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| Author: Jeff Cox
Publisher: Rodale Books
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $6.78
You Save: $10.17 (60%)
New (28) Used (15) from $3.91
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 50170
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 344
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0875968899
Dewey Decimal Number: 635.932
EAN: 9780875968896
ASIN: 0875968899
Publication Date: October 25, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: New - Has remainder mark. Fast shipping from trusted wholesaler with many exclusive publisher contracts.
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| Customer Reviews:
Inspiring and informative August 18, 2006
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Many of my gardening books are useful for referencing the occasional problem or plant profile, but "Perennial All-Stars" was an engrossing read from cover-to-cover. The author has a great deal of enthusiasm for his subject--so much so that I think he picked more than 10 'Top 10' perennials out of his favorite 150.
That's okay. I admire his devotion and his knowledge of the perennial flower kingdom. His 150 all-stars also purport to be easy to grow and maintain, which is what I was looking for when I decided to add to my garden this fall. Unfortunately the author was so persuasive, I'm going to have to dig a new bed to fit in all of my choices from his book.
If you have a rough idea of the plant you're searching for, the front of this book is cross-indexed by various perennial characteristics such as 'spring blooming,' 'deer-resistant,' and 'full shade.'
Each of the perennials that was chosen for this book, is described in the following sections: an overall description and photograph of the plant; how to grow it; propagating the plant (useful especially for the more expensive or hard-to-find perennials); the right site for growing the plant; and other plants that go well with it. A 'spotlight' section summarizes the USDA plant hardiness zones, season of bloom, height x width, color, light requirements, soil requirements, place of origin, and where the perennial and/or its seed can be purchased.
The author tried to choose perennials that would flourish in all of the U.S. hardiness zones, but there are some exceptions that can't take the heat and humidity of the Deep South, e.g. peonies, or won't live through a very cold winter, e.g. Broadleaved Bear's-Breech.
"All-Star Perennials" is very useful and interesting. Just plan on doing some digging when you do read it.
My favorite guide to perenials July 17, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Great book. Very easy read. Best tables I've ever seen-flowers arranged by color, time of bloom, height, etc.
Best gardening book on my shelf April 29, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Over the years I've become a quite seasoned gardener, this book is still one of my favorites. As recently as today I took my torn and tattered copy to the nurseries shopping. Excellent information about each plant and the pictures are some of the best around. And, yes, I've been able to grow them so that my plants look as healthy as the pictures in the book. It is the book all my friends ask to borrow, but I just can't bear to part with it, so I'm buying each of them one for their birthdays.
My All Time Favorite Gardening Book October 17, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have used this book more than any book I have ever owned. The title is totally accurate. When someone tells me their favorite perennial, I always find it is in this book. And the two pages devoted to each plant tell me everything I want and need to know. It is so easy and enjoyable to use, that I find myself browsing through it just for pleasure. I first bought this book about 6 years ago, and recently bought 5 copies for my gardening friends.
I think that proves I really believe this is a great book.
Not gathering dust on my shelf July 2, 2004
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This book has been a great help to me. It is so easy to read and use , I don't know how I got along without it before.
The book gives you 150 of the authors favorite perrenials. They are chosen for, among other things, ease of growing, length of bloom, persistence in not so great soils, beautiful color...etc.
Each flower gets an entire two page spread devoted to it. The author describes how to grow it, where to grow it, how to make the most of it, special tips, and what other flowers will look great with it. There are tons of photos and line drawings as well. There is also an index at the front of the book, breaking down the flowers into specific groups. Say you're looking for a short Spring bloomer for the front of the border, or you are interested in plants that attract butterflies. He has list after list which make it easy to find what you're looking for.
I have spent many an evening just leafing through this book, familiarizing myself with the varieties. Now when I go to the nursery, I know just what to look for.
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