The Easy-Care Gardening Expert

From a British gardening guru (Hessayon has written 17 Expert books) comes this taut program for gardening with less work. With highly organized graphics, including color-coded tips, charts, photos and four-color illustrations, and a direct, focused text, Hessayon tackles gardening according to four rudiments: appropriate site and soil; effortless plants (evergreens, shrubs and a few plants that require minimal dividing, deadheading, pruning); no bare ground (living groundcovers and mulch prevent weeds); and ""hard"" landscape design (lots of stone, brick, pebbles, bark). Clearly labeled illustrations and plant charts clarify advice about low-care lawns, trees, perennials, annuals, fruits, herbs and vegetables. Text-bytes treat everything from wasteful watering (too little too often) and prudent pruning (if in doubt, don't) to digging (do it once). Neither the anti-gardener's salvation (""the easy-care approach is not the same thing as neglect"") nor the blissful gardener's delight, this volume will prove a helpful reference for the elderly, the infirm or injured, the busy and, yes, the lazy. (Sept.)