The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

Gardeners who prefer to research plants and consider expert advice on garden design before turning the first shovel of dirt will love Tracy DiSabato-Aust’s revised and expanded book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden. This well-designed volume, peppered with stunning photos from the author’s gardens, contains a career’s worth of experience from one who gardens personally and professionally. The book begins with a practical discussion of garden design and explains how the bed geometry and choice of plants will determine the maintenance required to keep the garden in top condition. As a sometimes trial-and-error gardener I must confess I often choose the plant based on the bloom and have introduced several demanding species into my garden space. From soil preparation to dividing and pruning, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden takes the reader through the steps of successful perennial gardening. The “Encyclopedia of Perennials” section of the book offers detailed descriptions and care tips for more perennials than I will ever fit into my garden. The author provides thirty-six lists of plants by maintenance type such as perennials that tolerate wet soil, clay busters, deer-resistant perennials and so on. The reader can choose a plant then turn back a few pages to the alphabetical section to learn more about it and to see how the mature plant might present itself. Coupled with those valuable lists is a month-to-month planting and maintenance schedule. I highly recommend The Well-Tended Perennial Garden for new and experienced gardeners. This excellent book continues to provide hours of learning and enjoyment as I thumb through and highlight selections I need to remember. My wife has inserted numerous bookmarks for plants she would like to add to our garden.

excellent copy, colorful pictures, lots of information - a great reference book to own

I love the specific details of how to care for the perennials in my yard, everything from fertilize to prune. Love this book!!

Your never to old to learn new things! Read a Book!

Well-written book on gardening. The author explains soil, light, and other items to consider when planting a garden. How much time can you devote to caring for a garden? Which plants require the most care - or the least care. This book will help make it easier on all of us. No more guess work if you plan ahead for success. The colored pictures are beautiful and the plants are shown and described.

A go-to reference for all things perennial related, with all of the common species and many uncommon ones too. Care and propagation tips. Be sure to get the latest revision of the book.

Very helpful reference with good photos, and clear info on all aspects of growing and caring for perennials.

I was very hesitant to purchase this book as I have many, many other books on perennials but a friend encouraged me to do so and I am very glad I did. Similar to other books it has guidance on basic perennial gardening as well as an encyclopedia of plants. What makes this different? First, it is the BEST description of the differences and proc/cons between pruning and cutting back as well as among pinching, disbudding, thinning and deadheading. These practices really are different and I feel much more empowered. Second, it provides pruning and maintenance tips specific for each type of perennial. This allows you to know in advance what you might want or need to do to be successful. Am very happy with purchase.

This book is a keeper! I like books that give a description of the plants and how they are best used in design. I will refer to this book often. I've gardened for the last 40 years so I know this author knows her stuff. It's very useful when planning a new garden bed.

Brilliant book with loads of useful information - will use it forever ! Arrived reasonably quickly.

really useful book

The book is very informative very good for your home and Garden

great book