Product Description

Gardeners know that structure is one of the most important elements in a successful garden design. Height is one way to add structure to a landscape. You can plant trees and shrubs, of course, but you also can use easy-to-grow perennials.

Giant Perennials is a fully illustrated guide to adding drama and scale to any garden using plants that grow to about 5 feet. Easy to use and featuring a handy, extended fold-over flap showing plant size, growing conditions, blooming time, flower or foliage, and height and spread, Giant Perennials includes:

• A directory with more than 100 spectacular plants for every type of garden condition
• Suggestions on where, how and what to plant with giant perennials
• Advice on selection and cultivation
• A separate chapter on designing with giant perennials, complete with planting schemes
• Planting for damp or dry conditions, sun or shade
• Using color, foliage, and seasonal features
• Giant perennials in containers
• Practical tips on getting started, routine care, propagation, and controlling pests and diseases.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1830477 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From Booklist
When it comes to adding structure to the garden, size matters. Whether it's a single, dramatic focal point or a sweeping drift of vivid color, plants of unusual size, shape, color or texture can have an enormous impact on garden design. From the commanding crimson of a colossal Canna to the muted majesty of a "Maidenhair" Miscanthus, there is a wealth of larger-than-life perennials offering an astounding array of alternatives to trees and shrubs, which are more commonly used to add verticality and mass to the garden. Profiling dozens of plants that generally grow taller than five feet, Berry explains why and where perennials of this magnitude can be used, from dry to damp, shady to sunny conditions. In this easy-to-use guide, handy icons furnish at-a-glance data on size, site, bloom time, and color, while detailed descriptions offer cultural and maintenance background information. Highlighted by Wooster's dazzling color photographs of individual plants and impressive plantings, Berry offers tantalizing testimony to the power of "thinking big" for innovative garden designs. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
The pictures included are very helpful and illustrative of the major concepts... a must-have resource for gardeners and landscape designers. (LaVerne McKenney Lexington Herald-Leader 20040828)

[Berry's] suggestions for companion planting schemes are exciting and well thought out. (Sherry A. Firing Globe and Mail 2004)

This recommended reference will have a unique spot in any library aimed to respond to the curiosity of amateur gardeners. (Danuta Nitecki American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35 20031210)

Loaded with great color photos and planting information. (Kim Ode Minneapolis Star Tribune 20030401)

Easy-to-use guide ... dazzling color photographs ... tantalizing testimony to the power of 'thinking big' for innovative garden designs. (Carol Haggas Booklist 200306)

Will get you started with some plants you may have known for years... others that will surprise and delight you. (Elaine Juhl Current Books on Gardening and Botany [Chicago Bot 200304)

Practical plants to help add big flowers and foliage to the garden. (Susanna Reid Neil Sperry's Gardens Magazine 20030820)

Book of show-stopping perennials... how to choose, site, care for and take full advantage of such mammoth plants. (Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20030918)

Well-illustrated and sensibly organized reference... Read, plant and stand back. (Robert Howard Hamilton Spectator 20040410)

Gives a romantic side to easy-care plants. Many large perennials are self-supporting, deep-rooted and low-maintenance. (Mary Ann Fink St Louis Post-Dispatch )

Valerie Easton, Seattle Times 08/20/2003
Book of show-stopping perennials... how to choose, site, care for and take full advantage of such mammoth plants.