Hardy Perennials

Readers who find gardening both a joy and a challenge will treasure this latest book from Britain's well-known horticulture writer Rice (Garden Flowers from Seed, with Christopher Lloyd). Although he's writing for Britain's zone 8, Rice delivers such a delightfully conversational wealth of information that American gardeners will overcome their sorrow that crocuses don't bloom here in January and relish his observations on other winter bloomers. Grouping his material by seasons, Rice details well-known plants such as irises, hostas and phlox, along with less common entries like hepaticas, penstemons and arums. Each category details many varieties (new and old) and reveals Rice's extensive knowledge about growing and propagating; suggestions for planting combinations are intriguing. Amusing commentary about nomenclature mixes with freely offered opinions: referring to new crosses of hellebores, he says, ``those spiky, spidery ones like fluorescent crabs are more than I can take.'' Jean Emmons's line drawings are simple and effective; varieties are further illustrated by 42 color photos. (Oct.)