From Booklist
In the world of horticulture, Armitage stands out as an authoritative voice that gardeners depend on for guidance. The award-winning writer's formidable expertise and opinionated good humor enliven this fully illustrated compilation of 136 genera of garden-worthy perennials. Alphabetical entries feature illuminating descriptions of plant habits and forms, along with essential cultural advice. Armitage recommends countless varieties that can be depended on to perform well or are particularly lovely specimens. Appropriate U.S.D.A. zones and regions where the plants will thrive are noted, too. With its accessible writing style, abundant color photographs, and final section listing plants suggested for specific conditions or purposes, Armitage's latest work should be considered an essential addition to gardening collections.
Alice Joyce
Review
"Absolutely brimming with excellent full-color photographs." --
HortIdeas"An illustrated guide - full of opinion - to garden-worthy perennials from all over the world." --
Verlyn Klinkenborg, New York Times Book Review , June 4, 2000"Armitage is THE perennial guru, and this...is...the inside word about anything perennial." --
George Weigel, Sunday Patriot News , December 17, 2000"The book is the next best thing to having your own personal garden consultant standing by 24/7." --
Country Living Gardener , July/August 2000"The text is garden writing at its best, I think lively, personal, informative, entertaining, and opinionated." --
Ethel Fried , Garden Notebook"Armitage loves to spin a story. He tells the truth about perennials from his own rich experiences ... With his humorous asides, you will quickly recognize a kindred spirit who wants to grow every plant yet confesses that he has killed his fair share, just like the rest of us."—Barbara Blossom Ashmun, Fine Gardening, March/April 2001 (Barbara Blossom Ashmun
Fine Gardening )
"Has beautiful color photos with descriptions."—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, May 3, 2003 (Joel M. Lerner
The Washington Post )
"Sleek 'pictorial encyclopedia' ... A delight is the light-hearted humor that bubbles throughout."—Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, April 2001 (Carol Bishop Miller
Horticulture )
Armitage loves to spin a story. He tells the truth about perennials from his own rich experiences ... With his humorous asides, you will quickly recognize a kindred spirit who wants to grow every plant yet confesses that he has killed his fair share, just like the rest of us.Barbara Blossom Ashmun, Fine Gardening, March/April 2001 (
Fine Gardening )
Essential for those designing perennial borders. --
John E. Bryan, Gardening Newsletter, March 2000Has beautiful color photos with descriptions.Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, May 3, 2003 (
The Washington Post )
Sleek 'pictorial encyclopedia' ... A delight is the light-hearted humor that bubbles throughout.Carol Bishop Miller, Horticulture, April 2001 (
Horticulture )
User-friendly and fun to read, yet still vastly knowledgeable. --
Carol Stocker, The Boston Globe, February 22, 2001With 1,400-plus color photos, horticultural depth and breadth, and delightfully personal prose by a renowned expert in herbaceous perennials, this is my first-round pick. --
Susan McBride, National Gardening, March 2000
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