Growing perennials in cold climates

This new expanded edition of a gardening standard is just what gardeners need when choosing plants for a region that dips below -20F in winter. The original authors Heger and John Witman team up with Debbie Lonnee, an experienced garden writer and nursery worker in her own right, to revisit the 50 most popular perennial groups. Each plant group is covered in a profile so thorough it even includes information on longevity, years to expected bloom time (from both seed and potted plants), and special uses. Conveniently, nursery sources are listed within the plant group's profile rather than in an appendix (though contact information is limited to an address and phone number). Following each profile is an updated list of varieties deemed reliable in the northern tier of the country. This edition is expanded to include over 2000 varieties (cultivars as well as species), with roughly 500 earning a five-star rating. Part II, a "crash course" in gardening, teaches beginners (and reminds others) about the best practices for planting, propagating, and caring for plants. VERDICT Highly recommended for northern gardeners.-Bonnie L. Poquette, Milwaukee (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.