Product Description

One of the most creative gardening guides on the market!

Years of experience answering questions on what to grow in problem sites -- plus an impressive career at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum and plenty of practice in his own garden -- make Roy Lancaster one of the best-qualified writers to advise on which plants to grow where. Infallible selection system. Perfect Plant Perfect Place is an invaluable, updated compilation of Roy's best-selling titles What Plant Where, What Perennial Where, and What Houseplant Where. It recommends plants for every situation, both in the garden and in the home. In each section, such as "Soil & Exposure," "Location," "Shrubs," and "Perennials," he takes different sites or conditions and offers an inspired selection of suitable plants. He also considers desired effects -- perhaps planting to attract butterflies, or for autumn colors -- and lists his choice for achieving these. Instant advice. Plant suggestions are illustrated with magnificent color photographs, supported by notes on the plant's special features and size, hardiness, and light and soil requirements -- in short, all the facts you need to guarantee the perfect choice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209289 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
Roy Lancaster worked at the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens and the Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire before becoming the first curator of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum in 1970. Since 1980 he has been a freelance writer, plant explorer, and broadcaster. He has written many books, including What Houseplant Where and What Perennial Where (also published by DK), and regularly contributes to various magazines, including the Royal Horticultural Society's journal The Garden.

Customer Reviews

A plant for EVERY place!
What's useful about this book is that it addresses many common siting problems for outdoor and indoor gardeners, alike: light (or lack of it) and moisture (or dryness), and various combinations of these; pollution issues; plants suitable for particular garden "jobs" such as screening, ground cover, or containers; perennials with a long flowering season or low allergens. There are also sections that address specific "shopping lists": shrubs with fragrant leaves or ornamental fruit; climbers with fragrant flowers; various kinds of bamboos -- and so much more. Although about three-fourths of the book addresses outdoor plants, a hundred pages or more are devoted to houseplants in categories such as: houseplants for beginners; plants tolerant of neglect; herbs for growing indoors; unusual foliage; orchids; and much, much more.

The photographs are numerous, colorful, and large enough to display useful detail. Annotations about each plant (and cross references for other suitable plants, which may be listed in other categories) provide enough information to get started: zone, size, light requirements.

Although one might quibble a little about whether information might have a bit more depth in places, this book is an indispensable guide simply because no other reference approaches its scope. In addition, as a DK book, it is put together in a way that can accept the inevitable flipping through (you will not be able to avoid simply browsing, believe me) as well as the harder work to which reference books are always put. It's a book to use and enjoy.

This is a terrific book!!
This is a terrific book!! I bought this for my husband a year ago, when he first decided to embark on raising exotic house plants. We both love the book & still refer to it often. When we are redesigning a room, it also is a great reference for plant planning. This one is a must have for indoor & outdoor gardeners!!

Perfect Book
This is the most useful gardening book ever. Cross-referenced by soil, color and type, this is the one gardening book to select plants and trees. A minor caveat; I wish he had included more American common plant names. I wish Lancaster would write a similiar book on trees alone.