Gardening with Perennials: Creating Beautiful Flower Gardens for Every Part of Your Yard

Of particular interest to intermediate gardeners who have caught ""perennial fever,"" as Bradley puts it, this well-organized manual outlines an abundance of strategies for beautifying a home landscape with the help of hardy plants. The contributors cover such basics as soil amendment and starting plants from seeds, but they move on to propose well-designed planting schemes for every conceivable corner of the garden, from shady spots and wetland nooks to slopes, hot spots and high-traffic areas. Such horticultural fantasies as creating an evening or fragrance garden are also indulged. The requirements among a generous range of hardiness zones are addressed (Far North, Desert Southwest, etc.), and an abbreviated but thoughtfully selected encyclopedia of 75 ""classic"" perennials is included. Written with more clarity than finesse, the book is a real boon to those ready to tackle design projects in the garden. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)