[.ca] Trees, Shrubs, and Roses for Midwest Gardens: (ISBN 025321470X)

More good reference from Ezra Haggard:
This book is in the same good-looking and useful format as Haggard's first book on perennials. Each plant, tree or shrub has its own page of description, with a picture on the facing page. It's a personal book - these are the plants that over the years (and you can see how many by comparing the author picture on this book with his earlier one) Haggard has discovered really work. If you are making decisions about design, and know nothing about trees, this is very useful. It not only gives some interesting alternatives to the old standbys, it also contains good information on light, water, soil, and ultimate size (which can be critical for shrubs or trees). I've used his advice over and over, and he has never steered me wrong. I met him a while back when he gave a beautiful slide show (he does his own photography) and I was a novice. He was down to earth (so to speak), and equally kind to me as to the local gardening bigwigs.

Tried & True:
What I so enjoyed about this book was the very hands on, forthcoming approach the author has in dealing with his subject. He very much encourages the reader in a way that gives you the feeling you are in his garden with him. No the book doesn't cover a million plants by any means...but those it does discuss provide intersting, precise & tried & true information. I refer to this book often for inspiration..& sometimes just the pleasure of gleaning insight from another gardeners life experience with all these plants & their quirks etc. Highly recommend this for any novice or veteran gardener in the Midwest!