Better Homes Gardens Perennial Gardening

A highly illustrated, plant-by-numbers guide to planning and planting your ideal garden Whether you're planning your first garden or want to try something new without all the trial and error, Beds and Borders provides easy, step-by-step, illustrated plans for more than ninety garden projects. Each project comes complete with an inspirational color photo and an overhead-plan-view planting plan with a planting grid to show correct spacing and plant size. A plant list accompanies each project and doubles as a shopping list, making it simple and easy to gather all your supplies and plants in one quick trip to your local garden supply store. Features more than ninety garden projects and more than 300 photos and illustrations Includes simple, well-illustrated, step-by-step instructions Provides informative tips and hints, including descriptions of the best plants for specific circumstances, regional notes for ways to adapt gardens for various regions across the country, and frugal gardening suggestions. Offers problem-solution features that detail regional notes to explain the best plants for particular regions and garden plans for difficult-to-landscape features like slopes and shade For first-timers and green thumbs alike, Beds and Borders offers something for every gardener.

Perennials are permanent fixtures in most home gardens, making this complete guide a perfect fit for any home gardener's library. This book will be a comprehensive and accessible reference for planning, planting, and caring for the most popular perennial plants, from the common hibiscus and peony, to new, must-grow varieties. With an easy-to-navigate package, in-depth coverage of basic techniques, and up-to-date information on new varieties and trends, it is perfect for gardeners of all skill levels, from novice to expert. Filled with colorful diagrams, helpful checklists that make shopping and planning a breeze, and easy-to-follow directions for all kinds of projects, it's the perfect guide to planning and maintaining a beautiful home garden, year after year. Chapters will include a primer on understanding perennials, guidance on selecting the best perennials for your region and situation, inspirational ideas for design, including color combinations and plant pairings. An entire chapter of plant-by-numbers plans will provide step-by-step guidance and inspiration for home garden designs. Special features include lists of top perennial plants and at-a-glance seasonal maintenance charts. More than 700 gorgeous color photos throughout, including a plant encyclopedia that features hundreds of perennials, categorized for convenience.

“A veritable goldmine for gardeners.” —Plant Talk We’ve all seen gorgeous perennial gardens packed with color, texture, and multi-season interest. Designed by a professional and maintained by a crew, they are aspirational bits of beauty too difficult to attempt at home. Or are they? The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden makes a design-magazine-worthy garden achievable at home. The new, simplified approach is made up of hardy, beautiful plants grown on a 10x14 foot grid. Each of the 62 garden plans combines complementary plants that thrive together and grow as a community. They are designed to make maintenance a snap. The garden plans can be followed explicitly or adjusted to meet individual needs, unlocking rich perennial landscape designs for individualization and creativity.

Chapter headings include landscaping, trees, shrubs, animals, roses, vegetables, lawns, houseplants and much more.

With literally hundreds of choices, it can be overwhelming to decide which perennials to plant in your garden. Nancy J. Ondra takes the stressful guesswork out of perennial garden planning by offering 52 vibrant designs, each made up of only five plants. Ondra tailors each simple design to a specific set of growing conditions, with plenty of tips to help your planting mature. Enjoy gardens full of sun-drenched blooming flowers and shade-loving greenery for years to come.

Provides information on planning, designing, planting, and caring for flower gardens; contains plans for gardens in a variety of styles; features an encyclopedia of over 450 perennials, annuals, bulbs, roses, ornamental grasses, and ferns; and includes advice from gardeners across the country.

Provides a description of fifty shade perennials and suggests how and where to plant them.

For: Mary A. Reid.