Perennials for Alberta

Debbie Feisst is the reference/Internet resources librarian in the
Information Services Division of the Edmonton Public Library.

Many prairie gardeners dream wistfully of beautiful, colourful gardens
like those that grow in Western and Eastern Canada. Prairie authors and
Master Gardeners Donna Dawson, Patricia Hanbridge, and Laura Peters have
produced a pair of excellent reference books for prairie green
thumbs—beginner and expert alike—that tackle our unique prairie
problems. Dawson is known internationally for ICanGarden.com, a major
Canadian gardening resource website. Hanbridge, a Saskatoon-based
horticulturist, is the program coordinator for horticultural programs at
the University of Saskatchewan and a regular contributor to gardening
periodicals and radio shows. Peters is a career gardener and prolific
writer on garden topics.

Both volumes help you choose plants that can survive and thrive in a
somewhat harsh climate. They begin with basic information on preparing
the garden; choosing plants based on soil, light, and moisture
conditions; and problems such as pests. A detailed section on perennials
is also included. The bulk of each book comprises over 90 entries on
individual perennials. Each entry for a plant is accompanied by several
photographs and a useful description. Information on planting, growing,
plant size, and flowering times is also included. Plants are listed by
both botanical and popular names.

Both of these books contain quick reference charts, glossaries, and
well-prepared indexes, and are generously illustrated with beautiful
colour photographs.