Ther
e's no better way to begin thinking about spring than with two new, informative books about plants. Allan Armitage, a professor at the University of Georgia, Athens, and one of the best-known horticulturists in the US, is out with a new one on native North American plants. He describes in detail all you need to know to successfully grow, maintain, and propagate 630 species and cultivars of perennials, biennials, and annuals. It's also got more than 400 photos to help you identify the ones you particularly covet for that new border. (Timber Press).
Second, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has a very handy new book on designing borders for sun and shade by Bob Hyland, former VP at the BBG and now co-owner of Loomis Creek Nursery in NY's Hudson River Valley. Not only does it give you border design basics -- it describes each plant (including shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs and ornamental grasses) in detail, with hardiness zones and growing tips. Especially useful is the section suggesting companion plantings that accompanies each plant description.
I will have to check out some of these books. Thanks for the info!
Posted by: Lily | January 27, 2006 at 01:42 AM