The Flower Gardener's Bible

January 20, 2003
The Hills recount a visit to a retired farm couple's garden where "flowers were planted in neat cultivated rows, just like their vegetables." Comprehensive formulas for vegetable gardening work, as did the Hills' The Vegetable Gardener's Bible
(which has 135,000 in print), but the flower garden is perhaps too broad a subject for similar treatment. The Hills are skilled instructors in basic techniques—a strength they use well in Part I. Easy-to-read text, a welcoming magazine-like layout and step-by-step photographic guides provide a solid foundation in flower garden fundamentals. Part II, "A Gallery of Gardens," is less helpful, with watercolors accompanying descriptions and plant lists for everything from a garden path to a rose garden. By trying to serve all needs and tastes, this section sometimes overloads rather than whets the imagination. In Part III, the Hills present "species-by-species information" on 261 perennials, annuals, bulbs, wildflowers, shrubs, vines and grasses. While overall the result is sometimes uneven, the handsome color photographs will invite browsing and offer gardeners a good, homey foundation.

February 17, 2003
The Hills recount a visit to a retired farm couple's garden where "flowers were planted in neat cultivated rows, just like their vegetables." Comprehensive formulas for vegetable gardening work, as did the Hills' The Vegetable Gardener's Bible (which has 135,000 in print), but the flower garden is perhaps too broad a subject for similar treatment. The Hills are skilled instructors in basic techniques-a strength they use well in Part I. Easy-to-read text, a welcoming magazine-like layout and step-by-step photographic guides provide a solid foundation in flower garden fundamentals. Part II, "A Gallery of Gardens," is less helpful, with watercolors accompanying descriptions and plant lists for everything from a garden path to a rose garden. By trying to serve all needs and tastes, this section sometimes overloads rather than whets the imagination. In Part III, the Hills present "species-by-species information" on 261 perennials, annuals, bulbs, wildflowers, shrubs, vines and grasses. While overall the result is sometimes uneven, the handsome color photographs will invite browsing and offer gardeners a good, homey foundation.

February 15, 2003
Nurseryman Hill (Secrets of Plant Propagation) teams up again with his frequent coauthor, wife Nancy, to write an introduction to flower gardening that is especially suitable for the beginner. In Part 1, they cover the basics of garden design, soils, planting, propagation, pests/diseases, and maintenance. Their clear text is supplemented by boxed information showing gardening techniques step by step, illustrated with captioned, close-up photographs. Part 2 introduces 23 garden types, from rock gardens to water gardens to herb gardens, with boxes highlighting recommended plants for each. A virtual plant encyclopedia, Part 3 covers by scientific name shrubs, annuals, perennials, and bulbs. Most entries run in length from a third of a page to half a page, furnish a beautiful color photo, and indicate pronunciation, plant type, bloom time, description, USDA hardiness zones, propagation, garden companions, and suggested varieties. Although most libraries will already own books that go into much more detail about the covered subjects (e.g., garden design, water gardening), this concise overview presents a range of possibilities for novices. Recommended for libraries needing a general book on flower gardening for beginners.-Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove P.L., IL

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2003
Although there are entire books devoted to any one of the many subjects covered in the Hills' "bible," comprehensive resources that provide a thorough overview of essential gardening topics are always welcome. Using their practical experiences as hands-on amateur gardeners, the Hills share techniques they find most useful, tips they feel most helpful, and treasured plants they think most reliable for successful flower gardens. Whether sowing seeds in spring or protecting tender roses for winter, fundamental aspects of garden planning, planting, culture, and care are covered, thus making them accessible, especially to those newly bitten by the gardening bug. After showcasing nearly two dozen specialty gardens, from fragrance to foundation, shade to seaside, herbs to hummingbirds, the Hills provide an alphabetical directory of more than 260 flowering shrubs, vines, bulbs, annuals, and perennials that lists critical information such as bloom time, size, site, and pests in a concise at-a-glance format. Helpful appendixes of hardiness and heat zones, plant societies, and a glossary complete this effective and informative compilation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)