Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials (ISBN 0875965709)

Amazon.com Review:
Perennials are the most challenging and rewarding of all garden plants, and most gardeners need all the help they can get to grow them well. Perennials emerge from the ground in early spring, grow to full height, bloom, bear fruit, and then disappear with the first frost, only to do the same thing the following year and again the next. Add this to the fact that for the first year or two, perennials don't do much above the ground (they are growing their root structure), but after that they burst forth with amazingly vigorous growth, and you get an idea of the pleasures and tribulations of perennial gardening. The rewards, however, are rich: a wide array of flower forms and colors, structure and leaf, an ever-changing mid-level tapestry in the garden, plus a celebration of seasonal change. Few gardeners can resist perennials, but how to grow them better and more effortlessly? Readers can count on Rodale books to be practical and detailed and to advocate organic gardening. While Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials does give information, as you would expect from Rodale, on soil building, climate, propagation and nontoxic pest and disease control, its emphasis is on design. The advice is down-to-earth, as in a sidebar entitled "Evergreen Perennials: Myth or Reality?" that points out that although some perennials are touted as evergreen, and do keep their leaves through the winter (such as Epimedium, Ajuga, and Bergenia), they are often so tattered by winter storms that they shouldn't be counted on to beautify the garden off-season. Though packed with all sorts of useful information, the meat of the book is the encyclopedia of perennials. From acanthus to yucca, each comes with a color photo, cultural and cultivar information, as well as suggestions on use. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in these rewarding, though somewhat demanding, plants. --Valerie Easton

I was excited based on the other reviews but very disappointed in the end.:
I fell in love with the idea of beginning a perennial garden. The main part of it was to consist of groundcoverings as a lawn substitute. This book is lousy in that area... as a matter of fact it does not have a section that discuss, or even address groundcoverings. They are a significant part of perennials. The sample gardens were okay but I need a more thorough plan. I wanted to use the groundcovering and plant other gorgeous perennials around it.. with an emphasis on shaded areas. I instead hit the internet HARD. I was up all night sometimes researching shaded plants, preparing yard, planting and shaded garden ideas. The best resource is still the internet. It just takes a lot of patience. Oh I have a secret....instead of ordering from Jackson & Perkins and other fancy nurseries look at ebay. Yes EBAY!!!. After buying hundreds of dollars worth of vinca minor (periwinkle) plants I decided that it would cost a fortune to cover my yard. Don't forget I wanted to add Hostas, and other perennials etc. around the perimeter. When I plugged in the word "vinca minor" a lot of nurseries/stores that advertise on Ebay popped up. No they weren't necessarily biddable but to buy them was a dream. I ended buying 500 semi roots (with the root and some of the atual plant attached- fresh out the earth) for about $26.00. You heard me $26.00. I have a total different appreciation for Ebay now. Back to the book. Its okay, but I wasn't that thrilled. A better book was "Jackson & Perkins- Selecting, Growing and Combining Outstanding Perennials". Plus Borderes had it for $2.99 ( I mistakenly ended up buying 2 because I got so happy .lol) Another great book is "Gardeners Problem Solver, by Readers Digest". But the interesting thing is the book titled: "Botanica's Pocket Annuals & Perennials ---over 1000 pages & over 2000 plants listed" looked pretty much the same as Rodales. The only thing they said about vinca minor was not to plant it. This is not true. If you want a solid groundcovering that can withstand foot traffic, shaded areas, and trees with roots that grow outward then this plant is for you. Its not enough to say "don't plant". Tell the whole story, it would have taken a sentence or two. That "don't plant" groundcovering is one of the fastest and most ordered perennials. I wonder why that is... it and other "steppable" groundcovers or even an explanation of a perennial groundcovering would have been nice. SHAME ON YOU RODALES'S. Do as you wish, but beware. Enjoy your garden.

One of my favorites.:
I love references with great info, tips, and I love pictures. That's a big seller for me. Quality pictures with cultivar descriptions. This book delivers. It is one of my favorite perennial reference guides. I refer to it all the time. Inspirational pictures.

My wife's favorite book!:
I purchased this for my wife. She had checked out an older edition from the public library and liked it a lot. She has been reading it at every free moment since it arrived and said it is the best book she's ever had on perennial gardening.

Great Reference:
I wish there were more ideas for each soil type. I garden in clay and it is challenging.

A "Must have" for gardeners!:
Highly recommended reference for both novice and long-time perennial gardeners! I like the alphabetical listing of plants (with pronunciation guide) and also appreciate suggestions for companion plantings.