Product Description

The title says it all-- there really are perennials for all of your gardening sites and needs. Whether you have a shady spot or want a plant that attracts birds, Perennials for Every Purpose features plants that are perfectly suited to your needs. Author Larry Hodgson expresses his passion for perennials with hands-on advice and tell-it-like-it-is descriptions. Larry never gives up on a plant until he has learned its strengths and weaknesses, and he delivers his hard-won secrets in this book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #422203 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 512 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Hodgson's (Ortho's Guide to Successful Houseplants) comprehensive guide covers every possible situation and condition any gardener of perennials in any climate might encounter. The information is all here in well-organized and easily accessible chapters, enlivened by Hodgson's breezy style. He discusses the usual soil, space and light requirements and offers suggestions for selecting perennials while also alerting readers to elements of color, texture and form. The book is divided into chapters devoted to perennials that are ever-blooming; spring, summer or fall blooming; no-care or low-care; drought-tolerant or water-loving; shade loving; those with fabulous foliage or that make a dramatic impact. (This latter includes ornamental grasses, which are beginning to achieve landscaping star status.) There is even a chapter covering perennials that attract birds and butterflies. Each chapter devotes an entire page to the personality of a specific perennial, along with an invaluable "good neighbor" section detailing appropriate companion plants. The random inclusion of "Fun Facts" (scabiosa, for instance, is reputed to cure scabies) adds a bit of whimsy, and an appendix of USDA climate and heat zones, botanical name derivatives and sources for quality perennials complete this quality book. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
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 hefty book delivers in each aspect and should be a welcome addition to all gardening collections.APhillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Customer Reviews

Perennials For Every Purpose by Larry Hodgson
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.

Best Perennial Book
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.

Excellent book on perennial 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.