Review:
Another wonderful book in this series; however this time, the author is Timothy Leese, who had a varied career as an artist and interior designer before becoming a garden designer and partner in a nursury garden in Norfolk. The book is beautifully and lavishly illustrated with visually stunning photographs by the renowned father and son Harpur team. Father Jerry is a leading award-winning garden photographer and he has contributed to many prestigious publications. Son Marcus was originally a publishing editor, and together they run the Harpur Garden Picture Library. Just what is a perennial? Timothy Leese describes it as a plant that dies back in winter then springs up again the following year. The introduction gives a concise, easily followed and fascinating insight into the historical use of perennials in this country. The pictures almost coming alive, making one want to touch and smell them. Perennials have many attractions: they are instant, colour schemes can be created quickly and easily and conversely, can also be easily dismantled and moved around. They can increase themselves without any help from the gardener, but it still goes without saying that a little research and experimentation into growing habits and conditions will cause them to flourish more easily. This book will certainly help the gardener in this. It has been arranged mainly by garden condition, eg: sunny areas, shady spots, damp conditions and dry sites, to help gardeners choose suitable plants. But there are sections on growing habit also eg: ground cover and foliage interest plants. At the close of each chapter, there is an illustrated plant gallery which draws attention to the most colourful, hard-working and easy-to-grow perennials for that particular garden condition or growing habit and provides important information on colour, height, spread, flowering season and hardiness. The book concludes with a chapter on planting and routine care and is suitable for the novice or experienced gardener alike. Billed as "an inspiring and accessible guide to using perennials to transform your garden into a vibrant and colourful haven", this book lives upto that description. Other books in the series cover bulbs, roses and climbers. --Susan Naylor
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