Great Canadian Plant Guide. Rev. ed.

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

If you have limited space for a garden library, but have your heart set on owning an illustrated plant guide, this compact volume might prove a worthy investment. Those new to the pleasures of gardening will especially appreciate several aspects of this informative book.

Unlike many guides currently on the market that rely on illustrations or black-and-white photos, the Great Canadian Plant Guide offers up full-colour photographs of 2,000 plants, allowing readers to easily differentiate between similar plants. Seasoned gardeners will easily navigate their way through the book, thanks to the extensive use of botanical names (used due to their international acceptance). Fortunately, the ample index provides some assistance for the Latin-challenged (i.e., those searching for information about a plant that is only known by its common name). Photos of various cultivars are also included.

As would be expected from any plant guide, information regarding appropriate Canadian hardiness zones, soil moisture preferences/tolerances, and sun/shade preferences/tolerances are included to help gardeners select the best plant for specific locations.

A welcome addition is a planting guide that offers plant suggestions for those seeking seasonal colour, shrubs and trees suitable for small gardens, plants with scented foliage or flowers, berry-producing plants, fall-blooming bulbs, plants for winter interest, and so on.