various landscaping projects. The accompaning photos and diagrams show clearly how to prune, before and after pruning, pruning techniques described, landscaping from raw patch to full grown beauty and more. This book was recommended to me by the hortalculturalist at our favorite perennial farm who had a well worn copy on his desk. I have given this book to three other perennial gardeners and continue to receive raves about its helpfulness. If you already have an encyclopedia of perennials, this is the next one for your library and garden!

118 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best general gardening book I've read all year!, October 17, 1999

By	Dee Dixon (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

As an avid reader and passionate gardener, I have to tell you this is a great book....simply a must for your bookshelf. The book begins with a thorough explanation of soil preparation and some basic ideas on designing with perennials and then gets right to the the heart of it's real message...teaching innovative perennial pruning and maintenance techniques...not only the hows but the whys as well. If that isn't enough there is a very good perennial plant encyclopedia with each plant's maintenance regimen described fully according to the procedures we have just learned. This is cutting edge (please excuse the pun) gardening, but is based on common sense and patient observation. We are encouraged to get out in our gardens and watch how our own plants grow and then how they respond to our care... or lack of it. New gardeners will learn their skills the right way and us old dogs will just have to learn a few new tricks!

93 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the beginning gardener!, September 5, 2001

By	Tom Krischan (Big Bend, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is composed of three main sections. The first section has 104 pages of garden advice and technique: 26 pages are on soil discussions, bed preparations, and maintenance factors. 12 pages on planting techniques, mulching, and fertilizing. 10 pages on pests and disease. 56 pages on pruning, deadheading, thinning, staking, division and seeding.

The second section is an encyclopedia of 179 perennials (about 100 pages). Each perennial is described by growing zone, common name, scientific name, size, and flowering season. Each plant contains a paragraph or two about pruning, maintenance, and related plants. The majority of the plants listed grow in zones 4-8.

The third section of 50 pages contains the appendix, glossary, and index. Information covers 4 pages on ornamental grasses, 8 pages on monthly maintenance planning (broken down by what to do each month), 36 lists of recommended perennials for specific growing conditions, USDA zone map, 5 page glossary, 2 page bibliography, and a 13 page index by plant name.

The book also includes informative photographs. 64 full color pages of garden designs, techniques, and planting ideas. Each picture is captioned by a descriptive comment identifying what technique or characteristic is being shown in the photograph.

This is a great book for the beginning gardener, and even the garden expert might learn a thing or two. It contains clearly described gardening techniques, maintenance advice, planting recommendations, an encyclopedia of common perennials, photographs and a glossary. The book is filled with solid information and comments gained from garden experience. No fluff here.

An excellent garden technique book. Especially useful for the beginning perennial gardener. A great buy!